Watch this 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS55 AMG beat a Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 in a quarter-mile drag race.
This drag race between a 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS55 AMG and a 5th generation Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 was originally shared to the forum by MBWorld member 1SickCLS from the YouTube channel of Kevin Berthelot. Most people would expect that the supercharged muscle car would be able to easily beat the sleek luxury sedan, but with a better launch and plenty of power on the top end – the big Benz beats the blown Camaro.
The Competitors
The 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS55 AMG is powered by a supercharged 5.4L V8, which in stock form delivers 469 horsepower and 516lb-ft of torque. The AMG does have an upgraded heat exchanger and pump system, along with an exhaust system without the factory resonators, but nothing has been done to add a significant amount of power.
The 5th gen Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is powered by the supercharged 6.2L LSA V8, which provides 580 horsepower and 556lb-ft of torque via a manual transmission. There are no details on this particular Camaro ZL1, but we would guess that it is stock or near-stock.
The Race
The quarter mile battle between the 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS55 AMG and the Camaro ZL1 is captured from a rear-facing GoPro on the Mercedes. The race begins right away and within a few seconds, the Camaro comes into view as the CLS55 pulls to an early lead. The Mercedes continues to pull away until half-track or so, at which point the Camaro manages to stay within a few car-lengths of the AMG sedan.
Really, this comes down to the CLS55 getting off of the starting line better, but even on the top end, the supercharged muscle car isn’t closing the gap.
"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.
"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.
"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.
"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.
"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.
