> Tuner Special: Brabus Rocket Blasts CLS to 730 HP

We see the term "world's fastest" bandied about with increasing frequency. But when the press release comes from Mercedes tuning specialist Brabus, we tend to sit up and read a little more closely.

Brabus most recently is claiming the title of "world's fastest street-legal sedan" for its Rocket, based on the Mercedes CLS. Earlier this year, the Brabus team set the mark at 362.4 km/h (225.2 mph), then eclipsed their own record in mid-October at the Nardò high-speed test track in Southern Italy, nudging the bar to 365.7 km/h (227.2 mph).

To refresh your memory, the Rocket boasts a twin-turbocharged Brabus SV12 6.3-liter engine under the hood, refitted with new cams, crank and forged pistons, as well as a high-performance stainless-steel exhaust system with low-back-pressure metal catalytic converters.

The SV12 churns out 730 horsepower, while torque is electronically limited to 811 pound-feet.

If you choose to buy the street-legal Rocket, Brabus has also governed the top speed to a mere 350 km/h (217.5 mph), although owners can take some comfort in knowing that zero to 60 mph is achieved in less than 4.0 seconds.