Kicherer Mercedes-Benz GL 42 Black Line

Kicherer wrangles 360 hp and 900 Nm of torque of of the GL 420 diesel

By Alex Ricciuti
February 4, 2009 3:28 PM
Filed Under: German, Mercedes-Benz, Tuners

Tuning a diesel can't be boring. The challenge of getting that Nm reading somewhere close to the OCD- satisfying round number of 1000 must have a particular appeal.

Here the Kicherer Mercedes-Benz GL 42 Black Line reinvents the Mercedes GL 420 CDI. It takes the diesel V8 to 900 Nm - close enough - and ups the horsepower to 360. Maximum speed on this SUV is raised to 280 km/h (174 mph). Any more than that and you risk the GL doing a headstand.

But the suspension tuning takes care of those dangers and lowers and stiffens the GL to make it more nimble on the road. Why not just buy a car if you want better handling? Because you may need all the room of an SUV to fit your oversized ego.

Throttle response is also made more sensitive by the addition of a "two-pass sports exhaust system." A special edition 21-inch set of wheels are also part of this GL 42.

Optics are improved with new bumpers, grill, roof spoiler and running boards along with black body panelling.

On the inside comes a sports steering wheel, other carbon cabin parts and leather covering even the ceiling interior.

The GL 42 Black Line as seen here goes for 125,820 euros.

Source: Kicherer

Press Release (Click to expand)

A SUV, and particularly one which is driven by a diesel engine, is not quite a lazy car. Mercedes tuner KICHERER shows how the Mercedes GL 420 CDI learns to fly in its recent reincarnation named KICHERER GL 42 Black Line.

The KICHERER GL draws its extended force resources from a modified engine control unit wrenching 360hp and a torque of 900Nm from the V8 engine. To make sure that this excess in performance may be properly enjoyed, the electronic Vmax limit has been raised to 280km/h. The suspension is electronically adjusted and comes up with a much sportier characteristic curve preventing the SUV from loosing its temper.

The accelerator pedal’s response behaviour, too, has been electronically optimised in order to make sure that the engine will release its performance more spontaneously. These technical modifications are brought to perfection by a two-pass sports exhaust system. To illustrate the increased motor activity visually, the KICHERER GL has been provided with an offroad package comprising, among other things, running boards, larger fenders, a new grille and a roof-edge spoiler as well as numerous black body trims.

A complete special edition 21“ wheelset with wide-base tyres is the cherry on top. Inside the car, KICHERER drivers will enjoy a sports steering wheel, trim parts made of genuine carbon as well as a complete leather equipment covering even the roof interior and many other elements. All tuning components are sold singly or are already integrated in a complete vehicle.

The test car price of the GL 42 Black Line is 125,820 Euros.

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Tags: GL 420 CDI, Kicherer, GL 42 Black Line

Comments

hitar_potar

February 4, 2009 7:46 PM

wow... although a sick fan of mercedes cars, i've got to admit that this topspeed is a little questionable. how could the gl-class (being heavier than a Q7) go up to 280 km/h using "just" 360hp and 900 Nm while the Q7 V12 TDI was told to go "only" to 270-273 km/h isung 500hp and 1000 Nm? nice work though, kicherer, even if the topspeed is wrong. :)

911fnatic

February 4, 2009 8:26 PM

The GL is hideous as is, they just made it worse.

Should sell well to the US Gangsta market.

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