Mercedes-Benz GL-Class Pimped by Carlsson
Carlsson offers engine tuning for both petrol and diesel GL-Class models as well as an RS-kit and suspension lowering
By Alex Ricciuti
July 28, 2009 11:04 PM
Filed Under: German, Mercedes-Benz, Tuners
German tuner Carlsson gives the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class a place to spend some serious tuning dough.
First off is the RS-kit, meant to provide some new duds as well as some aerodynamic flow to the GL-Class. A new radiator grill and bonnet attachments give the GL a meaner look while the electro-polished stainless steel grill inserts there, as well as on the front lip and front and side skirts, provide for some distinguishing touches. New headlamps and LED daytime running lights are also part of the package. The GL aerodynamic kit goes for 8,499 euros, not including VAT.
Carlsson does a little suspension lowering on the GL too. The Carlsson engineered C-Tronic SUSPENSION (available for 1,099 euros, exlcuding VAT) allows for a lowering of 30 millimeters while offering continuous ride-adjustment by reading road conditions.
Also improving handling are the 22-inch, single-cast, light alloy wheels called the 1/11 Evo Brilliant Edition. The set come with 295/35 R 22 performance tires from Dunlop and can be had for the formidable price of 4,189 euros (excluding VAT).
Under the hood, Carlsson works a substantial amount of power improvement into the GL-Class through the use of a sport air filter and some engine electronics trickery. The top of the line GL 500 gets a power boost from 388 hp (285 kW) to 435 hp (320 kW) while taking torque from 530 to 600 Nm. Price tag: 3,192 euros (excluding VAT).
Diesel tuning comes a little cheaper. For 1,299 euros (excluding VAT), Carlsson will take your GL 420 CDI's 306 hp (225 kW) and dial it on up to 354 hp (260 kW). The 320 CDI also gets a booster shot to take its 224 hp (165 kW) to 269 hp (198 kW). Somehow, this costs more (1,499 euros, excluding VAT) that tuning on the larger 420 CDI. Go figure.
Press Release (Click to expand)
Carlsson gives the Full-Size-SUV more agility
- Design RS-Kit for the Mercedes-Benz GL
- Entire aerodynamics kit connects dynamics with power
- Performance enhancement up to 435 hp (320 kW)
- Intelligent lowering device recognises road characteristics
- Light alloy wheels 1/11 Evo Brilliant Edition in 22 inches
The Mercedes-Benz GL (Type X 164) is the model with the most opulent dimensions within the entire Mercedes motorcar product line. With the new RS-Kit, the automobile manufacturer Carlsson now gives the GL a sporty look and at the same time, a powerful appearance.
The newly designed front marks the most significant change. The front spoiler lip lowers the GL visually closer to the road. Therefore, the RS-Kit provides the large Benz with a dynamic character. While the large radiator grill and the two bonnet attachments emphasise the dominant look of the GL. At the same time, the grill inserts made of electro-polished stainless steel radiate elegance. Carlsson adds these inserts to the front skirt, the front spoiler lip, the side skirts, the bonnet and the radiator grill.
Carlsson, the Mercedes refiner from Merzig/Germany also modifies the lights of the car. The headlight inserts and the additional headlights significantly contribute to the new facial expression of the GL. The LED daytime running lights in the front spoiler lip complete the new light unit. At night time, they can also be used as position lamps.
The new side ledges give the powerful car sides a considerably more sporty touch; this impression is additionally accentuated with the grill inserts made of electro-polished stainless steel.
The rear is dominated by a new rear skirt attachment which holds the two oval stainless steel pipes of the sport sub-muffler.
Carlsson offers the entire GL aerodynamics kit for 8.499 EUR excl. VAT.
Powerful look – more performance
In order to ensure that the engine performance matches the new design of the Mercedes-Benz GL, the Carlsson engineers developed performance enhancements for the various engine types. The performance kit CK50 has been especially developed for the top model GL 500. The interaction between the optimised engine electronics and the sport air filter increases the performance from 388 hp (285 kW) to 435 hp (320 kW) at 6,000 revolutions per minute. Thereby, the maximum torque rises from 530 to 600 Newton metres. The performance kit can be obtained in connection with the RS-Design Kit for 3,192 EUR excl. VAT.
Carlsson also increases the performance of the diesel models. After Carlsson modifies the GL 420 CDI, it thrusts out 354 hp (260 kW) instead of the former 306 hp (225 kW). The modification is available for 1,299 EUR excl. VAT. For the entry model GL 320 CDI, Carlsson offers the additional control unit C-Tronic CD32 REVO with the adequate adapter and wire harness which increases the performance from the serial 224 hp (165 kW) to 269 hp (198 kW). Thereby, the maximum torque rises from 510 to 612 Newton metres. For 1,499 EUR excl. VAT, the Mercedes GL driver can obtain this Plug-and-Play-System which can be attached within a few minutes.
Intelligent lowering
In order to transfer the generated power ideally onto the road, Carlsson developed the intelligent lowering module C-Tronic® SUSPENSION. This system does not only lower the car by up to 30 millimetres, the control unit also recognises the road characteristics and continually adjusts the remaining spring travel. Therefore, the C-Tronic® SUSPENSION perfectly connects sporty driving with comfortable travelling. It’s available for cars with AIRMATIC-suspension for 1,099 EUR excl. VAT.
Another refining highlight for the Mercedes-Benz GL is the 22-inch wheel-set in the design 1/11 Evo Brilliant Edition. The one-part light alloy wheel has been especially developed for weight-intensive models such as the GL. Design, load capacity and low weight were the equally important factors for the development of the wheel. It increases the agility with a minimum of unsprung masses and at the same time provides highest stability and radiates elegance with its eleven spokes. Available as a wheel-set with Dunlop high performance tyres measuring 295/35 R 22, the 1/11 Evo Brilliant Edition can be obtained for 4,189 EUR excl. VAT.
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