Mercedes-Benz CLS by Carlsson revealed - debut in Geneva

Mercedes-Benz CLS by Carlsson 28.02.2011

German tuner offers an aerodynamic kit that accentuates the CLS's coupe styling

German tuner Carlsson has introduced its own edition of the Mercedes-Benz CLS ahead of its Geneva debut tomorrow.

Carlsson's chief designer Rolf Schlepp has created a new aerodynamic kit that accentuates the CLS's coupe styling. That includes a front spoiler, an RS front spoiler lip (also available in carbon), stainless-steel grille inserts, rear spoiler and a rear apron with integrated diffuser.

For the performance tuning, Carlsson offers power boosting kits for several CLS engine variants, including a boost on the twin-turbo V8 of the CLS 63 AMG that dials output from the series' 557 PS ( 410 kW / 550 bhp) up to 600 PS (441 kW / 592 bhp).

On the diesel-powered CLS 350 CDI, the Carlsson C-Tronic control unit boosts the power rating by 20 percent to a total of 320 PS (235 kW / 316 bhp) and 780 Nm of torque (575 lb-ft) from the series' 265 PS (195 kW / 261 bhp) 650 Nm (479 lb-ft). The 0 to 100 km/h sprint time is improved by 0.3 seconds over the standard 350 CDI to 5.9 seconds.

For the exhaust, there's a stainless steel rear silencer and double-oval tailpipes, with Carlsson offering stainless-steel tailpipes as an extra option.

Alloy wheels in 1/10 design (five simple and five double spokes) can be had in sizes up to 20 inches.

The C-Tronic SUSPENSION kit is adaptable to the AIRMATIC suspension from Mercedes and can lower the car 30 mm.

Things remain as elaborate, and then some, on the inside. Carlsson uses top-notch materials for the cabin finish in leather and Alcantara with carbon and wood trims (wood inlays with a piano black varnish). The seats and door panels are upholstered in Carlsson Nappa leather with contrasting stitching. There's also an Alcantara sports steering wheel, brushed aluminum pedals and foot rests, and floor and boot mats with the Carlsson logo. Carlsson even informs us that drinking-quality water is used in the tanning of the leather. That's how refined this tuning package is.

The Carlsson Mercedes-Benz CLS goes on sale starting in April.

Source: Carlsson

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World premiere in Geneva

Carlsson refines the new CLS

V8 Biturbo with up to 600 hp
Complete aerodynamics package
Handcrafted leather interior
Innovative 20 inch alloy wheel 1/10

Stylish use of shape is the trademark of the new generation of Mercedes-Benz CLS models (type C 218). This has provided the automobile manufacturer Carlsson with the ideal platform from which to perfect the new model with even more style and athleticism. Carlsson premieres its refinement at the Geneva Motor Show to the world public.

Carlsson chief designer Rolf Schlepp incorporates coupé-style contours and lends the vehicle's exterior a touch of sophistication with the comprehensive aerodynamics package. The new front spoiler and the RS front spoiler lip (available in real carbon) ensure an athletic look for the luxurious saloon car, a look which is underscored further by the stainless steel grille inserts.

The rear spoiler, the rear apron and its built-in diffuser (which functions as a tailplane) ensure extra downforce and more stable road holding at high speed. Under the long bonnet an engine optimized by Carlsson performs up to 600 hp (441 kW) in the flagship model based on the CLS 63 AMG. Carlsson also offers technically sophisticated performance kits with the general Carlsson guarantee for smaller engines.

The CLS 350 CDI for example achieves a power output that is a full 20 percent greater than the standard engine thanks to the Carlsson C-Tronic® DIESEL POWER additional control unit. Instead of 265 hp (195kW), the self-igniting engine now manages 320 hp (235 kW) while maximum torque has increased from 650 to 780 Newton metres. This allows the vehicle to go from 0 to 100 kph in 5.9 seconds instead of the standard 6.2 seconds. The performance-boosting kit continues to meet the EURO5 exhaust emission standards, of course.

In addition, the stainless steel rear silencer and the two oval tailpipes so typical of Carlsson make a great sound. The stainless steel tailpipes can also be ordered separately.

The vehicle's alloy wheels in 1/10 design and up to 20 inch also emphasise the sporty yet stylish contours of its new aerodynamics package which has been developed in the wind tunnel. With the combination of five simple and five double spokes, the automobile manufacturer from Merzig in Germany is setting a design trend. The five top spokes are designed in such a way that they terminate flushly on the edge of the wheel rim while the five double spokes begin deeper inside the wheel receptacle and are arranged outside on the upper edge of the wheel rim. The fact that there is no wheel well and that the spokes are drawn out over the edge give the 1/10 wheels a particularly sporty character. The forged wheel generates a weight advantage of 40 percent compared the ordinary serial wheels because of its production process while achieving more strength and distinctly improved rolling quality at the same time.

Carlsson's patented C-Tronic SUSPENSION is responsible for delivering excellent road holding for vehicles with the standard AIRMATIC suspension. This intelligent suspension lowering system drops the vehicle by up to 30 millimetres and continuously monitors the situation of the road. Depending on the road conditions, the controlling device adapts the residual spring travel every 150 milliseconds, thereby ensuring optimum comfort and excellent driving dynamics with an appealing look. The C-Tronic SUSPENSION switches to serial conditions when the speed drops under 20 kph, as a lowering of the vehicle at that speed is part of the serial adjustment.

The vehicle's refinement reaches its peak in the interior. The automobile manufacturer cultivates traditional craftsmanship by using finest materials such as leather, exclusive alcantara, carbon, best root wood, and several other exclusive nature materials. The selections of the materials and the excellent workmanship attest the uncompromising quality requirements of Carlsson's own upholstery. The seats and the doors panels have been covered in Carlsson Nappa with contrasting Carlsson stitching. This leather is exclusively produced for Carlsson as barrel pigmented aniline leather which is available in all conceivable colour variations. For Carlsson Nappa only middle European raw materials and German production is used. Carlsson also takes responsibility for the environment: the water needed in production leaves the tannery in drinking-water quality.

The same high quality is reflected by all wooden inlays which have been refined with black piano varnish. The Carlsson Signature Line in the contrasting colour underscores the demands for design and aesthetics. The alcantara sports steering wheel, pedals and foot rest made of brushed aluminium, velours foot mats featuring the Carlsson logo and the matching boot mat support the stylish appearance of the CLS' interior.

With its comprehensive finishing package for the CLS model, Carlsson has once more proven its refined sense of taste when it comes to Mercedes design. Thanks to its efforts, the already stylish standard CLS has really turned into a unique individualist. The CLS by Carlsson premieres at the Geneva Motor Show, sales start in April 2011.

All components of the refinement include the general Carlsson three-year warrenty up to 100.000 kilometres and a TÜV certificate so that the components can be easily included with the rest of the vehicle's documentation. For further information on Carlsson and its exclusive product range for Smart and Mercedes-Benz vehicles, please visit www.carlsson.de