Tuning superlative
They have given their latest endeavour the name ‘Prior Design Mercedes SL R230 Black Edition’… a bit of a mouthful, indeed. And it would appear that Prior choose to simply ignore the existence of other Mercedes after-market specialists like Carlsson, Lorinser, Brabus, Kicherer and Väth for they do not hesitate to claim that they are the sole address in Europe for any wishing to have a custom-made carosserie for their car from Stuttgart. The speciality of which they are inordinately proud is “breathtaking body broadening”. And this is exactly what they have done to the current SL model.
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- Although the widening is certainly breathtaking the SL does in fact retain integrity.
Wide, wider, Prior
The body-kit comprises front and rear fenders, a set of front mudguards, a diffuser, rear spoiler, side skirts, front flaps and new rear side panels. All of these new elements are melded into a harmonious whole in the Prior Design Black Edition. Although the widening is certainly breathtaking the SL does in fact retain integrity. Prior have positioned the in-house built sports exhaust system so that the end pipes are part of the diffuser which in turn is part of the body-kit. The price for the kit, including the exhaust unit, is 16,900 Euros. The hugely broadened wheel arches now house Prior Design 20 inch DPE alloys, for which they are the exclusive European dealers. The 9.5x20 rims at the front get 275 format rubber, at the back there are 12x20 rims wearing 325 tyres. This combination of wheels and tyres, together with and electronic body lowering unit applied to the series air suspension, make for driving behaviour which is significantly more sporting in character. The wheel set costs six thousand Euros.
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- The Prior Design Black Edition is simply visual customization, with the motorization remaining unmodified.
The Prior Design Black Edition is simply visual customization, with the motorization remaining unmodified. This means that under the hood there is either the original six-cylinder power plant, or the eight or even the twelve. And so that the visual promise is fulfilled in reality we would suggest that the body-kit should be adopted only for the higher powered AMG models.
