Carlsson versus Brabus in Geneva
The Mercedes tuners have made the new CLS their favourite toy and object of desire. The first results will be seen at the Geneva Motor Show (3rd through13th of March). One of them is by Brabus who are coming with a tuned CLS to , as are their biggest rivals, Carlsson. Although the basic platform for both is the same there is a wide divergence in the two firms’ approach to the challenge. While Brabus offer a black automobile with enhanced diesel power the Carlsson team are fielding a white CLS AMG with significantly boosted power output.
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- The top diesel with an additional control unit improves its output from 265 to 320 horsepower. Given that the torque has also increased from 265 to 320 Newton metres this elegant diesel can be expected to be rather quick.
A tuned CLS 63 AMG as top model
Carlsson have managed to coax from the 5.5 litre bi-turbo V8 600 horsepower whereas the unmodified model delivered only 525. More detailed information about this motor tuning will only be revealed in . But when it comes to what they have achieved with the CLS 350 CDI the Carlsson team are less reticent. The top diesel with an additional control unit improves its output from 265 to 320 horsepower. Given that the torque has also increased from 265 to 320 Newton metres this elegant diesel can be expected to be rather quick. A hint of the potential of the tuned diesel? Zero to a hundred in 5.9 seconds is three tenths better than with the original model.
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- After the Geneva Motor Show the Carlsson people are going to be busy. The tuned CLS is to go on sale already in April 2011.
Good work from Rolf Schepp
The new CLS presented the tuner’s design team with no easy task. It was, after all, a matter of giving an already very elegant automobile even more arresting looks. Carlsson designer Rolf Schepp solved the problem by making as few changes as possible to the styling of the original. At the front end the main difference with the Carlsson CLS is the skirt with spoiler leading edge which can be had in carbon composite construction if desired. Retained but made in stainless steel is the radiator assembly inspired by that of the series model. Schepp has demonstrated his taste and talent by integrating the rear spoiler cleverly into the boot cover of the CLS and the rear skirt with diffuser fits harmoniously into the line of the automobile. Typical for Carlsson is the way the two oval end tubes flank the diffuser.
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- Carlsson boosts the power output of the top CLS model, the 63 AMG with its 5.5 litre bi-turbo V8, from 525 to 600 horsepower.
Lower on big wheels
The rims are called “1/10” and are in 20 inch format typical for Carlsson’s approach to the CLS. As for the suspension Carlsson has in their program the lowering module with air suspension. This not only brings the car up to 30 millimetres closer to the tarmac but also monitors the driving situation and the road surface and quickly adjusts height and firmness accordingly.
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- Rarely has a tuner fitted a rear spoiler so cleverly and discreetly that it maintains the fits with the styling of the original.
New look inside
As a final gesture Carlsson works a bit of magic on the interior of the CLS. Seat covers and door linings are in the fines Nappa leather, the steering-wheel rim is in non-slip Alcantara. The wooden trim is given piano lacquer treatment. Sports minded drivers will appreciate the aluminium pedals. Velours foot-well mats with an illuminated Carlsson logo match the carpeting of the boot and provide a chic touch to round off the transformation.
After the Geneva Motor Show the Carlsson people are going to be busy. The tuned CLS is to go on sale already in April 2011.
