2009 Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG Performance Studio breaks cover

Mercedes` own AMG Performance Studio has just revealed its new babe, the special edition 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG Performance Studio SUV. The spec.ed. model deals with the original 2009 ML 63 AMG`s weakest point, replacing the original -way too Spartan to my taste- interior with a luxurious one.

The 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG Performance Studio, Daimler AG proudly reports in its press release, has finally received a full Nappa leather upholstery with a porcelain colored diamond design covering both front and rear seats, as well as the door linings, lower and upper parts of the dashboard, front and back center consoles and the back sides of the front seats. The AMG multifunction sports steering wheel also covered with black leather with porcelain-colored stitching.


AMG wood trim in high-gloss black piano lacquer, access strips with white luminous AMG lettering, as well as black floor mats with porcelain-colored Nappa leather edging finish the gorgeous picture.


Outside of the car you'll find AMG's trademark 21-inch alloy wheels with a double spoke design partly painted in the same metallic Peridot brown color as the whole car. The ML 63 MG Performance Studio package also includes a set of 295/35 R21 tires, high-gloss chrome trim on the upper body, subtle wheel arches extensions and running boards.



Well, I guess I have one more excuse to start saving money for a new car.




See also: Lorinser tunes ML 320 CDI with Black & White

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Kicherer CL 60 Coupe tuning package for Mercedes CL-Class

German tuner Kicherer has just revealed its new tuning package for the Mercedes-Benz CL-Class luxury performance coupe, which includes a minor V12 biturbo engine upgrade, a body kit and some changes to the vehicle's interior and chassis.

The engine's power, Kicherer claims has been increased by 53hp -from 517 to 570hp- and its torque now peaks at impressive 900Nm (663lb-ft). Some extra oomph is also squeezed with the help of new, four-pipe exhaust system.

Fortunately, Kicherer didn't limit itself to ECU tuning, offering a new high-performance rear axle, which is equipped with a differential lock and a tuned transmission control module.

Of course, there is also new carbon fiber and leather interior trim. The CL60 Coupe's exterior has also received its fair share of new carbon, including new bumper, new side mirrors and a rear diffuser, as well as a set of Kicherer's RS-1 light alloy wheels.

See also: Mercedes-Benz CL-Class tuning kit by ART

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2009 Mercedes-Benz M-Class: more style, more power

It's not a major face-lift, though the revised 2009 Mercedes-Benz M-Class looks much, much better than the outgoing model. And it's more powerful, too.

The refreshed M-Class, as the company from Stuttgart is claiming in its press release, has received a new front and rear bumpers, reshaped headlamps and tinted taillights, and new corporate grille. Although even more impressive and dominating than that on the outgoing model, the new grille has something in common with much cheaper Honda CR-V's, which is not good at all.


Inside the vehicle's spacious saloon, there is also a range of expensive-looking materials, new two-tone color-scheme and an infotainment system with Bluetooth connectivity and so gorgeous and vintage-looking user interface, you can buy the whole SUV just to get your hands on it.


The 2009 Mercedes-Benz M-Class will be available with a choice of five engines ranging from 190 to 388 hp (including a diesel-powered ML320 with a 3.0-liter 265 hp BlueTEC oil-burner). The most powerful ML 63 AMG 4Matic will feature a raging 510hp @ 6800 rpm 6.3-liter V8 engine. With its peak torque of 630 Nm (465 lb-ft) @ 5200 rpm, the engine takes only 5.0-seconds to take the heavy M-Class from standstill to 100 km/h mark.





See also: ART Tuning personalizes the new Mercedes ML-Class SUV

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NAIAS 2008: Mercedes-Bnez Vision GLK FREESIDE

GLK – a combination of letters that has specific connotations. The “G” alludes to the archetypal cross-country vehicle, the “L” intimates luxury and, as in other Mercedes model series, the “K” stands for compactness (German: Kompaktheit). At first sight these three aspects may appear to be mutually incompatible. But on closer inspection they offer the perfect combination as Mercedes-Benz takes its SUV expertise and launches it in a whole new dimension – in the exciting Vision GLK FREESIDE. In January 2008 this compact character will be making its world debut at the Detroit Auto Show, providing a vision of the shape of SUVs to come.


The Vision GLK FREESIDE study, now close to series production, has a distinctive design and combines typical SUV characteristics such as robustness and off-road capability with refined motoring characteristics on “normal” roads. The AGILITY CONTROL suspension ensures excellent handling dynamics and agility, coupled with excellent ride comfort and pioneering active safety. A high-strength bodyshell forms the backbone of this model and also ensures other key characteristics: the driving stability and virtual absence of vibration and noise, whatever the conditions, are compelling, and the passive safety, as you expect from the brand, is of the highest standard.

The economical and environmentally friendly new-generation BLUETEC four-cylinder engine, combined with the 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission and the new 4MATIC all-wheel drive, ensures highly appealing performance. The compact concept vehicle, measuring 14.8 feet in length, also boasts technology usually reserved for higher vehicle classes. Features not only include the anticipatory PRE-SAFE® safety concept and the Intelligent Light System (ILS), but also the intuitively controlled COMAND APS infotainment center, a rear-seat entertainment system with two screens and THERMOTRONIC 3-zone automatic climate control.

Extremely attractive in stylistic terms, this vision of a future compact SUV, a vehicle packed with character, succeeds by combining the angular design of the original G-Class with typical design features from the contemporary Mercedes-Benz passenger car range. The interior of the Vision GLK FREESIDE complements the expressive body design and impresses with high-quality materials and an ergonomically coherent overall concept, instantly conveying that typical Mercedes ambiance.

The Vision GLK FREESIDE is to undergo its first test of character at the NAIAS in Detroit. “The Vision GLK illustrates the logical way in which our extremely successful model strategy can be continued in the SUV segment,” commented Dr. Dieter Zetsche, CEO of Daimler AG. Dr. Zetsche has a very close connection with the compact and distinctive Vision GLK FREESIDE, based on his time as a vehicle developer back in the mid-1980s. One of Dr. Zetsche’s areas of responsibility at that time was the development of the legendary G-Class. Looking back, he explained, “The needs profiles are different now. But there’s one thing that hasn’t changed: if a Mercedes has a G in its name, it has to perform exceptionally in all conditions.”

Vision GLK FREESIDE: Expressive, Distinctive, Independent

Stylistic borrowings from the forefather of all Mercedes-Benz SUVs give the Vision GLK FREESIDE a special positioning. Head of design Prof. Peter Pfeiffer put it in a nutshell, “With the G-Class we created a styling icon which has been the benchmark for almost 30 years. Combining this bold design with the latest Mercedes-Benz design elements makes the Vision GLK FREESIDE a vehicle of genuine character.”

Indeed, never before has there been such a distinctively expressive vision of tomorrow’s compact SUV. Bringing together the angular original design with the typical design features found in all contemporary Mercedes-Benz passenger cars creates a thrilling allure. Here the company’s unmistakable design idiom, with its interplay of taut lines and large, expansive surfaces, is combined with the typical body features of a functional off-road vehicle, such as short overhangs, an upright front end, slim roof pillars, a steeply raked windscreen and taut roof lines. Specially manufactured 20-inch light-alloy wheels and muscular wheel arches add an extra touch of power and charisma to the Vision GLK FREESIDE.

The vehicle’s body design is by no means an end in itself. It allows the typical advantages of an off-road vehicle to be introduced to the road-oriented, compact SUV class for the first time. Large angles of approach and departure plus good ground clearance make off-road ventures a joy. The outstandingly clear layout of the body and the good all-round visibility, combined with the raised seating position, increases the vehicle’s suitability for everyday on-road use and ensures relaxed driving even in dense city traffic.

The Vision GLK FREESIDE’s convincing design concept is reinforced by the special effect “diamond-white magno” paintwork. Unlike conventional metallic paintwork, a matte clearcoat protects the surface here. The detachable body parts, in gloss sterling silver, produce a charming contrast and give the study an even more exclusive look.

The Interior: Trend-Setter in the Compact Premium Segment

The distinctive looks of the exterior are seamlessly continued inside the SUV study. A thrilling stylistic contrast is produced by the juxtaposition of two formally different worlds. On the one hand the Vision GLK FREESIDE offers a high-quality and comfortable interior with impressive materials and precise detailing. On the other hand the contemporary treatment of the surfaces brings the latest in Mercedes design to the interior. The dashboard is the dominant element here, its wide, emphatically three-dimensional trim lending the generous interior an additional sense of width. The main focus is an elegant trim tier in matte, anthracite-colored cebrano wood with white grain and a precision-tailored chrome trim strip. This element, with its rich contrasts, extends across the full width of the interior and divides the main body of the dashboard into three horizontal planes. The upper area is trimmed in black leather and encompasses the instrument cluster and the static COMAND APS central display.

The lower area, like the tunnel and the footwells, echoes the color scheme of the exterior paintwork. The seats and the lower part of the door are trimmed in specially coated white leather which, like the “diamond-white magno” paintwork, has a matte gloss finish. Treating the natural leather in this way not only produces a stunning look but gives it a velvety soft, skin-friendly, easy-grip surface. Black piping adds to the interesting black and white contrasts. The driver’s armrest and the COMAND APS controller are placed in the optimum ergonomic position. Control of the individual menus is intuitive, following the highly familiar control logic used in the S-Class. Additional shortcut buttons make it easier to access the most important main functions.

The occupants are protected by a comprehensive safety concept, based on a high-strength passenger cell and energy-absorbing deformation zones at the front and rear. The protective program includes front airbags, sidebags and windowbags, plus a kneebag for the driver and crash-responsive head restraints.

New BLUETEC Four-Cylinder Powerplant with AdBlue Injection

The Vision GLK FREESIDE is powered by a new-generation diesel engine. The four-cylinder unit, with a 2.2-liter displacement, reflects the study vehicle’s dynamic basic concept and allows impressive performance figures with an output of 125 kW/168 hp SAE net, plus reduced consumption and reduced emissions. The technical features of the extremely compact and smooth CDI powerplant with rear camshaft drive include fourth-generation common-rail direct injection with an injection pressure of 2,000 bar and a two-stage turbocharger system.

The modular BLUETEC emission control system has been enhanced by Mercedes-Benz and the most efficient version has been combined for the first time with a four-cylinder engine. "BLUETEC gives us a technology that makes it possible for us to combine the high efficiency and impressive torque of modern diesel engines with extremely low emissions – a perfect propulsion unit for a compact SUV like the GLK," declares Dr. Thomas Weber, member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and responsible for corporate research and the development of Mercedes-Benz Cars.

The focus of BLUETEC technology is on ensuring the greatest possible reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions. This is the only exhaust gas component that is intrinsically higher in diesel engines than in petrol engines. In addition to an oxidizing catalytic converter and a maintenance-free particulate filter, an SCR catalytic converter is also used. AdBlue, a harmless, aqueous urea solution, is injected into the exhaust gas stream. This converts up to 80 percent of the nitrogen oxides into harmless nitrogen and water. Here the study highlights the way in which compact four-cylinder diesel models can also meet the most stringent emissions limits, even those specified by EU6, which will apply to all new vehicles from 2015. By then today’s EU4 nitrogen oxide limits will have to be reduced by around another 70 percent to 0.08 g/km. Even the strict US BIN 5 limits and the Californian LEV2 regulations would not present a problem for the Vision GLK FREESIDE.

Superior Dynamic Handling Thanks to Cutting-Edge 4MATIC Drivetrain

The new 4MATIC drivetrain in the Vision GLK FREESIDE is one of the most powerful all-wheel-drive systems. Thanks to the compact, lightweight and friction-optimized basic design, with a longitudinally installed engine and block-design main transmission and transfer case, it offers various advantages over other systems with a transversely installed drive unit. The fuel consumption, for example, is around the level of a comparable, conventionally driven vehicle. The minimal vibration and noise levels rival those of today’s luxury-class models.

The 45:55 percent basic distribution of the drive torque between the front and rear axle plus the ESP®, ASR and 4ETS dynamic handling control systems ensure effortlessly superior and predictable performance in all conditions. Optimum traction, the greatest driving stability and the best handling are assured at all times. The newly developed multiple-disc clutch in the central differential supports the system where the friction between the tires and the road surface is particularly low, for example on snow or ice. A basic partial locking force of 50 Newton meters between the front and rear axles produces a significant increase in traction, while maintaining the high level of driving stability.

The “G” button in the center console increases the Vision GLK FREESIDE’s aggression when required on rough terrain. Pressing the button activates a special transmission mode which varies the 7G-TRONIC’s shift points, adjusts to “softer” accelerator characteristics and activates the ESP’s off-road function. A manual shift mode is also available – gears are changed using the shift paddles behind the steering wheel. A further switch activates the Downhill Speed Regulation (DSR), which automatically maintains a pre-selected speed on steep downhill inclines.

Pioneering Chassis Concept Unites Different Worlds of Driving

The Vision GLK FREESIDE’s AGILITY CONTROL suspension resolves a conflict of objectives which particularly affects the SUV class, where chassis engineers want to create a vehicle which is both sportily agile and comfortably smooth yet one which can also cope with off-road terrain. If the focus is on sportily active handling, the springs and above all the shock absorbers have to demonstrate a certain firmness, which precludes access to the brand’s typical suspension comfort and limits the off-road options. If the vehicle is set up with softer dampers to ensure suspension comfort and off-road capability, dynamic handling naturally suffers. The solution is “amplitude-dependent damping”: the damping forces of the shock absorber are configured to respond flexibly rather than lineally.

In normal driving mode on moderately contoured roads or on slow off-road tours the system responds softly, enhancing both the comfort of the occupants and the off-road capability. To ensure that this level of comfort is retained in the face of hard driving or abrupt evasion maneuvers, in these situations the dampers deliver a harder performance, ensuring optimum driving stability. The driver of the Vision GLK is supported by speed-sensitive power steering which ensures the optimum steering assistance for the given situation. Parking or maneuvering off-road are easy exercises because the greatest possible power assistance is on hand. At higher speeds the assistance is reduced in favor of greater driving stability.

Vision GLK FREESIDE: Continuing a Success Story

Since the launch of the legendary G-Class in 1979, Mercedes-Benz has been a leader in the field of off-road vehicles. With the first generation of the ML-Class, which appeared in 1997, Mercedes-Benz marked out the contemporary sports utility vehicle segment. Including the latest generation of this model, which made its debut in 2005, this model series is one of the most successful premium SUVs in the world, with around 900,000 vehicles sold. The GL-Class in turn has occupied the top spot in the overall SUV world since 2006, its occupants traveling first-class whatever the conditions, whether on or off the road. The Vision GLK FREESIDE now demonstrates how the expertise garnered in the course of creating this sequence of models can be translated into a compact format. The new compact character, in other words, is in the best of company – just like the production model, which is to be launched in Europe in fall 2008, followed by the U.S. in January 2009.

Text and photos: Mercedes-Benz

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Carlsson tunes Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate

Announced less than three months ago, the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate has already received a tuning package from the revered AMG tuning house. Now, German Carlsson joins the fray with its extensive appearance and engine tuning packages considerably increasing the vehicle's available power and providing it with a sportier looks.

With the help of Carlsson C-Tronic CD 22 and CD 32, the diesel-powered Mercedes-Benz C220 CDI and C320 CDI get their max hp increased to 204 and 295 horsepower respectively. The top of the range 3.5-liter V6 ends up with impressive 295 hp and 385 Nm courtesy of the "race-proven" Carlsson CK35 electronic control unit.


Outside, the cars may be equipped with new front and rear apron, side moldings, and a rear spoiler. The picture is finished with a set of Brilliant Edition 19-inch single-piece, 11-spoke wheels fitted with 225/35 ZR19 Dunlop SP Sport Maxx tires on the front and 255/30 tires on the rear, electro-polished grille insert, and double-headlight units.


Inside the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate there may be installed Carlsson sports steering wheel in leather / Alcantara or leather / wood.

All these parts may be ordered separately or in a kit.

See also: Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Sports Package revealed

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Essen 2007: BRABUS Refines the New C-Class Wagon

In time for the market introduction of the new Mercedes C-Class wagon BRABUS presents an exclusive sport program. The product lineup for the S 204 model series comprises powerful engine tuning for gasoline and diesel models, an elegant aerodynamic-enhancement program, light-alloy wheels up to 19 inches in diameter with corresponding suspension modifications, and custom interior options.

For the CDI models BRABUS offers its BRABUS PowerXtra kits. They start with the D2 (III) kit that boosts power output of the C 200 CDI by 39 hp (28 hp SAE net) / 28.7 kW and bumps peak torque to 385 Nm (284 lb-ft). BRABUS D3 S tuning in the C 220 CDI model increases power output by an extra 50 hp (49 hp SAE net) / 36.8 kW to 220 hp (217 hp SAE net) / 162 kW. Peak torque is 480 Nm (354 lb-ft).

The top-of-the-line turbodiesel model C 320 CDI adds 48 hp (47 hp SAE net) / 35.3 kW with the D6 (III) power kit. Peak torque grows to 590 Nm (435 lb-ft). Thus equipped, the new V6 wagon turns into one of the liveliest diesels on the market: The sprint from 0 – 100 km/h (62 mph) takes just 6.9 seconds, top speed is 250 km/h (155 mph).

For the gasoline-powered V6 models C 280 and C 350 there is the BRABUS 4.0 displacement engine. Displacement of the V6 engine is increased with the help of a special crankshaft with longer stroke and larger cylinder bore with correspondingly larger pistons. The four-valve heads are optimized for mixture flow and fitted with custom camshafts. Newly programmed engine electronics and a stainless-steel high-performance exhaust system with metal catalysts round out the conversion.

The BRABUS 4.0 engine produces 332 hp (327 hp SAE net) / 244 kW and a peak torque of 420 Nm (310 lb-ft) at 4,200 rpm, giving the five-door excellent performance: The wagon accelerates from 0-100 km/h in just 5.9 seconds, top speed is 275 km/h (171 mph).

The BRABUS stainless-steel quad sport exhaust systems – available custom-tailored to each C-Class model with or without engine tuning – were developed to further improve power yield.

BRABUS stands behind the exceptional quality of all its products including engine tuning with the one-of-a-kind BRABUS Tuning Warranty® of three years, up to 100,000 kilometers or 62,000 miles (see BRABUS warranty conditions as of November 2006).

A major contribution to even further improved driving dynamics comes from BRABUS tire/wheel combinations with diameters of 17, 18 and 19 inches and corresponding BRABUS sport suspensions, lowering kits and sport sway bars, all custom-developed for the new wagon. The largest wheel option features BRABUS Monoblock VI, E or S light-alloy wheels in size 8.5Jx19 in front with size 235/35 ZR 19 tires. The rear axle is fitted with size 9.5Jx19 wheels and tires up to size 265/30 ZR 19.

BRABUS high-performance brake systems – available in two versions – offer maximum endurance and stopping power on the level of a sports car.

BRABUS design is synonymous around the globe with sporty elegance. The aerodynamic-enhancement kit for the new C-Class wagon continues this tradition. Custom-tailored components that offer excellent aerodynamic properties and precise fit were developed in the wind tunnel.

The BRABUS front spoiler with four auxiliary headlights lends the Mercedes a more striking front. But that’s not all: By reducing aerodynamic lift on the front axle the spoiler also further optimizes directional stability.

The BRABUS rocker panels create an optimal aerodynamic transition between front and rear wheel houses. The rocker panels are optionally available with integrated LED entrance lights that are activated with the keyless fob or by pulling on a door handle. BRABUS also offers custom-tailored covers for the exterior mirrors made from exposed carbon fiber.

The BRABUS components for the rear bumper of the wagon feature cutouts on both sides that frame the two dual tailpipes of the BRABUS sport exhaust system.

Exclusive BRABUS interior design adds value to the new C-Class wagon as well. The product lineup includes an ergonomically shaped sport steering wheel, aluminum pedals and a speedometer with 300-km/h dial. In addition there are stainless-steel scuff plates with illuminated BRABUS logo, and precious-wood and carbon fiber trim sets.

Requests for even more customized interiors are fulfilled by the company-own upholstery shop. The upholsterers create exclusive interiors made from especially soft and breathable BRABUS Mastik leather and Alcantara, perfect down to the last detail.

Text and photos: Brabus

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Essen 2007: Carlsson Mercedes-Benz C-class Estate

Before its official launch, Carlsson has already devoted considerable attention to the new Mercedes Benz C-class Estate resulting in a new automotive dimension in both visual and dynamic terms. The company achieved these goals through a variety of measures including elegant aerodynamic parts, performance kits, new wheels and improved interior appointments. The result is a vehicle that meets the highest expectations of driving pleasure and active safety. A car with race-track engineering that meets the promise of looks and paper form.

* fuel saving and performance boosting C-Tronic® CD22 and CD32 for C220 CDI and C320 CDI
* race-proven CK35 performance kit with 217 kW (295 bhp) and 385 Nm
* dynamic and striking Carlsson aerodynamic parts of high-grade PUR
* luxurious interior using top-quality materials
* Carlsson 1/11 Brilliant Edition 19" wheels

Diesel-Power through Carlsson C-Tronic®

With the new C-Tronic® Diesel POWER generation, Carlsson offers 20 % more power and torque for all Mercedes common-rail diesels from the A to the S Class. Increasing the output via the C-Tronic® Diesel POWER supplementary control unit results in a significant improvement in performance. Consisting of the control unit and a plug-and-drive adapter, which is connected to the standard engine control unit, the C-Tronic® reads all signals from the series control unit needed to determine the optimum values for fuel quantity and the injection point.

Carlsson C-Tronic® CD 22 for C/E 220 CDI engines

The new generation of C-Tronic® performance kits for four-cylinder CDI models of the C and E Classes provide a power increase of 34 bhp. Thus, the engine generates 204 instead of 170 bhp and a torque of 480 instead of 400 Nm. The result is a second off the time for the 0-100 km/h dash and a reduction of no less than seven seconds in the 80 - 180 km/h time.

Carlsson C-Tronic® CD 32 for all 320 CDI engines

The Carlsson C-Tronic® CD 32 has been developed for all Mercedes Benz models fitted with the current basic 320 CDI engine. The increase in power amounts to 42 bhp so that the modified engine produces 269 bhp outpacing easily the standard engine with its 224 bhp. Torque rises to a massive 612 Nm, which is available from 1,600 to 2,300 rpm. No less impressive are the performance figures, which improve by around a second for the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h.

To ensure the greatest possible safety for both driver and vehicle, the C-Tronic® Diesel POWER has correction maps that guarantee the engine's reserves are only used when the operating parameters are within the appropriate range. Thus, the coolant temperature is monitored and the additional power only generated when the engine is running at a coolant temperature between 65° and 100° C. The intelligent control system ensures the optimum settings are selected regardless of the operating conditions. Carlsson gives a three-year warranty on the new generation of C-Tronic® supplementary control units.

Greater driving pleasure - with a clear conscience

The environment also benefits from the C-Tronic® Diesel performance kits. Through the intelligent use of modern technology, the C-Tronic® reduces average fuel consumption and in the course of that CO2-emissions by 10 %. At the same time is reduces pollutant emissions, slashing environmentally harmful exhaust gases, such as NOX, by around 10 %.

Naturally, the C-Tronic® meets the special requirements of the particle filter in full and also shows the technological advantage of Carlsson engineering: the C-Tronic® takes account of all important data from the particle-filter system, e.g., exhaust back pressure, exhaust temperature, when generating the increase in power to utilise them in the interests of a cleaner environment.

Race-proven CK35 performance kit

Carlsson has been a successful competitor in the VLN Long Distance Trophy at the Nürburgring for many years. At the world's most demanding race-track for both driver and technology, Carlsson tests parts that are later to be found in its range of parts and accessories. The company currently uses the CK35 performance kit based on the 3.5 litre V6 for long-distance racing in an SLK. In other words, every Carlsson CK 35 customer participates in Carlsson's racing success. "The concept of taking developments 'from the race track to the highway' applies to the CK35 more than any other engine", says CEO Markus Schuster proudly explaining how this piece of high-tech engineering has been breathed on to ensure durability and great efficiency.

Developed in motor racing for absolute reliability and superior performance, the CK35 kits give customers the assurance that they, too, could win races with this engine. The Carlsson unit produces 217 kW / 295 bhp and presses maximum torque of 385 Nm onto the crankshaft.
Also part of the CK35 kit, the stainless-steel sports rear silencer with four oval tailpipes hints clearly but not too loudly at the increased engine output. Carlsson also modifies and significantly improves the engine's electronic control system while a sports air filter ensures that the V6 has no trouble in taking a deep breath.

The increased output coupled with effortless power delivery result not only in a better paper form but also significantly improved flexibility and, therefore, greater driving pleasure. The top speed of the CK35 is 270 km/h. The sprint from 0 to 100 km/h takes just six seconds, four tenths faster than the standard car. At the same time, the sound emitted from the four tail pipes is certain to set the pulse of every racing enthusiast.

Carlsson aerodynamic kit: the dynamic and striking alternative

Without making the car look flashy, Carlsson fits an aerodynamic kit that not only reduces lift at the same time as making the car more elegant and powerful looking but also lends an individual touch and, of course, the sporting flair so typical of Carlsson. The aerodynamic kit consists of a front apron, a diffuser-look apron at the rear, side mouldings and a rear spoiler that stabilises the car at higher speeds. In this connection, too, Carlsson underscores its close association with motor racing. All parts are made of high-grade PUR and, in addition to fitting exactly, distinguished by top surface quality. The kit also includes an electro-polished grille insert and double-headlight units with fog and driving lights for improved light output and, therefore, greater safety. These parts are also available separately for fitment in combination with the standard bumper.

Suspension components for optimum road-holding and a more dynamic look

In common with all suspension components, the sports springs used to lower the car also are derived from motor racing. Their racing equivalents have been well proven in thousands of kilometres around the Nürburgring race track. For Carlsson customers, they not only offer significantly improved handling but also give the car a more dynamic look.

B for Brilliant Edition - exclusive wheels from Carlsson

Wheels are the easiest and most expressive way of giving a car a personal touch. If they should also combine high technological qualities with sporting elegance, then Carlsson 1/11 Brilliant Edition wheels are the obvious choice. The front wheels measure 8.5x19" and are fitted with 225/35 ZR19 Dunlop SP Sport Maxx tyres while the rear wheels come in the dimension 10x19" and 255/30 tyres. These single-piece, 11-spoke wheels are characterised by an exclusive surface finish unparalleled in the Mercedes Benz tuning sector. The polished brilliant silver rim base and the painted brilliant silver centre, which makes the wheel virtually unmatched in visual terms, form an interesting contrast.

Unadulterated luxury inside

For the interior of the C-class, Carlsson uses on the very best materials that turn it into a small S Class. The very attractive yet restrained components, which can be combined in accordance with customer wishes, make sitting in the car a great pleasure. With the ergonomically designed Carlsson sports steering wheel in leather / Alcantara or leather / wood, the driver always has a firm and extremely pleasant grip on the car.

Text and photos: Carlsson

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2009 Mercedes-Benz ML 450 Hybrid SUV

The 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML 450 Hybrid will be the most fuel-efficient two-mode petrol hybrid SUV in the world, claims the German car manufacturer. Planned to go on sale in 2009, the ML450 Hybrid will be the first German-made hybrid sports utility vehicle on the market.


The SUV, company is reporting in its press release, will feature electric-only driving mode. It will sport 340hp of combined power and 480 Nm of combined maximum torque when both the electric motor and the 4.5-liter gasoline engine are working together.

The hybrid powertrain is so efficient that the heavy Mercedes-Benz ML 450 Hybrid will use only 7.7 liters of gasoline per 100 km (that's about 30.5 mpg) and will emit only 185g/km of CO2 emissions, going well below the 225 g/km limit set by London's Mayor Mr. Ken Livingstone in order to barren gas-guzzling SUVs from the City of London.

See also: ART Tuning personalizes the new Mercedes ML-Class SUV

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Ultra-luxury sports car

Bodystyles: 2-Dr Coupe;
Engines: 5.5L V 12; 5.5L V 8;
Transmissions: 5 Speed Semi-Automatic; 7 Speed Semi-Automatic;
Drivetrains: Rear Wheel Drive;

Introduction
Everyone knows Mercedes-Benz occupies one of the high rungs on the prestige ladder. It takes a long list of words to describe the characteristics that make the broad range of cars and SUVs from Stuttgart so desirable: they're luxurious and expensive, to be sure. But they're also known for handsome, modern design; superlative engineering; bank-vault solidity; precise build quality; an abundance of safety and security features; sportiness and European flair. Most of these traits come together in the all-new 2007 Mercedes CL coupe.

The CL is the seventh generation of a line of range-topping coupes dating back to the 1952 300S that have appeared sporadically through the years. Like those cars, the CL is a smaller, sportier version of Mercedes' big sedan line, in this case, today's S-Class. This time it follows the previous CL without interruption and its mission remains the same: high-performance and maximum luxury in high-style package. This is a car in which style purposely trumps practicality.

Pounding the point home is its hardtop design; there is no central B-pillar holding up the roof aft of the doors to break up the sleek lines of the body. With the windows down, the look is sexy and the view out is panoramic, recalling cars of the Fifties and Sixties when hardtops were in vogue.

Securing the right exterior proportions meant making the CL significantly shorter than the S-Class. This results in a close-coupled, intimate interior, the kind historically associated with coupes from time immemorial. We'd call the rear passenger area cramped, though similar models from BMW and Bentley actually have even less rear legroom. The CL is for being seen in. If you want practicality in a Mercedes, buy a different model.

The CL is also a car that's wonderful to be in, at least in the front seats. Its interior is sumptuous and inviting, dressed in the finest materials and tailored to perfection. Burled walnut, supple leather, brushed aluminum and designer-quality knobs and switches are everywhere you look and touch. The standard equipment list bulges with luxury items no one actually needs but almost anyone would love, from a Harman/Kardon 600-watt, 11-speaker audio system to soft ambient mood lighting. Through the Mercedes COMAND central computer interface offers many dozens of settings for seats, climate and sound system, lighting, GPS and much more can be customized to your personal preferences.

Like its predecessors, the CL manages to be sporty without being a true sports car. It comes in two versions: powerful or insanely powerful, with a choice of either a 382-hp V8 or a 510-hp V12. Its road manners are sophisticated, hushed and luxurious rather than aggressively aimed at carving up twisty roads.

It offers a breathtaking array of safety technology as standard: nine airbags; dynamic stability control; traction control ABS anti-lock brakes; automatic brake drying; seatbelt pre-tensioners, and automatic window closers, to name a few items.

The CL is ultra-luxurious, sexy, technologically advanced and very stylish with excellent all-around driving capabilities. With its occasional rear seating for two, it's roomier than a sports car but smaller than a sedan. We think the CL will be extremely appealing to a relative few drivers who fall in love with it and can afford the luxury of stylish lines over day-to-day practicality.

Lineup
The Mercedes-Benz CL550 ($99,900) comes with a 382-horsepower 5.5-liter V8. The CL600 is powered by a 510-hp twin turbocharged V12.

Standard CL equipment is comprehensive. The seats, doors and instrument panel are all leather covered; burled walnut wood trim is used liberally. The front seats are 14-way adjustable and heated, and have a three-setting memory capability that also sets the electrically telescoping-and-tilting steering wheel and side mirrors.

The standard audio system is a Harman/Kardon Logic7 5.1 Digital unit with 11 speakers and a 6CD in-dash changer (with memory card slot). Sirius satellite radio is standard. There's a power sunroof overhead and a power rear-window sunblind in the rear parcel shelf. Doors have power assist closing mechanisms, and the trunk is electrically powered.

The Mercedes COMAND system, a centralized computer interface with a dash-mounted flat panel screen, is standard. It enables access to many of the car's accessories including GPS navigation, phone, climate controls and other customizable features (exterior courtesy lights, seat settings and voice command setup). Bi-Xenon headlights are standard, as is Parktronic, a distance sensing parking aid. All CLs are equipped with ABC active suspension; it utilizes electro hydraulic cylinders to control body roll and some damping functions.

The Premium I package ($1950) includes heated and ventilated front seats and a keyless entry system. Premium II ($5650) adds multi-adjustable front seats fitted with pneumatic chambers that adjust cushion firmness and lumbar support. Also part of the package are a night vision system with an in-dash screen, and a rear backup camera. An AMG body kit ($5650) adds special aerodynamic pieces and larger 19-inch wheels (18-inch wheels are standard).

Other options include Distronic Plus distance monitoring cruise control ($2850); a heated steering wheel ($450); 19-inch multi-spoke wheels ($1200); special chrome 18-inch wheels ($1000); and an iPod integration kit ($425).

All options packages are already standard on the CL600 ($144,200). It's only available extras are the iPod kit ($425) and 19-inch multi-spoke wheels ($1200).

Safety features on all CLs include a pair of two-stage front air bags, a driver's side knee air bag; two front side airbags; two rear side airbags; and side head-curtain airbags for front and rear passengers. There are seatbelt pre-tensioners for the front passengers' belts. Windows close automatically in a crash, and a sunroof closing feature activates in rollovers. Also standard: ABS with electronic brake-force distribution and automatic wet-weather drying, dynamic stability control, traction control, and Distronic cruise control. Optional safety equipment includes Distronic Plus distance sensing cruise control.

Walkaround
There are high expectations for cars in the CL's rarefied league, which consists of a very few automobiles including the BMW 6 Series and Bentley Continental GT. Ultra-luxury coupes are a statement of style and panache, capability and quality, and they ought to look as expensive as they are. Mercedes has been making range topping coupes off and on for many years (this is the ninth generation since the 1950s) and it knows the game. The CL's styling does not disappoint.

From nose to tail, the CL is something out of the ordinary. Seen from the front, it's instantly identifiable as a Mercedes from its three-slat grille, long a staple of Benz sport models and SUVs. The famous three pointed star emblem is front and center and as large as dinner plate, just to be sure you don't mistake the CL for any other brand. As if you could. At 199.4, this is a large car and its size gives it presence.

The front end stretches wide and sweeps back into a pair of prominent flared front wheel openings, a design element derived from the S-Class sedans this car shares its underpinnings with. The width makes it look solidly planted and substantial. There's surprisingly little chrome up front. The CL could use a bit more twinkle to announce its arrival. But it's still a knockout first impression. Projector beam headlights add the final bit of modernity to the nose.

It's the sweep of the roof that makes the CL's compelling style statement. The top arcs dramatically over the side glass and down into the C-pillar without the interruption of a B-pillar, the central support post most cars have between front and rear side windows. The roofline is sleek. And this is a true hardtop; you can drop the large side windows down for a panoramic view and an open-air feeling. Handsomely wrought chrome trim framing the large side-window opening emphasizes both its shape and the absence of the second pillar. In profile, the CL is gorgeous and sporty.

Even as it drives away, the CL keeps your attention. The rear window's horseshoe-like shape is especially intriguing, and not seen anywhere else in the automotive kingdom. Below the backlight (rear windscreen) the tail tapers gracefully into a pair of large taillights and a taut trunk lid wearing a subtle built-in rear spoiler at its top edge. No, standard sedans don't look like this, and that's just the point.

Outside of the model nomenclature on the deck lid, both CL models are essentially identical from the outside.

Interior
Pulling open the door is the moment of truth in an ultra-luxury coupe. Buyers in this class are expecting sumptuousness, high-end materials and sophisticated design that convey the promise of being coddled. Everyone who looked inside our CL550 test car uttered an involuntary "wow." It's beautifully designed, richly appointed and finished with a fanatical attention to detail. And the sheer number of luxury features is almost overwhelming, another sign that the big sticker price delivers something extraordinary.

Ensconced in the driver's seat, you immediately register the raked back windshield and low roofline pressing down from above, creating a narrow viewing port ahead. The CL is just 2.2 inches lower than an S-Class but it feels much lower than that.

The surroundings are a Sybarite's delight. There's almost nowhere your hand falls that you're not touching either glove-soft leather, burled walnut, brushed aluminum or chrome. The instrument panel cover is stitched in leather, as are the door panels and seats, buckets front and rear. The steering wheel is wood with leather grips at the nine and three o'clock positions. It houses buttons in front for the phone and COMAND system, and switches behind the top spokes for manually shifting the seven-speed automatic.

The exterior's curvilinear theme is repeated in the interior. The center console curves gently into the center stack, and the interior front door panels arc outward subtly at the elbow area, the shape accented by delicate chrome accent strips. The door armrests are an artful combination of burled walnut stacked with leather covered padding. At night, soft ambient light glows from tiny hidden light strips in the doors' upper sections and across the middle of the dash. The only plastic pieces of note are the speaker covers in the lower front corner of the doors, where you hardly notice them.

The walnut trimmed center stack contains a thin row of easy-to-operate brushed aluminum climate control switches, a hidden compartment for the CD changer and a pair of vents flanking a square analog clock that looks like it could double as Patek Phillipe wristwatch.

Living in this car is every bit as satisfying as looking at it. The center console is home to a push and turn mouse-type knob that is the main interface to the COMAND system and it's thin film transistor (TFT) display. The screen is housed in a hooded binnacle to the right of the driver's gauges, which too are TFT technology.

For cars equipped with the optional night vision system, the large speedometer in front of the driver transitions to a second viewing screen whenever the system is activated. Several other buttons arrayed around the mouse control the suspension's sport and comfort modes (linked to the transmission shift program), the sound system and the multi-function seats' firmness and adjustment.

Between the steering wheel buttons and mouse, you're afforded several paths of access to the multiple layers of the CL's navigation, seating, climate control and sound systems. You can set your preferences for everything from radio stations to auxiliary lighting. You can program the voice control to recognize your particular intonations. You can input GPS travel information and requests. And you can access, activate or cancel dozens of other systems, including radar distance sensing, daytime running lamps, tire pressure monitoring, miles-to-next-vehicle display, and much, much more.

At times we wished it were easier to access some of the systems through COMAND; it took several steps where one touch of a conventional button would have worked more directly. But owners of similar systems in Mercedes and other luxury cars say that after an initial acclimation period, using the system becomes less cumbersome. And realistically, for a vehicle with this many features a centralized computer interface is the only way to accommodate them.

At least you'll never want for aural entertainment. The Harman/Kardon system's performance through its seven speakers is purely angelic. And the GPS works about as well as any we've encountered, with an easy to read rolling map and good graphics.

The CL's front seat comfort is beyond reproach. The front cabin offers all legroom, width and headroom anyone but an NBA forward could need. The power front seats are wonderful; the width and pocketing of the cushions provide just the right amount of support to the back and under the thighs, and with the full range of adjustments available almost anyone can get comfortable. Even the length of the front seat lower cushions is adjustable for just the right amount of under-leg support. Our car was equipped with the optional active ventilated seats, which contain several small fans to circulate cool or warmed air through the perforated leather seat covering. Pneumatic bladders built into the seats can be programmed to adjust the firmness of upper and lower side bolsters, back rest, shoulder area and lumbar support firmness and location. The seats also offer a massage feature, and it's quite nice, actually. We preferred the fast and vigorous setting; imagine a soft rolling pin making its way from your lumbar region to upper back. The programming is controlled through the COMAND interface using clearly marked pictograms.

These seats also could be programmed to automatically inflate upper and lower bolsters automatically when the car turned a corner to provide the driver and passenger with extra lateral support. In that mode we found them abrupt, at times taking us by surprise, and too aggressive. We left that feature de-activated, and opted for more massage.

The CL interior's only real negative is rear seat room. There isn't much. Though the rear buckets are as handsome and almost as comfortable as the front (they lack any adjustability), this is a not a place to spend much time. With a wheelbase 8.2 inches less than the commodious S-Class sedan, rear legroom is in the small-car range. Plant a six-foot driver behind the wheel and a six-foot rear-seat passenger's knees are jammed against the front seatbacks. Kids and anyone less than 5-feet, 6-inches will fit well enough. And most people will be able to handle the tight rear quarters for local trips to the mall. But this is not the car to take on a cross-countryjaunt with four average sized adults.

Oddly, that lack of interior room may be one of the CL's biggest luxury statements: it's a large car that can afford to ignore the everyday requirement of passenger-carrying practicality. Need more space? Take another car. This is apparently okay in this class: the Bentley Continental GT and BMW 6 Series have even less rear legroom.

Cargo room is just the opposite. The trunk is deep, commodious and finished in a handsome gray carpet. Under the trunk floor is a shallow but still useful cargo tray, and under that a full-sized spare. Liftover height is about average, and the electric powered opening-and-closing feature is always appreciated.

Driving Impressions
Big European ultra-luxury coupes have historically been a mix of style and an old world promise of performance. The sporty body lines say "fast."

The Mercedes-Benz CL550 we tested is a swift and smooth ride to be sure, but we'd stop short of calling it a sports sedan. It's simply too large, too soft and too luxurious. But it is rewarding to drive for just those reasons.

You start the CL with a touch of a big aluminum button to the right of the steering column. We still wonder why being able to keep the key in your pocket makes this a better solution. Then drop it into gear with a new column-mounted electronic shift lever similar to the ones BMW is now using. Purists may feel it's an odd and un-sporty throwback to have a shifter moved off of the center console and on to the steering column, but it works well and frees up space.


The 5.5-liter all-aluminum 32-valve V8 is velvety smooth and nearly silent, until you prod it. With 382 hp on tap it rushes the car to speed with a muted, purposeful growl. (Mercedes quotes zero-to-60 mph in 5.4 seconds.) The seven-speed automatic gearbox shifts imperceptibly in town, smoothly at full throttle and never gets caught in the wrong gear in traffic. Quiet, smooth, sophisticated ? this is the way the powertrain in a high-end luxury automobile should behave.

Having a gasoline-fired engine this powerful pulling a 4360-pound vehicle does create a gas mileage penalty, two actually. The first is real-world fuel economy: the EPA mileage rating is 15/22 City/Highway. And that figure triggers the Federal Gas Guzzler Tax at purchase, $1300 in this case.

If there's one word that describes the CL road experience, it's "silken." On smooth surfaces it feels as if it's riding on glass. Some vibration or road harshness must be penetrating the hushed cabin, but it just doesn't feel like it. The sportier BMW 6 Series coupes register bumps harder and reveal surface imperfections far more acutely. In the Benz, the smaller road irregularities get glossed over. Over larger bumps the ride is less supple than you might expect, almost firm, but not enough to inspire the driver to attack the curves.

The steering has a ball-of-silk feel, less sharp than the BMW and more relaxed in its responses. Though the steering effort rises with road speed, the feeling remains comfortable, smooth and luxuriously isolated rather than sports-car sharp. This is a car that wends its way down a winding road with grace and stability; the active suspension keeps it cornering quite flat. But the CL doesn't communicate the sense of the road in the way that great sports sedans do. It never gives you the urge to get aggressive like a BMW 3 Series would.

On the highway, the CL's German DNA is fully in evidence. It has a commanding, solid feel and is dead stable even at extra legal speed. It's in these upper speed ranges that you notice that wind noise has hardly increased at all. This is autobahn breeding at work.

Using the optional Distronic Plus distance sensing cruise control is an eerie and fascinating experience. The radar-based distance monitoring system automatically slows the CL, using the brakes if necessary, as you close the gap on the car in front. That distance can be set between a hundred and several hundred feet. When the system detects the lane ahead is clear again, it accelerates back to your pre-set speed. All the driver needs do is steer, an odd sensation to say the least. The system works beautifully in light Interstate traffic and reasonably well in moderately heavier intra-urban highway traffic, though it sometimes annoyed us by slowing sooner for a car up ahead than an average driver would in most circumstances.

There's more to Distronic than active cruise control. The system is now tied into a comprehensive in-car safety network. Distronic will sound an alarm if the driver is gaining too fast on the car ahead, meanwhile priming the Brake Assist Plus system to apply full emergency braking as soon as the driver presses on the brake pedal, no matter how lightly it's applied. If the driver doesn't respond to the distance alarm, the system will apply up to 40 percent of total braking capacity automatically to slow the car down.

Meanwhile, if a frontal crash is imminent, the Pre-Safe Brake system takes action: it tightens the front seat belts milliseconds before impact; moves the front passenger seat to its safest position, rams the side windows closed to add support for the side-curtain airbags (and to keep occupants arms inside the vehicle), initiates partial braking to slow the vehicle and will even close the sunroof in a rollover.

We found that in normal driving, the CL's brakes were confident, effortless and luxuriously insulated. The brake pedal action is progressive and direct. Front brakes are ventilated and cross-drilled rotors clamped by hefty four-piston calipers; the rear brakes utilize single piston calipers. You won't find a smoother set of brakes anywhere. In hard braking the system feels powerful and was free of any fade. Decelerations from even high speed were calm, quiet and drama-free, with not a whit of vibration or noise transferred through the brake pedal or into the cabin. Again, thank the requirements of German autobahn driving.

We found using the COMAND system while underway distracting, but we didn't have much practice. It is complicated enough that it will take an owner a period of time to absorb the combination of button-pushing and knob-twirling-and-tapping that best accesses and adjusts the CL's many features. Exploring the system while on the road divides the driver's concentration. In our weeklong test session, we found it best to slow down, pull over into the right lane and stay out of the way while fiddling with the system. We figure at least a month would be required for an owner to fully master COMAND, maybe more.

Virtually all of what we reported on the CL550 and its multitudinous systems is true of the CL600, which includes virtually all of them as standard. While we didn't sample a CL600 for this test, we have driven enough twin-turbocharged V12 Mercedes to know that the major difference will be increased power and even greater, whisper-smooth engine smoothness. The CL600 delivers 510 hp and, even more important, 612 pound-feet of torque, anastounding 56 percent increase over the CL550.

The V12 Mercedes we have driven in the recent past are so smooth and quiet in stop-and-go traffic they feel almost like silent-running electric vehicles. Yet awe-inspiring acceleration is just a push of the pedal away; Mercedes quotes a zero-to-60 time of 4.5 seconds, smack in the middle of the range for Corvettes, Porsches and Ferraris. There's so much low-end power on tap that the tires would spin wildly if not for the traction and stability control systems working overtime. Highway acceleration feels like a DVD on fast-forward. We don't know why anyone would actually need this much power in a CL, but it is amazing to experience it.

Summary & Specs
The Mercedes-Benz CL coupe is a melding of sensuous design and cosseting luxury that few other vehicles in the world can match. But its strength is its weakness: The sacrifices necessary to achieve uncompromised design create a major deficit in passenger-carrying capability. Two doors and tight rear-seat confines mean that buyers should think twice before committing to this beautiful cruiser; they could soon feel buyer's remorse at spending this much money on a car with limited day-to-day usefulness. The rest is pure wonderfulness, from the CL's svelte driving dynamics to its near endless list of luxury and safety equipment. This is a car for people who are smitten by its special nature and not intimidated by its obvious drawbacks. We simply suggest taking a good hard look before you leap.

Rich Ceppos filed this report to NewCarTestDrive.com from Ann Arbor, Michigan.

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