Ucarmagazine

The most imposing vehicle in the Mercedes-Benz range is the GL Class. Despite its robust nature, this all-terrain vehicle is also distinguished by an ambiance that captivates S Class drivers. The impression of luxury given can be refined even more at Carlsson in the southwest German town of Merzig. The GL 500 promises a good combination of long-range ability and excellent performance. As the CK50 by Carlsson, however, it surpasses its standard counterpart by far in terms of power, speed and luxury.
In a class of its own: Carlsson CK50 engine kit

Developed by Carlsson especially for the GL, the CK50 engine kit accelerates not only the driver’s pulse but also the elegant automobile in just 6.1 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h. No less impressive is the engine output after being given the Carlsson treatment: the tuned V8 develops 435 bhp / 320 kW (standard 388 bhp / 285 kW) at 6000 rpm coupled with 600 Nm of torque at 2800-4800 rpm. Top speed according to Carlsson is 248 km/h.

Stainless steel double tail pipes

The goose bumps generating sound of the CK50 is released through four oval Carlsson-tail pipes. At the same time, they help the corpulent rear of this offroader look notedly more individual and sporty for a long time. Because the used material, namely stainless steel, withstands the most adverse environmental conditions.

C-Tronic SUSPENSION electronic lowering kit

Exclusively for the GL 500, Carlsson offers the C-Tronic SUSPENSION electronic lowering kit that reduces the ride height of the vehicle by approx. 35 mm. Drivers can be sure that lowering the car gives it a significantly more sporting look.

The C-Tronic SUSPENSION not only lowers the center of gravity but also, thanks to the sophisticated technology, interacts intelligently with the road surface. On poor roads on which the suspension has to work hard, the car’s ride height is automatically adjusted to ensure the spring travelling remaining is sufficient for constant ride comfort. Drivers notice the effects of the C-Tronic lowering via a reduced tendency to roll and considerably more agile handling. In other words, the C-Tronic SUSPENSION also stands for greater driving pleasure.

For a perfect finish: 2/11 BE

The aim of the Carlsson engineers with the 2/11 BE was to develop a sporting and elegant wheel which is comparatively light and yet of high strength. The multi-spoke design of the wheel 2/11 is the perfect solution for a weight-optimized wheel. The power which affect the wheel is optimally led into the wheel spider by the uniform distribution of the 11 spokes. In this way an overdimensioned wall thickness can be avoided and a minor weight of the wheel can be reached. Another important benefit, especially in the case of bigger cars, is the excellent brake ventilation, which results in improved braking characteristics.

The 2/11 BE is offered with the unique surface-finish combination ‘Brilliant Edition’. The juxtaposition of a highly polished rim base and a brilliantly painted center underlines the elegant design of the new Carlsson light-metal wheel. In the Mercedes-Benz tuning sector this combination of two different surface finishes can only be found exclusively at Carlsson and makes this wheel an inimitable accessory. Carlsson offers the wheel in 10 x 22“ with 305/35 22 tires.

Wheel 1/11 Evo BE

The design of the Carlsson 1/11 Evo BE is a further development of the tried, tested and popular 1/11 BE wheel. With the new wheel, Carlsson has once again confirmed that the company’s claim that a wheel should not only have a visual impact but also offer technical benefits, e.g., that it is as light as possible.

For the GL-Class, Carlsson offers its 11-spoke wheel 1/11 Evo BE in the dimensions 10×22“ with 295/35 ZR tires.

Elegance with a high comfort factor

Anyone familiar with Carlsson knows that the Merzig-based automobile specialists have a fine sense for luxury. Carlsson uses only top-quality parts and materials. No matter whether the finest nappa leather, combinations of Alcantara and leather, multi-media conversions or appointments in carbon and precious wood, Carlsson converts and individualises every GL in accordance with the customer’s wishes. Customer satisfaction has the highest priority. Get in, feel at home and drive off – Carlsson turns every GL into a mobile wellness zone.

Further information about the exclusive range of tuning parts for Mercedes-Benz automobiles is available from Carlsson in Merzig, the Carlsson sales network or any Carlsson dealer.

Carlsson Tuned Mercedes SL500
Carlsson Tuned Mercedes-Benz ML 320 CDI

smart is helping the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) cut carbon emissions in London as they take part in the market trial of the fully electric, smart ed (electric drive).

Four versions of the iconic, low emission, two-seater car will be used in congested urban areas for routine police operations. Two of the cars have Metropolitan Police livery and will be deployed in Central London and at Heathrow Airport.

The smart ed is powered solely by electricity and is charged using a standard three-pin plug. The car emits no carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, unburned hydrocarbons or particulate matter. It is incredibly economical and can achieve the equivalent of around 300 miles per gallon.

Stuart Middleton, Director of Transport Services, Metropolitan Police Service, said: “The public might be surprised to see smart ‘police’ cars on the streets of London but we’re very excited about taking part in this market trial.

Policing a city like London brings its own particular challenges and we’re always keen to try out new innovations and ideas. The smart ed enables us to have a police presence in very congested areas.

Dermot Kelly, Managing Director, Mercedes-Benz Cars, commented: “This smart ed market trial is an important part of our commitment to sustainable mobility. It’s positive news that a very visible organisation like the Metropolitan Police understands the benefits of the car and we’ll be working closely with them to gather data about the cars’ performance in everyday life.”

The smart ed has a top speed of 60 mph and has a range of up to 70 miles in between charges. The car has all the safety equipment that customers expect: ABS, ESP, passenger and driver airbags and seat belt pre-tensioners.

When Mercedes-Benz introduced its SLR McLaren 722, there was a bit of confusion about the special-edition’s name. Many believed the car would offer a fire-breathing, 722 hp supercharged V8, but it doesn’t (it makes 650 hp). Some believed that “722″ meant there would be 722 of the cars made … but that was wrong, too. In the end, the 722 badge actually referred to 7:22AM - the starting time of Sterling Moss’ epic 1955 Mille Miglia run in a then-new Mercedes SLR.

SO, 722 = 7:22AM, not 722 hp.

While the automotive enthusiasts of the world uttered a collective (and skeptical) “um … OK”, Hartmut Feyhl took one look and announced: “this car should have 722 hp”. When most enthusiasts say things like that, they can be easily ignored - but when Feyhl says something like this - it happens.

Hartmut is the owner and chief engineer of RENNTECH, the South Florida-based tuning firm best known for producing incredibly powerful Mercedes-Benz automobiles that often redefine what highly-tuned exotic cars should and should not be capable of.

Last year, RENNTECH introduced their own “722″ option: RENNTECH SLR Performance PKG1. RENNTECH’s PKG1 upgrades included upgraded intercoolers, a larger crankshaft pulley, and custom ECU software that delivered the full 722 hp SLR customers expected (along with more than 700 lb-ft of torque!). RENNTECH announced the package in an April ‘07 press release titled “Here in Florida, 722 Means What You Think it Means”, and SLR customers responded by sending their cars to Feyhl’s Florida garage from across the Western hemisphere …

… of course, after driving their new 722 hp rocketship for a few months, some of Feyhl’s customers started asking for more, which brings us to RENNTECH’s latest batch of SLR tuning options: SLR Performance PKG2 and new RENNTECH Signature 10-spoke, 3 pc. performance wheels.

Available for both the “standard” SLR and 722 models, PKG2 builds on RENNTECH’s previous upgrades by adding a less restrictive, motorsports-style exhaust system and re-mapped ECU software to boost the already powerful SLR engine to over 740 hp at 6400 rpm.

To give the SLR more visual impact, RENNTECH now offers its Signature 10 spoke wheels in SLR offsets and 3 finishes (chrome, satin-ceramic, and sniper gray). Pricing for RENNTECH’s SLR performance upgrades are set at 12990US for PKG1 and 26990US for PKG2. RENNTECH 20″ wheels are 1950US (ea.). Big Brake upgrades also available - contact RENNTECH for more.

£187,000 Mercedes SLR McLaren Record Auction
2008 Mercedes CLS55 Renntech PKG5 Plus