A while back, we brought you a story about Mercedes unveiling the CLS 55 AMG "IWC Ingenieur" Edition.  At the time the story was originally published, we weren't quite as well known, so you may not have read our initial story.  Because of this fact, and also because the CLS Ingenieur recently made headlines again, I thought it would be the perfect time to re-acquaint you with the most beautiful CLS ever to grace the planet earth.

The Mercedes CLS Ingenieur is the product of a collaboration between Mercedes and IWC, or the International Watch Company. It features a host of cosmetic enhancements, including exclusive dark titanium-grey metallic paint, a custom interior featuring piano-lacquer black accents, and a new AMG instrument cluster custom designed to match IWC's AMG watch.

If you haven't seen the car, view the enlarged photos below.  It is, in my opinion, a stunning work of art - so stunning, in fact, that I may consider sacrificing a kidney or my firstborn child, if anyone is in the market for either of the two.

Now that I've shared my obvious infatuation with the car, here's the real reason for the story.  Mercedes of Australia has announced that they have sold their entire allotment of CLS Ingenieurs - all seven of them.  In other words, if you're in Australia and you've fallen in love with the CLS like I have, you're too late.  Mercedes does plan on producing 55 CLS Ingenieurs total, however, so you may still be able to get one from another country.  If you're wondering what the asking price is for this lovely creature, Mercedes-Benz of Australia's retail price was $297,900 AUD, or about $225,800 USD.

Now as I was saying, if anyone is in need of a kidney, maybe we can work something out...

You can check out photos of the Mercedes CLS 55 AMG IWC Ingenieur as well as the IWC Ingenieur AMG watch below, followed by the full Australian press release.




















OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE


Exclusive CLS 55 AMG “IWC Ingenieur” sells out

Melbourne – The runaway sales success of the new “four-door Coupé” from Mercedes-Benz has been further highlighted by the sell-out status of the exclusive model known as the CLS 55 AMG “IWC Ingenieur”.

Seven Australian customers have secured an order for one of the unique four-door coupes, which were developed by Mercedes-AMG in cooperation with the Swiss watchmaker IWC Schaffhausen.

At a recommended retail price of $297,900, only 55 units of the unique four-door coupe will be produced worldwide with Australia increasing its allocation from the five units initially destined for arrival early next year to seven.

Demand from Australia for this unique model represents a ten-fold increase on the country’s share of global Mercedes-Benz passenger car sales in any given year.

“The new CLS-Class four-door Coupé has been a sales hit in Australia with many customers appreciating the vehicle concept which for the first time combined the elegance and dynamism of a coupe with the comfort and practicality of a saloon,” said Horst von Sanden, managing director of the Mercedes Car Group in Australia.

“Thanks to substantial interest from enthusiastic customers in Australia we have sold out our allocation of the unique CLS 55 AMG “IWC Ingenieur, even after requesting additional cars,” said von Sanden.

Sales of the CLS-Class range in Australia have already exceeded expectations with the first 400 cars delivered in less than six months.

The new CLS 55 AMG “IWC Ingenieur” has a powerful AMG 5.5-litre supercharged V8 engine and boasts exclusive equipment details. The design of the newly designed AMG instrument cluster is based on the new “Ingenieur” watch family from IWC, which made its world debut at the Geneva watch show in April 2005. The 55 units of the CLS 55 AMG “IWC Ingenieur” will each be customised at AMG in Affalterbach, Germany.

The CLS 55 AMG “IWC Ingenieur” features exclusive dark titanium grey metallic paint. All of the exterior decorative elements, including the radiator grille louvres, fog light rings, side window bezels, handle inserts and rear trim, come in the same matt titanium colour, which matches the top-quality titanium case of the new “Ingenieur AMG” watch from IWC.

19-inch AMG light-alloy wheels with a five-spoke titanium look

The side view of the vehicle is also visually appealing. Its 19-inch AMG light-alloy wheels in a five-spoke design also have a matt titanium look, harmonising with the vehicle’s exterior paint. In combination with the tyres (255/35 R 19 at the front and 285/30 R 19 at the rear), the AMG wheels not only provide a look to be coveted, but also guarantee optimised handling.

In addition, the superlative coupe design of the CLS 55 AMG “IWC Ingenieur” is defined by the muscular AMG styling, including the dynamically contoured front apron with large air inlets and circular fog lights, side-skirt panels and a distinctive rear apron with a particularly sporty diffuser. The oval twin tailpipes of the AMG sports exhaust system make a strong final impression. The stylishly integrated AMG spoiler lip in the boot lid reduces the lift acting on the rear axle by about 30 per cent, which contributes to better driving stability at high speeds.

AMG instrument cluster speaks the design language of IWC’s “Ingenieur AMG”

The exclusive nature of the new CLS 55 AMG “IWC Ingenieur” is also apparent in its interior. One striking feature here is the completely redesigned AMG instrument cluster. With rhodanised and silver needles, white lighting and black dials with a new typographical style, the cluster’s analogue clock, speedometer and tachometer are designed in line with IWC’s new “Ingenieur AMG” watch. The titanium shade of the watchcase is repeated in the edge trim and the decorative rings of the AMG instrument cluster. The IWC logo integrated into the analogue clock refers to the partnership with Mercedes-AMG.

In contrast to the series-produced version of the CLS 55 AMG, the limited-edition vehicle boasts decorative elements in high-quality piano lacquer. The intricate paint work, which involves applying several layers of black and varnish, results in a particular deep, luscious sheen. Furthermore, the “IWC Ingenieur” lettering is inlaid on the cover of the storage compartment in the centre console, adding an extra touch of exclusivity.

AMG sports seats with nappa leather upholstery in a titanium look

The electrically adjustable AMG sports seats with multi-contour function, memory function and seat heating, feature the characteristic AMG upholstery piping and perforation pattern with double stitching. They are covered in the finest exclusive nappa leather with a titanium look. Matt titanium AMG emblems are set into the seat backs.

Interior decorative elements in matt titanium; new AMG ergonomic sports steering wheel

A further difference from the series-produced CLS 55 AMG is the vehicle’s chrome elements, all of which are galvanized in matt titanium. The roof liner in anthracite alcantara also adds to the special atmosphere. Piping galvanized with matt titanium can be found on the interior door panels, and the door tread panels with AMG lettering illuminated in white also feature a titanium look.

The AMG emblems on the selector lever are also in matt titanium. Each of the 55 automobiles is equipped with the KEYLESS-GO system, and a new AMG ergonomic sports steering wheel with a strikingly moulded rim in black nappa leather comes as standard.

Highly qualified AMG employees in Affalterbach will be responsible for customising the 55 units of the CLS 55 AMG “IWC Ingenieur”.

Cooperation between Mercedes-AMG GmbH and IWC Schaffhausen

The CLS 55 AMG “IWC Ingenieur” is the result of the partnership between Mercedes-AMG GmbH and IWC Schaffhausen that was agreed on 1 October 2004. Both companies are known for their passion for the highest precision combined with a sense of understatement. Mercedes-AMG and IWC Schaffhausen each place great emphasis on precision engineering, high technology and craftsmanship, as guaranteed by products that meet the highest expectations in terms of quality.

A new watch named the IWC “Ingenieur AMG” was launched to complement the CLS 55 AMG “IWC Ingenieur”. This robust, sporty timepiece is available in five variants: an “Ingenieur Automatic AMG” in titanium with a titanium strap or a soft black strap; an “Ingenieur Chronograph AMG” in titanium with a titanium strap or a soft black strap; and a limited-edition “IWC Ingenieur Automatik CLS 55 AMG”, of which only 55 have been made. This model is available exclusively to customers of the CLS 55 AMG “IWC Ingenieur”. Each timepiece has a red minute graduation and a titanium casing with the AMG logo engraved on the back. The “Ingenieur Automatik AMG” additionally has a red second hand, while the “Ingenieur Chronograph AMG” features a red stop hand. Like every “IWC Ingenieur”, these models are equipped with a robust high-precision movement, and their sophisticated waterproofing system means that they are waterproof to depths of up to 120 metres. The very first IWC “Ingenieur” was produced in 1955, and only 1,000 were ever made. Today they are sought-after collectors’ items.


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