Welcome back ladies and gentlemen; I hope you all had a fantastic weekend. We didn’t quite find the time you bring this article last week, but we felt this article was worth a mention even late, because let’s be honest: who doesn’t love reading about a 228,500 euro two-tone GL-Class? I know I do, so here for your viewing pleasure is the Carlsson Aigner CK55 RS Rascasse, a limited edition Mercedes GL500 developed by Mercedes tuning firm Carlsson and the luxury leather brand Etienne Aigner AG.
According to Carlsson, “the star qualities of this car are obvious at a glance.” First and foremost, there’s the paintwork, consisting of several coats of hand-rubbed wine-red metallic paint applied below the window line accented by black on the upper half of the model. Furthermore, there’s a complete Carlsson body kit present, ranging from wider wheel arches, new side skirts and a new front and rear apron all the up to a new bonnet with integrated power domes. And the grille – let’s not forget that big mesh, Chevy-looking grille.
So what else does 228,500 euros get you? More power, courtesy of Carlsson’s engine conversion system for Mercedes’ 5,461cc, 48-valve, DOHC V8. As a result, the Carlsson Aigner CK55 RS Rascasse boasts a total output of 456 hp (335 kW) with 640Nm of torque, enough to propel the model from 0-62 mph in 5.9 seconds (compared to 6.5 seconds for a traditional GL500).
And last but not least, being a collaboration between Carlsson and a luxury leather brand, there’s bound to be a fantastically ostentatious interior, and judging by its description, it sounds like the Aigner CK55 RS Rascasse will fail to disappoint. According to Carlsson, the SUV uses only the finest hides and Alcantara to cover the seats, dashtop, door panels and center console, all of which feature the dark shade of red found on the model’s exterior. Ensuring the optimum in drinking while backseat driving, an integrated fridge has been added, while the removal of three of the model’s rear seats (leaving two individual passenger seats) ensures you’ll have plenty of space to get your swerve on.
If you’re interested, as already noted, flamboyance isn’t cheap, as the Carlsson Aigner CK55 RS Rascasse will set you back EUR 228,000 and change. Only 20 are set for production, however, so if you want one, you better act quick.
For more info on the Carlsson Aigner CK55 RS Rascasse, keep scrolling for the official press release.
While we’re on the subject of Mercedes G-Class tuning, RENNtech has unveiled new renderings showcasing a potential variant of the SUV that they’re considering for future production. Details of the G Wagen are relatively limited, but the company says it’s inspired by 30 years of G-Wagens and will feature a diesel powerplant (in addition to the various cosmetic enhancements you see above).
We’ll keep you posted if any new details are released; in the meantime, you can check out a pair of renderings showcasing the chrome-endowed model below (click either to enlarge).
If you’re looking for a way to spice up your somewhat conservative Mercedes C-Class, German tuning firm Väth has unveiled a new series of enhancements for the model under the moniker V18K. I know, the prospect of altering your traditional C-Class may sound somewhat daunting for those of you already fond of your standard C, but not to worry, as the V18K is by all accounts a relatively minor tuning program when compared to the vast number of other Mercedes tuning programs available.
From a mechanical standpoint, changes come by way of software optimization program, the result of which is a 31 hp improvement in the C200. With its newfound 215 total horsepower, top speed in the C-Class rises, increasing 3 mph to 149 mph. Outside, modifications are again fairly restrained. A new front apron, a black radiator grille sans Mercedes star, black 18-inch wheels, a rear spoiler and stainless steel exhaust system are all present, while completing the package is a tweaking of the suspension, resulting in a ride height 45mm lower in the front and 35mm lower in the rear.
If you’re interested, pricing for the Väth V18K comes in at EUR 1773 for the engine optimization, while pricing for the cosmetic enhancements varies by piece.
To see more of the Väth V18K C-Class, keep scrolling for more photos of the model (click any to enlarge).
If you’re wondering what the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG looks like clad in a garish gold/chrome paint job, then wonder no more, as our friend Vincent over at Autoblog.nl directed us to photos depicting this very subject. It’s difficult to discern whether or not the C63 is actually gold or whether or it’s more of a gold color mixed with chrome, as it could be the lighting that increases the model’s golden appearance, but either way, it’s one fantastically lurid paint color that few would dare to actually place on their vehicle.
To see more of the golden Mercedes C63 AMG, which was spotted at the Mall of the Emirates, keep scrolling for a few additional photos, all of which enlarge when you click them.
Here’s a quick note for those of you looking to add a touch of aftermarket styling to your Mercedes SLK. Expression Motorsport has just sent over a couple pictures showcasing their new rear bumper with integrated carbon diffuser for the model – one that looks slightly reminiscent of the rear diffuser found on the current SL63 AMG and SL65 AMG. It’s available for both traditional SLK’s as well as the AMG variant, and can therefore be paired with either the dual pipes or quad pipes your SLK is equipped with.
Pricing information for the bumper wasn’t specified, but if you’re interested, you can contact Expression Motorsport for the specifics. To see a larger view of the new bumper fitted on a pair of SLK’s, you can also check out two pics below, each of which enlarge when you click them.
Just when you thought you’d seen the last of RENNTECH’s work on the Mercedes SLR McLaren, the company is back tuning the supercar yet again, unveiling what they call the “777 Concept.” The model is being introduced to celebrate the 20th anniversary of RENNTECH, and as such, it shows fantastically the magic RENNTECH-tuned models are capable of.
Seven hundred seventy-seven horsepower; a top speed of more than 210 miles-per-hour; extensive lightweight aerodynamic body components; and a limited production of just 20 units – this is just a sampling of what customers of the RENNTECH 777 concept have to look forward to.
According to Hartmut Feyhl, president of RENNTECH: ” Last year, it was a coincidence that we were releasing a
new, 695 hp performance package for the 65 series AMG
cars at around the same time. We sent out a press
release that said ‘HP War Not Over’. This year it is the same timing again, and we have something much more extreme to
announce for our 20th Anniversary.” He adds: “This 777 concept is really an all-new car that makes use of the advanced carbon fiber chassis of the SLR McLaren. It can be described as a street-legal track car, or something closer to what the enthusiasts were hoping for from the SLR, originally – which is more a successor to the McLaren F1.”
If you’re interested, the first of the RENNTECH 777 concepts is being built now, with pricing available on request. For a small preview of what to expect, however, keep scrolling for a pair of photos highlighting the model (click either to enlarge), followed by the full press release detailing its various attributes.
BRABUS, purveyors of some of the finest tuning programs in existence, have just released an update for their WIDESTAR M-Class tuning package – one designed specifically for the refreshed new-generation ML. Like its predecessor, the new BRABUS WIDESTAR is roughly five centimeters wider than the a traditional M-Class, the result of which is both a more aggressive stance and improved handling.
To make the BRABUS WIDSTAR what it is, the company’s engineers improved upon a number of key areas: the front apron, the front and rear fender flares, the door trim, the rocker panels and the rear apron. In tandem with these body components, BRABUS also modified the suspension, dropping the ML by some 30 millimeters before adding 23-inch BRABUS forged wheels. Completing the outside package, a BRABUS stainless-steel quad sport exhaust system is present, as is a rear spoiler.
Of course, no BRABUS tuning program is complete without modifications to the engine, and the BRABUS WIDESTAR is no exception. For the top-of-the-line ML63 AMG, BRABUS offers a B63S package, increasing power output to 550 hp (542 bhp / 404.8 kW). For the ML320 CDI, the D6 (III) power kit is available, the result of which is a maximum output of 272 hp (268 bhp / 200 kW). And for the ML500, the BRABUS 6.1 displacement engine has been created, a program that boosts power to 462 hp (456 bhp / 340 kW). There’s engine tuning programs for the rest of the ML family is well, but this at least gives you some idea of what’s available.
And last but not least, should you desire a few additional luxuries inside your BRABUS WIDESTAR M-Class, various functional interior appointments are all at your disposal. An ergonomically shaped sport steering wheel, stainless-steel scuff plates, a multimedia system with 7-inch monitors in the rear headrests – if you desire it, there’s a good chance BRABUS can meet your wishes (for a price, of course). The best part? BRABUS can upgrade any Mercedes M-Class, regardless of model, to WIDESTAR status.
If you’re interested, you can see specifically the various attributes of the BRABUS WIDESTAR Mercedes M-Class in the photo gallery below (click any pic to enlarge). You can also check out the full list of features and available options in the official press, immediately after.