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The AutoGuide News Blog is your source for breaking stories from the auto industry. Delivering news immediately, the AutoGuide Blog is constantly updated with the latest information, photos and video from manufacturers, auto shows, the aftermarket and professional racing.
 |  Jul 15, 10:47 AM

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Well this is really no surprise from Carlsson. Having already released a tuning package for the sedan, we knew a Cabriolet version wouldn’t be far off. Mercedes-Benz has really done a fantastic job changing the E-Class from mundane luxury sedan to sporty coupe and convertible, filling voids and increasing the breadth of the E-Class moniker. And Carlsson’s tuning kit brings much of the same consistency we can expect from their reputable brand.

Targeted towards the E350 CDI, a C-Tronic Diesel Power plug-and-play ECU increases horsepower from 231-hp to 280-hp. Torque skyrockets from 400 ft-lbs to close to 480 ft-lbs. Impressive indeed, especially at the price of $2,300. Sport mufflers are available for $2,950 giving the E-Class Cabriolet a nice, sporty and throatier tone.

On the exterior is classic Carlsson styling that is often seen on many Mercedes-Benz models. There is a front spoiler, front spoiler lip, and rear spoiler available as subtle enhancements to the exterior. Lowering springs and Carlsson’s signature wheels are also available – which is expected and almost assumed with any tuning package.

And of course there are your interior upgrades including a new shifter, door pins, floor mats and pedals. Of course these all carry a pretty price premium. All of it will run you around $900.

GALLERY: Carlsson Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet

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Official press release available after the break.

Continue Reading…

 |  Jul 07, 9:00 AM

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Mercedes has just unveiled a military-grade version of its timeless G-Wagon at the Eurosatory defense expo in France. And as with all German vehicles, it seems they must either come with an extra long press release, or an extra long name. Thankfully for us, this one comes with the latter. Although, the name is so lengthy it might as well be a press release all on its own. Ready for it? It’s call the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon Light Armoured Patrol Vehicle 6.X CONCEPT. That’s “concept” in capital letters – in case you’re a little hard of hearing.

Highlights of this unique concept include a powerful diesel engine that can move this heavyweight up to almost 100 mph, while transporting 1.3 tons of cargo. The short wheelbase and cockpit-adjustable shock absorbers on the lifted suspension provide 450mm (17.7-inches) of ground clearance, with an approach angle of 50 degrees and a departure angle of 45 degrees. There’s also an armored plate system where the pieces can be quickly replace when damaged, not to mention a “mine deflector” underbelly.

It might be a far cry from a production military vehicle, but it is cool as hell. Hopefully Mercedes will haul this thin out for SEMA.

GALLERY: G-Wagon Light Armoured Patrol Vehicle 6.X CONCEPT

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Official release after the jump:

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 |  Jun 20, 6:58 AM

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GWA-Tuning is working on helping give the wagon body style a rebirth, and has released this full body kit for the Mercedes-Benz E63 Wagon. And while we’re huge wagon fans and welcome any aftermarket tuner that focuses on wagons with open arms, we’re a little unsure how this one ranks in our books.

There’s no denying that the new E-Class chassis is picking up a lot of praise so it’s no surprise the aftermarket is all about its variants from the coupe to the sedan to the convertible to the wagon. GWA-Tuning’s body kit reminds us a little bit of the Cadillac CTS-V front end which could be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on your perspective. The basic kit comes complete for around $18,500 which includes a new front bumper with carbon fiber vents and spoiler, LED running lights, a massively opened grille and new brake cooling vents. New side skirts with cooling ducts round off the side of the wagon while the rear gets a carbon fiber diffuser with an LED fog lamp and roof spoiler.

An option for an additional $9,000 or so, you can also grab yourself a pair of 19×8.5-inch wheels in the front and larger and wider 20×10-inch wheels for the rear. An exhaust equipped with button to open up the valves also comes with the optional upgrade with a lowering module as well. In the interior are GWA-Tuning’s aluminum pedals, foot rest and new illuminated door sills.

Even though the renderings are top-notch, we’re interested to see how this kit will look on an actual vehicle. For now we’ll stay reserved on our opinion and just be thankful that wagon tuning is alive and well.

GALLERY: GWA-Tuning Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG Wagon

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See the official GWA-Tuning release after the jump:

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 |  Jun 16, 1:17 PM

Pimpin’ ain’t easy, even in the U.S. But what about in Kazakhstan? Unless you’re a mobster, a chauffeur, or a car thief, odds are, you’ll never get to drive a Rolls-Royce Phantom. Most people outside of major cities have never even seen one. That fact may work to mechanic Ruslan Mukanov’s advantage, as he’s simply built himself one on a late model Mercedes 300D chassis.

Using only $3,000 worth of plaster and fiberglass, and many weekends of elbow grease, Mukanov has created his own Rolls Royce Phantom. Sure, it’s got a 3.0-liter diesel engine, not a BMW V12, and the leather is standard 80′s Benz “perforated,” but the suicide doors are functional, the Rolls Royce emblems are real, and Kazakhstani girls are dropping their штанишки left and right.

I gotta say, we’ve seen worse.

Video of Mukanov trying in vain to pull into a snowy driveway after the jump.

[Source: JamesList]

Continue Reading…

 |  Jun 15, 9:44 PM

It looks like the Mercedes SL65 AMG Black Series is a true winner, with more and more replicas coming out of the woodwork. TC-Concepts has now produced their own version of an AMG Black conversion, allowing any SL-owner to do it themselves while preserving full use of their convertible roof. The German Tuner teamed up with ATT Tec and American wheel manufacturer ADV1 for this beautiful demo car - which of course, had to be black.

They started with a standard SL65 so they’d have all those gobs of power and added their Black Series body kit full equipped with new grille, bumper and fender flares. ADV1 wheels are known for their deep concave in their spokes, so these 20-inch variants offer an interesting contrasting depth to the massive widebody. TC-Concepts wanted the power to back up the looks, so they did their own tweaks to the 6.0L twin-turbo V12 to up horsepower to 690-hp which is 30 more than the Black Series.

Anyone for a cruise on PCH with the top down? Just supply the car please!

GALLERY: TC-Concepts Mercedes-Benz SL65

[Source: GTSpirit]

 |  Jun 07, 10:04 AM

Lorinser just sent us a “first glance” at what the German tuner’s program for the next-generation Mercedes CLS might look like. This immediately stuck us as strange, as it’s rather hard to design an aero it for a car when you don’t even know what it looks like in the first place.

That got us thinking: perhaps the designers at Lorinser do know exactly what the next-gen CLS looks like. It’s no surprise that German tuning firms and automakers often have close working relationships, with many of the tuning folks having formerly worked at the OEMs. So we decided to ask our source at Lorinser who responded by saying that “officially” the Lorinser designers haven’t seen that CLS, but that numerous spy photos inspired the design. He also added that Lorinser is just a stones throw away from the Mercedes factory in Untertuerkheim, which is near the company’s headquarters in Stuttgart.

With the CLS set to debut either later this year at the Paris Auto Show or early next year in Geneva, we’ll find out then exactly how close the ties between Lorinser and Mercedes are.

Find out more about the Lorinser CLS design after the jump:

Continue Reading…

 |  Jun 01, 6:39 PM

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The newly facelifted Mercedes-Benz SL offers a much more aggressive design. What it also leaves are R230 chassis owners wishing they could revamp their front end to the new generation without forking over the cash for a whole new car. There have been several aftermarket manufacturers that are catering to that market, offering all new front ends – hood, fenders, headlights, front bumper – to convert their SL to match. Prior Design has put their bid in with one of the nicer and more complete kits on the market for those R230 owners looking to rejuvenate their car.

Mimicking the AMG Black Series, Prior Design’s SL63 package is aggressive and offers no hint of subtlety to the conversion. Their version of the widebody isn’t as aggressive as the AMG Black, offering a fine balance for the daily drivers that aren’t looking at screaming for attention. Their demo car also sports a set of aggressively designed wheels that actually fit the overall theme of the car. We can’t help but think that it wouldn’t be as pretty of a sight if these wheels were on any other car.

If you’re in the older R230 chassis, the full package costs $17,000 since additional parts (such as the hood and headlights) are required to do the conversion. For those sporting the already facelifted SL, your charge is a “measly” $11,000.

Again though, we wish some of these aftermarket manufacturers would use cars that aren’t black. Sure the black on black looks menacing and mean, but a light colored car will really show off all the new curves and lines. Nonetheless, Prior Design has done a fantastic job for those looking for a nice alternative to AMG Black styling.

GALLERY: Prior Design Mercedes-Benz SL63

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[Source: Jon Sibal]

 |  May 28, 9:26 AM

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We’ll say it since everyone’s thinking it. Mercedes-Benz is really milking this generation E-Class for all it’s worth. First the sedan was released to much praise; then the coupe comes out and everyone rejoices, and now the cabriolet. But who benefits more from Mercedes-Benz’s continual segmentation from their E-Class? Brabus of course!

After releasing tuning packages for both the sedans and the coupes, their natural progression is over to the cabriolet. And this time they’ll have everything ready for the vehicle’s market launch. Clearly this luxury convertible screams sportiness which is what Brabus built off of: exclusive, sporty and highly individual.

All Brabus tuning packages are comprehensive from bumper to bumper, engine to interior and this package is no different. Starting with engine upgrades, various packages are available based on the E-Class model. We’ll skip over the boring E 250 CDI, CGI and E 350 CDI, CGI and go straight to the E500 (E550 in North America). A stroker kit increases displacement of 5.5-liters to 6.1-liters, which starts the bottom end modifications. New cylinder heads with special camshafts are paired up to the V8 block while bolt-ons include a Brabus stainless-steel exhaust system and high-performance catalytic converters. And of course the ECU is re-programmed. This program throws down 462-hp with 453 ft-lbs of torque. That’s good for 0-62 mph in 4.7 seconds!

An aerodynamic package is manufactured from high-quality Pur-R-Rim plastics which resembles OEM quality – just what we’d expect from Brabus. A front spoiler incorporates daytime LED running lights while front sport fenders sports some air vents. The rear diffuser is setup to incorporate the Brabus quad-tip exhaust.

As always, plenty of wheels can be selected from Brabus from 17- to 19-inch with a recommended staggered 19-inch setup sporting 235/35/19 and 275/30/19 sized tires. Brabus did hint that 20-inch wheels are on the horizon. Lowering options are available from sport springs (1.2-inch) to adjustable coilovers with variable damper rates.

Never to overlook any aspect, Brabus six-piston aluminum calipers with 14.2-inch slotted and drilled rotors in the front while the rear sports four-piston calipers. And if your wallet is still full after all this, talk to them about some custom interior upgrades. You know you wanna.

GALLERY: Brabus Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet

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Official press release after the jump:

Continue Reading…

 |  May 14, 7:03 AM

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So how do you go about making something good, better? How about after it’s better, even more better? Well, that’s exactly what Brabus has done with its T65 RS Tuning for the SL65 AMG Black Series. Mercedes-Benz‘ SL65 is good. The AMG Black variant is better. Arguably much better. Now comes Brabus’ package on the Black Series that makes the better, even more better. Perhaps, dare we say it, the best.

We previously reported on the Brabus Vanish, that was a one-off, 800-hp SL65 AMG Black Series. It’s not one-off anymore with Brabus publicly announcing the T65 RS Tuning package for the SL65 AMG Black Series. So for those with the really, really, really deep pockets, Brabus will outfit any SL65 AMG Black Series with 800-hp and give you close to 740 ft-lbs of torque. The sprint to 62 mph takes just 3.6 seconds with top speed of 206 mph on the horizon.

This T65 RS package includes an upgraded twin-turbo system with new exhaust manifolds, turbochargers and four giant intercoolers under the carbon fiber hood. Brabus also tunes a new exhaust system to freely flow all the extra forced induced air.

The interior isn’t left stock either with a nice combination of leather and Alcantara. It’s also nicely outfitted with red stitching and Brabus garnishes. And flat black isn’t the only shade available, Brabus will further customize your SL65 AMG Black Series if you want to any special paint job or customization.

GALLERY: Brabus T65 RS Vanish SL65 AMG Black

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Official press release is available after the break.

Continue Reading…

 |  May 13, 11:40 AM

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Vorsteiner has slowly been building themselves up as a premier North American-based European tuner. Their recent releases have generated a lot of buzz and have made great splashes in the aftermarket ranging from various BMW models to Porsche, Bentley and Mercedes-Benz.

Their newest entry to the world is the V6E Aero Package for the newly redesigned Mercedes-Benz E-Class, but more specifically the E63 AMG. While the E-Class is Mercedes-Benz’s offering for sportiness and luxury, the E63 AMG is clearly made as a performance-minded heavy hitter.

Vorsteiner has taken the standard E63 AMG, which already has aggressive styling from the factory, and made beefed it up some more. Lightweight, stylish carbon fiber accents the factory body lines in the form of a front add-on spoiler and rear diffuser. A very subtle, yet clean deck lid add-on spoiler is also in carbon fiber. Lastly, the package is outfitted with Vorsteiner’s V-308 Sport Concave 3-piece forged wheels in a “Fine Textured Black” finish.

The E63 AMG from Vorsteiner really takes on a whole new form and we’re huge fans. And in proper ways of showing off what it’s all about, Vorsteiner has released a nice video highlighting the machine rather than flooding our inbox with photos. Check out the video after the break!

Continue Reading…

 |  Apr 29, 2:37 PM

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Apparently owning an AMG Mercedes-Benz has more perks than just driving the vehicle. Those owners who pilot AMG vehicles have access to the AMG Private Lounge online where they get access to insider AMG news, connect with other AMG owners and explore the general world of AMG.

One of those lucky AMG Lounge members came across this sweet bright orange E63 AMG that sports some classy carbon fiber accents and flat black wheels. From what we can gather, this one-off E63 W212 was built by AMG Performance Studio, which is a division of AMG, specializing in appealing to the needs of their special customers. So for those seeking beyond the standard AMG packages, AMG Performance Studio will customize anything you can ask for with AMG quality – from paint to interior customization to new audio.

We don’t have a ton of specs on this car unfortunately, but hopefully the lucky owner of this E63 will surface on one of the many Mercedes forums. But we have to admit, this is one hot E63 AMG and the color is absolutely gorgeous on a sporty, classy, luxury vehicle.

[Source: Automotive Addicts]

GALLERY: AMG Performance Studio Mercedes-Benz E63 W212 AMG

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 |  Apr 21, 2:47 PM

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The Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series is one of the wildest rides on the market, but for those who want a little extra, Renntech has just the ticket. With an upgraded ECU, intercooler and muffler system, power jumps from a stock output of 670 horsepower to 801 horsepower. Even more impressive is the 1000 ft-lbs of torque put out by the Renntech car, elevating the SL65 from “mere” supercar status, to the highest echelons of the automotive world.

Only the Bugatti Veyron makes similar torque numbers, and its pricetag is more than double that of the SL65 Black Series. Renntech’s modifications add a $16,390 premium on top of the $246,299 retail price of the SL65 Black Series, but next to the $1,000,000 sticker of the Veyron, it looks like a bargain.

GALLERY: Renntech SL65

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 |  Apr 13, 11:07 AM

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What could possibly be more hard-core than the Mercedes SL65 AMG Black Series? Why, a Brabus tuned version, painted matte-black, of course. Living up to the unofficial Brabus slogan of “Fast, Black and Expensive” the world-renowned Mercedes tuner has built a one-off SL65 AMG Black Series for an private client in the Middle East.

According to a report by TopSpeed, the already potent SL65 AMG Black Series gets upgraded turbos to boost output from 670-hp to 800-hp. Other upgrades include modifications to the transmission, upgraded brakes and a massive exhaust system – not to mention plenty of custom Brabus details inside, with red stitching, Brabus logos and a special “Vanish – One Off” plaque just above the shifter.

Check out the gallery below or read out review on the standard SL65 AMG Black Series

2009 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series Review

GALLERY: Brabus Vanish

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[Source: TopSpeed]

 |  Mar 01, 10:47 AM

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In Germany, many tuners are actually registered as automakers, due to the fact that their parts have to undergo the same strict testing as production cars and the fact that what they are capable of can hardly just be classified as “tuning.” There’s no better example of this than the C25 – a new bespoke supercar from Carlsson, based on the Mercedes SL65 AMG Black Series.

Already an extreme vehicle in stock form, Carlsson has modified the 6.0-liter twin-turbo V12 engine to produce roughly 750-hp and 850 ft-lbs of torque. But it’s more than just a brute performer, Carlsson insists, and can be driven daily and serviced at your local Mercedes dealer. Still, it is an exercise in individuality, with a custom exterior where almost no body panel was left untouched, while the interior is tailored to the owner’s design – be it tastefully luxurious or downright gaudy. The model on display in Geneva is more of the latter with black and orange leather an Alcantara throughout.

At a price of $700,000 Carlsson aims to make the C25 even more exclusive by only building 25 different models – one for each country that it distributes it, meaning that the owner will be the only one in his country with one.

GALLERY: Carlsson C25 Supercar

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 |  Jan 27, 1:04 PM

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One of Germany’s most respected tuners is set to unveil a new Grand Touring supercar at the Geneva Auto Show in March. Based on a Mercedes SL (or SL65 AMG Black Series perhaps), the C25 supercar from Carlsson has a significantly redesigned body as well as some expectedly serious performance under the hood.

The 6.0-liter twin-turbo V12 engine has been tweaked to produce roughly 750-hp and 850 ft-lbs of torque. We also expect a curb weight that is much lighter than stock thanks to the use of carbon fiber body components.

More than just a brute performer, Carlsson claims the C25 will be daily drivable and can be serviced at your local Mercedes dealer. At a price of $700,000 Carlsson aims to make the C25 even more exclusive by only building 25 different models – one for each country that it distributes it, meaning that the owner will be the only one in his country with one.

Click here for AutoGuide’s live 2010 Geneva Auto Show coverage starting Monday, March 1st.

GALLERY: Carlsson C25

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[Source: AutoExpress]

Official release after the jump:

Continue Reading…

 |  Dec 11, 11:26 AM

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The team at German Mercedes-tuner Brabus have just announced that their V12-powered Mercedes GLK has achieved a world record for the fastest street-legal SUV at 322.3 km/h. In miles, that is a fraction over 200, at 200.3 mph!

The record-setting run was achieved at Italy’s Nardo high speed ring during an event hosted by Continental Tires.

Under the hood of the GLK V12 is a Mercedes 5.5-liter V12 engine that has been extremely modified. With two larger turbochargers and a displacement of 6.3-liters, it pumps out 740-hp and 811 ft-lbs of torque. The engine itself actually makes 995 ft-lbs of torque but is limited in order to avoid damaging the drivetrain.

In addition to the amazing top-speed run, the GLK V12 can also hit 62 mph in 4.2 seconds and takes just 12.8 seconds to hit 124 mph.

Brabus has held several past top speed records, with the Mercedes CLS-based Brabus Rocket the one-time fastest street-legal sedan in the world at 225 mph!

The GLKV12, which Brabus will debut at the 2009 Dubai Auto Show this week, is available to purchase at a cost of roughly $580,000.

For full specifications on the Brabus GLKV12, see after the jump:

GALLERY: Brabus GLKV12

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 |  Sep 16, 9:48 AM

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Unveiled at the Frankfurt Auto Show, the latest Brabus E V12 might be typically Brabus in that, like almost all Brabus models, it is “fast, black and expensive.” It’s also very uncharacteristically Brabus-like due to the wider rear end with bizarre fenders that cover over most of the wheels. Add on matte black paint and we’d almost think we were at Mansory’s booth.

Designed to hit 230mph, the E-Class’s new rear fenders were tested in a wind-tunnel to help reduce lift on the rear end and are made of light-weight carbon fiber. And because the rear end is now also 1.4-inches wider, it is possible to fit wider 285 rear tires for better high-speed stability.

Under the hood is the latest version of the Brabus twin-turbo 6.3-liter V12 engine called the SV12 R Biturbo 800. Making 800hp (788bhp) at just 5500 rpm, torque is an incredible 1,047 ft-lbs. Due to safety concerns with tires, Brabus chose to electronically limit torque to “just” 811 ft-lbs.

Brabus claims its new E v12 can hit 62 mph in 3.8 seconds and 124 mph in 9.9 seconds.

Just 10 of these special edition high-performance models will be built at a price of 498,000 Euros (roughly $730,000).

GALLERY: Brabus E V12 “One of Ten”

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Official release after the jump:

Continue Reading…

 |  Sep 14, 3:53 AM

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Brabus will introduce what it calls the world’s “fastest and most powerful office on wheels” at the Frankfurt Auto Show on September 15th.

The Brabus SV12R is based on the latest Mercedes S600 facelifted model. Brabus designers gave the SV12R a custom-tailored aluminum sport fenders with clear-coated carbon air vents.

The SV12R is powered by a Biturbo 6.3-liter twelve-cylinder engine that Brabus says can produce 750 hp and a peak torque of 995 ft-lbs. With those stats, Brabus says the SV12R can go 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.0 seconds and reach 124 mph in 11.9 seconds. The SV12R is electronically capped to a top speed of 211 mph.

The SV12R comes with a 3 ghz tablet notebook computer that docks in a drawer hidden in the trunk. A 15.2 inch monitor inside the car is fully integrated with the interior leather. Internet access is provided by a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS).

We’ll have more details when the car is introduced at the Frankfurt Auto Show, starting Sept. 15.

GALLERY: Brabus SV12R

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 |  May 20, 2:04 PM

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Hot on the heels of its modification program for the E-Class sedan, German Mercedes-tuner has released a full line of products for the E-Class Coupe.

Highlights include a full aero kit, new 20-inch wheels and, or course, a massive engine upgrade with 462hp.

The aero kit includes a new polyurethane front bumper with integrated LED lights, side skirts and a rear bumper with special cutouts for the Brabus exhaust system. Aluminum front fenders are also available.

Brabus offers 17, 18, 19 and even 20-inch wheels for the E-Class Coupe with the largest 20s measuring 20×9.5-inches up front and 20×9.5-inches in the rear with 235/30/20 and 265/25/20 tires. Different suspension parts are available from lowering springs to a full coilover setup.

A big brake kit is also available with six-piston front calipers, four-piston rear calipers and 14.2-inch rotors all around.

As for the engine, Brabus offers its 6.1-liter V8 engine for the E-Class Coupe, which delivers 462hp and 453 ft-lbs of torque at 3100 rpm. Brabus claims a 0-62 mph sprint in just 4.7 seconds and a top speed of 196 mph.

GALLERY: Brabus E-Class Coupe

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More on the Brabus E-Class Coupe after the jump:

Continue Reading…

 |  Apr 28, 6:43 PM

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Mercedes tuner Carlsson will use the Tuning World Bodensee show in Friedrichshafen, Germany to display, for the first time, its new program for the E-Class. Much of the modifications are the usual fare, but we have to hand it to the Carlsson designers who really put together a stunning looking package.

The new aero kit looks very much like a high-performance OEM design and features an all new front bumper with LED lights. Also new are the front fendes, side skirts, the rear bumper (with a race-inspired diffuser) and a subtle trunklid spoiler. The whole kit is made of OEM-quality polyurethane for a perfect factory fit.

In a serious departure from its usual designs, Carlsson has also used the 2010 E-Class to debut a new wheel design. Called the 1/5 REVO, the new wheels measure 21-inches on this model and have a definite American flare with a two-tone matte black and silver surface. 

The car also rides low on Carlsson’s C-Tronic suspension, which has been updated. The new setup not only lowered the car by 43mm, but it also now constantly adjusts the stiffness according to road conditions.

Carlsson will offer several performance packages for the new E-Class with packages for the E250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY and E350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY diesel already available. A supercharger system will be offered for the E550, however, with a power increase of just 55hp it doesn’t quite seem worth it.

We’ll take that aero kit though!

GALLERY: Carlsson 2010 E-Class

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Official release after the jump:

Continue Reading…

 |  Apr 23, 11:31 AM

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While bankers and stock market gurus go bankrupt, there doesn’t seem to be any shortage of money over in Dubai. Case in point; the crazy Mercedes tuner ASMA Design has released yet another over-the-top creation, custom built for someone who obviously has cash to spare.

Called the PhantASMA (get it?), this widebody Mercedes CL65 has received a complete makeover, with an all new carbon shell that has been painted chrome. The fenders are 35mm (roughly 1.4-inches) wider than stock and, of course, the PhantASMA features ASMA’s signature cow-catcher front grille.

Inside those fenders are a set of ASMA’s own 22-inch wheels, measuring 9.5-inches up front and 11.5-inches in the rear. Wrapped around those wheels are a set of rather modest 255/30/22 (front) and 295/25/22 (rear) tires.

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ASMA also got under the hood of the CL65 and tinkered with the twin-turbo 6.0-liter V12 engine so that it now produces 725hp and 870 ft-lbs of torque. ASMA claims a 0-62 mph run in 3.8 seconds with a top speed of 205 mph.

Full specifications aren’t yet available, however, in ASMA’s initial press release they did think it important to include the vehicle’s average fuel economy rating, which, by the way, is 19.8 liters/100 km (or roughly 11.9 mpg).

GALLERY: ASMA Design CL65: The PhantASMA

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 |  Apr 15, 11:09 AM

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German Mercedes tuner Carlsson has just completed its first full line of performance products for the new C-Class, giving the car a more dynamic drive, with a stunning new look and more than enough power.

Carlsson hasn’t released specifics on the modifications made to the engine but you can be sure there are more than just simple bolt-ons and an ECU tune (as those modifications make up the standard CK63 package. The CK63S package makes a dramatic increase in power from 457hp to 565hp. Torque is also up significantly with 505 ft-lbs – an increase of 63 ft-lbs.

The result of all this power is a 0-62 mph time of just 3.8 seconds!

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To help keep all the new-found power under control, Carlson employed the help of former DTM-racer and current Dakar rally driver Ellen Lohr. The modified C-Class now rides on a set of specially tuned springs and shocks.

Helping the car to achieve its maximum handling potential are a set of Carlsson 1/16 Ultra-Light wheels that measure 19×8.5-inches up front and 19×10-inches in the rear. And as for the straights, the Carlsson aero kit, (including front and rear bumpers and a small trunk spoiler) are made of both polyurethane and carbon fiber, ensuring maximum downforce at the car’s new top speed of 186 mph.

GALLERY: Carlsson CK63S

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More on the Carlsson CK63S after the jump:

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 |  Mar 30, 3:18 PM

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The 2009 SEMA Show is still over half a year away but contrary to popular belief, not every vehicle is assembled in a mad rush at the last minute. Wheel manufacturer iForged has already released details of what its big SEMA project will be and after last year’s 996 to 997 Porsche Turbo conversion, complete with GT3 RS green paint and TechArt goodies, we would expect nothing less than a serious performer.

Company owner Vincent Wong posted on his personal blog that the 2009 SEMA iForged project is a convertible (or roadster) version of the SL65 AMG Black Series. To be more accurate though, the vehicle will actually be an SL65, but will be converted with all the necessary bodywork to resemble the Black Series. But that’s not all.

IForged will also work with JE and Crower to build up the bottom end of the 6.0-liter V12 engine and Artisan Performance will assist with some larger turbos. The final engine output numbers are expected to be in the 1,000hp range.

Fox Marketing is also getting involved in the project, likely taking care of the body modifications. We just hope they can resist the temptation to paint the SL bright orange.

[Source: VincentWong.com]

Gold SLR in Dubai Trumps Gold C63

Gold Veyron anyone?

 |  Mar 30, 12:08 PM

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No doubt you remember the gold C63 AMG from a few months back, well, those crazy guys in Dubai are back at it again. Thanks to our friends over at Luxury4Play.com we have these images of a tremendously hideous gold SLR. Even the wheels weren’t spared in this ocular abortion. Thankfully our source tells us this is a wrap.

If you look closely in the pictures you can also spy a an SLR that appears to have Mansory’s Renovatio package. And what’s that even further back? Yup… that’s a black and gold Bugatti Veyron. Some guys have all the fun… and none of the taste.

GALLERY: Gold SLR

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GALLERY: Gold C63

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[Source: Luxury4Play]