Carlsson Does the New 2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS Sports Saloon


The new CLS won't be arriving in Mercedes-Benz dealerships before the end of January 2011, yet German tuning firm Carlsson has already unveiled its performance and styling program for the second generation of the banana-shaped sports saloon.

The German tuner revamps the Mercedes model's exterior with a comprehensive aerodynamics package comprising of a restyled front bumper that incorporates a lip spoiler and LED fog lights, side skirts, a rear apron with a built in diffuser and space for the new rectangular-shape tail pipes, and a boot lid spoiler.

The side air outlets, revised grille and the new bonnet with power domes are also part of the package, which can be complemented by a choice of alloy wheel designs.

For the interior, Carlsson's menu includes an Alcantara sports steering wheel, pedals and foot rest made of brushed aluminium, plus unique floor mats featuring the firm's logo with a matching boot cover.

The tuning house offers performance upgrades for the CLS 350 CGI petrol and 350 CDI V6 diesel models. With the CK35 kit, the V6 petrol engine's output is lifted from 306HP and 370Nm to 333HP and 410Nm. As a result, the car's 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint time drops from 6.1 seconds to 5.9 seconds.

Thanks to the firm's C-Tronic DIESEL POWER electronic tune, the 350 CDI produces 320HP and 780Nm of peak torque, up from the stock model's 265HP and 650Nm. This allows the diesel-powered to go from 0 to 100km/h in 5.9 seconds instead of the standard 6.2 seconds.

Other performance features include Carlsson’s patented C-Tronic Suspension system that can lower the vehicle's ride height by up to 30 mm, as well as constantly adjust the spring travel depending on the road conditions.


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