Mercedes CLK 63 Black Series by RENNtech

U.S. tuner RENNtech has a new carbon-fiber aerodynamic kit for the Mercedes-Benz CLK 63 Black Series.

The body kit includes a front splitter, carbon air box, front brake air ducts, a rear diffuser and a DTM rear wing. That carbon air box features a vacuum chamber that adds up to 10 hp to the CLK Black Series total output.

But those 10 extra horses don't come cheap. The air box is priced at $2795 while the front splitter and rear diffuser cost $2450 and $3250, respectively. The DTM wing comes it at $3350.

All carbon components are available in either a matte or gloss finish.

RENNtech is also offering a suspension upgrade too with front ($1250) and rear ($945) adjustable camber bushings for improved handling and braking.

2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS by Carlsson

German Mercedes tuner Carlsson already has a package for the next generation Mercedes-Benz CLS even before the model goes on sale next month.

Starting things off is the aerodynamic kit which adds some new design touches to the new CLS courtesy of Carlsson chief designer Rolf Schlepp. The kit includes a new front spoiler and RS front spoiler lip, front apron inserts with LED fog lights, stainless-steel grille inserts and power domes for the bonnet. The kit also comes with mudguard inserts too and side moldings with air inlets. For the back, Carlsson fits a new rear apron with built-in diffuser and a rear spoiler. The exhaust system is upgraded with a stainless-steel rear silencer and double oval tailpipes.

The Merzig, Germany-based tuner also provides power upgrades for the CLS on both diesel and petrol engines.

For the CLS 350 CGI, output is dialed up to 333 PS (328 bhp / 245 kW) and 410 Nm (302 lb-ft) of torque from the series' 306 PS (302 bhp / 225 kW) and 370 Nm (273 lb-ft) which improves the 0 to 100 km/h sprint by 0.2 seconds to a time of 5.9 s.

On the CLS 350 CDI diesel, the upgrade is less modest thanks to the Carlsson C-Tronic Diesel Power control unit which achieves a 20 percent increase in power. Total output reaches 320 PS (316 bhp / 235 kW) with a maximum torque of 780 Nm (575 lb-ft) - up from the series' 265 PS (261 bhp / 195kW) and 650 Nm (479 lb-ft).

Sprint time on the diesel is also 5.9 seconds for the 0 to 100 km/h run compared to the standard model's 6.2 s.

Carlsson also offers its own 19-inch or 20-inch alloy wheels in a unique design where single and double spokes alternate in a 10-spoke pattern.

Carlsson's C-Tronic Suspension lowers the CLS up to 30 mm on the standard Airmatic suspension.

Inside touches include an Alcantara sports steering wheel and brushed aluminum for the pedals and foot rest.

Mercedes E-Class Coupe by Prior Design

Prior Design has unveiled their new tuning program for the Mercedes E-Class Coupe (C207).

On the design front, the firm outfits the car with new bumpers, revised side skirts and a faux diffuser (€1,899). To further enhance the sporty image, the tuner offers a roof spoiler (€229), a 35mm reduced ride height (€249), and 20-inch wheels which are available in matt black, gloss black and silver (€2,490).

For added performance, Prior Design has two sport exhaust systems and a modified ECU which can add up to 55 kW (74 hp / 75 PS).

Mercedes A-Class Coupe, 2009

Mercedes A-Class Coupe, 2009

 

 

With more than 500,000 units produced within three and a half years, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class is among the bestsellers in the Mercedes-Benz passenger car range. Now the latest generation of this compact car is showing itself to be more youthful, attractive and environmentally compatible than ever before. This is ensured by a completely revised design, high-grade appointments and new technical developments which further improve safety, comfort and economy. A convenient ECO start-stop function which reduces urban petrol consumption of these BlueEFFICIENCY vehicles by up to nine percent is now available for the high-volume models A 150 and A 170, for example. For the three-door A 160 CDI Mercedes-Benz has developed an additional BlueEFFICIENCY package which lowers the fuel consumption of the Coupé by more than eight percent, to 4.5 litres per 100 kilometres. Independent experts have acknowledged these great advances in the environmental field with an internationally valid environmental certificate, which the Mercedes-Benz A-Class is the world's first compact car to achieve.

In spring 2008 Mercedes-Benz is presenting the five-door Saloon and the three-door Coupé in completely upgraded versions. Viewed from the front, this compact Mercedes-Benz now appears more youthful and self-confident than before. The sweeping lines of the newly designed headlamps harmoniously combine the front end and flanks, which literally appear to be cast from a single mould. The redesigned front bumper reinforces this impression; its lower air intake is now much larger, emphasising the width of the body. The radiator grille is also in a new design which underlines the progressive aura of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class.

Lines: ELEGANCE and AVANTGARDE with an even more pronounced styling emphasis
Design features at the front end provide more distinctions between the design and equipment lines of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class. While the louvres in the radiator grille of the basic version are painted in dark-grey, they are respectively in metallic atlas grey and high-sheen iridium silver in the ELEGANCE and AVANTGARDE lines, and are also visually upgraded by additional chrome strips. Discreet chrome trim strips further reinforce this impression. In the AVANTGARDE line, the front bumper also has a distinctive design which emphasises the arrow-shape of the front end and suggests greater agility.

When viewed from the side the different lines in the Mercedes-Benz A-Class are distinguished by wheel designs. While the basic model is equipped with 15-inch wheels and seven-spoke wheel embellishers as standard, ELEGANCE and AVANTGARDE are fitted with individually designed 16-inch light-alloy wheels. The new, larger exterior mirror housings and door handles are now painted in the vehicle colour for all model variants. The previous side rubbing strips have been replaced by discreet chrome trim strips, which provide additional visual highlights in the ELEGANCE and AVANTGARDE models.

Interior: upgraded with larger stowage compartments and new fabrics
Mercedes designers paid particular attention to enhanced value when redesigning the interior, choosing new, high-grade upholstery fabrics and door linings. In the ELEGANCE and AVANTGARDE lines the seats are upholstered in an attractive combination of ARTICO man-made leather and fabric, which is available in three colours. In addition new decorative trim of smoke-grey, diagonally brushed aluminium enhances the interior of the AVANTGARDE line, while the dignified aura of the ELEGANCE models is heightened by wood trim. All variants of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class share a larger stowage compartment in the centre console and a newly designed cupholder between the front seats.

Fuel economy: the A 160 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY consumes 4.5 litres
With fuel consumption figures between 4.9 and 8.1 litres per 100 kilometres, the new-generation A-Class is a model of fuel economy. Thanks to detailed improvements, the fuel consumption of the state-of-the-art direct-injection diesel engines has been reduced by more than eight percent or 0.5 litres per 100 kilometres compared to the preceding series. From autumn 2008 Mercedes-Benz will introduce a standard BlueEFFICIENCY package for the three-door A 160 CDI with a manual transmission, with further improvements in engine efficiency, aerodynamics, rolling resistance, energy management and weight. The sum of these measures achieves a fuel saving of 0.4 litres, which means that the A 160 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY has an NEDC consumption of just 4.5 litres per 100 kilometres. As a result the CO2 emissions of the 60 kW/82 hp Coupé are 119 grams per kilometre.

The BlueEFFICIENCY package also includes an aerodynamically optimised radiator grille. This has a closed-off interior face to reduce the airflow to the engine, though the CDI engine is still cooled effectively at all times. The suspension has also been lowered by ten millimetres to reduce the drag coefficient even further.

Start-stop function: the engine switches off automatically when idling
In the case of the petrol engines, Mercedes engineers have achieved NEDC fuel savings of up to 0.4 litres per 100 kilometres with a newly developed ECO start-stop function. From autumn 2008 this system will be available for the high-volume models A 150 and A 170 on request. It automatically switches off the engine when the driver shifts the manual transmission to neutral at a low speed while applying the brakes. If the conditions for engine switch-off are met, the driver is informed by a special display in the instrument cluster.
Economy: nine percent lower fuel consumption in city traffic

Ecology: the Mercedes-Benz A-Class is the first compact car with an environmental certificate
Practical trials such as this are of immense importance to Mercedes-Benz when it comes to evaluating new technologies. The environmental compatibility of vehicles is not only assessed on the basis of standardised emissions and fuel consumption measurement, but also taking into account the entire vehicle lifecycle - from production and many years of operation to eventual recycling and disposal. An analysis of more than 40,000 individual processes provides an overall picture and enables the development work to be objectively assessed.

Safety: flashing brake lights warn following traffic
The adaptive brake light introduces technology from the luxury class into the compact segment, which therefore benefits from a further accident prevention system as a standard feature. Under emergency braking from a speed exceeding 50 km/h, the brake lights flash rapidly to warn following traffic, enabling drivers to respond quicker and prevent a collision.

Flashing brake lights are the result of extensive practical research covering the braking behaviour of drivers. Mercedes engineers found that the braking responses of drivers are on average 0.2 seconds faster in emergency braking situations if a flashing red warning is given in place of conventional brake lights. The stopping distance can be reduced by around 4.40 metres from a speed of 80 km/h, and even by around 5.50 metres from a speed of 100 km/h. If the A-Class is brought to a rapid stop from a speed exceeding 70 km/h, the hazard warning system is switched on in addition to the flashing brake lights.

Parking assist: ultrasound and electric steering for easier parking
When finding and reversing into a parking space, drivers of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class will in future be aided by an active parking assist feature which is available on request for all model variants. Using side-mounted ultrasonic sensors, this system identifies suitable parking spaces on both sides of the road in passing, then informs the driver by means of a display. The sensors are active up to a speed of 35 km/h, and monitor the area to the left and right of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class. They measure the length and depth of possible parking spaces, indicating that the search is in progress with a " P " in the instrument cluster.

New Mercedes-Benz SLS 63 AMG

In its third consecutive take on the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, German tuner Kicherer has released a new package with performance and styling modifications for Stuttgart’s supercar, and just to capture our attention, the company threw a beautiful female model into the picture (not included in the package).
Called the Kicherer SLS 63 AMG Supersport GT, the package adds more power through a revised engine management unit and a custom exhaust system that help boost the V8’s output from 571HP and 650Nm to 630HP and 700Nm. As a result, Kicherer’s SLS completes the 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint in 3.5 seconds and goes up to a top speed of 320km/h (199mph).
The exterior modifications include a matte black wrap and a carbon fiber aero kit that consists of a bespoke front grille with vertical fins, a front lip spoiler, side air vents and a rear diffuser. The look is complemented by a set of three-piece deep-dish alloy wheels size 20-in. up front and 21-in. at the back. There’s also a height adjustable suspension kit with a lift-up function that allows the chassis to be lifted or lowered by around 30 mm at the touch of a button.
Finally, the interior gets an array of custom made carbon fiber accessories for the door panels, center console, the seats, door sills, and even the boot.

GALLERY