Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG wins Golden Steering Wheel Award

The iconic 300SL Gullwing’s spiritual successor, the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, won the title of Best Super Sports Car in the 2009 Golden Steering Wheel awards yesterday.

Out of a field of eleven, the SLS AMG triumphed, receiving more than a third of votes from the quarter of a million readers of Bild am Sonntag, Auto Bild and associated publications. No doubt, the styling, gullwing doors and combination of 420kW V8 and rear-wheel-drive had plenty to do with the award, of which Mercedes-Benz has 18 on the shelf.

The SLS AMG’s features include 47:53 front/rear weight distribution, 650Nm, and a top speed of 317km/h – much higher than the current 250km/h limit imposed on MB’s vehicles. Helping its cause is the rear-mounted seven-speed double-clutch transmission, giving the car a 0-100km/h time of 3.8 seconds. Gigantic 390mm carbon-ceramic front and 360mm rear stoppers round out the imposing package.

Australians can expect to see the SLS AMG on our roads late second quarter 2010 with pricing to be around $500,000.

Source: Car Advice

EDO competition tunes Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG

Experiencing this exceptional vehicle on the road even surpasses what it promises on paper. The latest generation of the AMG C-Class offers a perfect blend of unrivalled performance and expressive styling.

Remarkable comfort, sporty manners and long distance capability are not mutually exclusive qualities for this car.

Power in abundance and unbridled V8 goodness are provided by edo competition.

The verdict was unanimous: 457 horsepower and 600 Nm (442 ft-lb) are not enough. A newly developed high-performance exhaust system, exhaust headers, high-flow catalytic converters, new air filters and a recalibrated ECU (including top speed governor removal) boost these numbers to an impressive 555 horsepower and 680 Nm (501 ft-lb). As a matter of principle, all recalibrations done by edo competition are verified on the dynamometer to document the true power output.

The facts about the exceptional edo C 63: 6.3 liter naturally-aspirated V8 engine, 408 kW (555 hp), 680 Nm (501 ft-lb) of torque, 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.3 seconds, top speed: 199 mph – there’s no better way to sum up the capabilities of the edo C 63!

The high-performance exhaust featuring butterfly valves is as aurally impressive as it is advanced, monitoring the exhaust backpressure in real-time. The accompanying controller is programmable and the integrated 70 mm exhaust flaps open at a predetermined level of backpressure. The advantage of this system is that it provides a good amount of torque at low revs without restricting the maximum power at the top end. The high-flow exhaust system is made from 100% stainless steel and the stock-like dual exhaust tips underscore the expressive styling.

To provide superior levels of grip, edo competition offers exclusive wheel/tire combinations. Using a new wheel design the C 63 was equipped with a set of ultra-lightweight 19 in. sport wheels shod in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires. Front: 235/35 19, Rear: 265/30 19

As with all edo competition models, we set no limit to our customers’ imaginations. Special interiors or lavish leather upholstery, individual requests are accommodated and executed with quality.

All modifications are carried out exclusively at edo competition Motorsport GmbH in Ahlen.

Benz, BMW Sales Drops Slow as Contraction Wanes

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG and Daimler AG’s Mercedes-Benz unit, the world’s top two luxury- vehicle makers, reported the slowest sales declines in at least eight months in a sign the worst market in decades is abating.

BMW, which also makes Mini and Rolls-Royce models, delivered 127,546 cars and sport-utility vehicles in June compared with 146,136 a year earlier, the Munich-based company said in a statement today. The 13 percent drop was the slowest since October. Sales of Mercedes-Benz models fell 5 percent to 100,300 vehicles, the smallest decrease since September, Stuttgart, Germany-based Daimler said.

“The luxury carmakers are more of a true bellwether of underlying demand, because they haven’t benefited measurably from government incentives,” said Peter Kelly, senior director at J.D. Power Automotive Forecasting in Oxford, England. While discounts may have, the two carmakers’ sales numbers “suggest that the market may find a bottom in the second half.”

Government-funded rebates in Germany, France and Italy have helped stem car-sales declines after the recession led Europe’s auto market in 2008 to shrink by the most in 15 years. Deliveries in the region fell 4.9 percent in May, the slowest drop in 13 months, according to European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association figures.

BMW fell 15 cents, or 0.6 percent, to 25.48 euros in Frankfurt trading, the lowest price since May 29. Daimler declined 37 cents, or 1.5 percent, to a three-month low of 24.20 euros.

‘Favorable’ Incentive Effects

PSA Peugeot Citroen, Europe’s second-largest carmaker, said today that first-half global sales fell 14 percent. The incentives were “quite favorable for us” in attracting customers for the Paris-based company’s smaller cars, Citroen division Managing Director Frederic Banzet said.

Lower inventories of unsold cars and improving demand have helped Daimler and BMW increase production rates. Daimler, which is also the world’s largest truckmaker, has reduced the number of employees on short-time work to 47,000 from 60,000 at the end of April. BMW has cut the number of workers on reduced hours to 12,000 from 25,000 in March.

“There are first indications of a slight recovery on the automobile markets,” Ian Robertson, BMW’s sales chief, said in the statement. Introductions of the X1 SUV and 5-Series Gran Turismo crossover model “will give sales a further boost in the second half of the year.”

German, Chinese Growth

Sales by the BMW brand fell 13 percent to 105,220 vehicles, while Mini-division deliveries slipped 8.9 percent to 22,273. Rolls-Royce sold 53 cars in June compared with 114 a year earlier. Group sales increased in Germany, China, India and Brazil. Sales in the U.S. fell 20 percent.

Daimler’s Mercedes-Benz Cars group, which includes the two- seat Smart minicar, delivered 111,300 vehicles in June, a decline of 6.7 percent, limiting the drop in the first half to 19 percent. Smart-car sales fell 17 percent to 11,000. Group deliveries rose in China, Brazil and France, helping push inventories to their “lowest level in years,” Daimler said. Sales fell in Japan and the U.S.

“The development of sales in June exceeded our expectations,” Klaus Maier, Mercedes-Benz Cars’ top sales executive, said in Daimler’s statement. “We expect to see our sales stabilize in the second half of 2009.”

Source: bloomberg.com

Spy photos Mercedes Benz SLS AMG ‘Gullwing’ up close

The successor to the Mercedes Benz SL Gullwing (and replacement for the SLR) has been spotted in prototype form in and around Germany’s Nurburgring test circuit for several months now, but what only a select few knew is that the car is being developed completely in-house by Mercedes’ official tuner, AMG. Thus, the brand new model will be called the SLS AMG when it hits showrooms in the first half of next year.

In the lead up to its final unveiling, planned for later this year, Mercedes has released a ton of info on the car, including several images of actual prototypes and technical drawings. As the successor to the legendary SL Gullwing from the 1950s, the new SLS AMG will also feature gullwing doors but picks up a new aluminum spaceframe to provide an almost perfect front-to-rear weight distribution of 48-to-52%.

Powering the SLS will be a revised version of AMG’s now-familiar 6.2L V8 mated to an all-new 7-speed dual-clutch transmission mounted on the rear axle. Peak output will stand at 571hp (420kW) and 479lb-ft (650Nm) of torque. Changes to the engine include a new magnesium intake with eight separate velocity stacks, two electronically controlled throttle plates, a high-flow exhaust and a new dry-sump lubrication system.

The engine will be located up front but will be mounted behind the front axle for better weight distribution. The SLS’s final kerb weight will be around 1,620kg, and with the V8 engine it should be able to accelerate from 0-100km/h in 3.8 seconds and reach a top speed in excess of 315km/h.

As for the new dual-clutch gearbox, the unit was developed by AMG and boasts fast gear changes with no loss of tractive force. The driver has a choice of four different driving modes, ranging from comfortable to extremely sporty, as well as a ‘RACESTART’ function. The suspension set-up is equally advanced, with double wishbones and hub carriers made of lightweight forged aluminum. Stopping power comes from carbon-ceramic discs, and these are mounted within 19in light-alloy wheels.

The car’s dimensions have also been revealed, measuring in at 4.65m in length, 1.95m across and just 1.25m in height. The wheelbase stretches just 2.7m. Previous renderings give us a clue as to what the new car could look like, showing a vented bonnet and a new headlight design not seen on any previous Mercedes models.

Designers have gone with a distinctively retro look for the interior of the new SLS AMG
Furthermore, new shots of the interior show a familiar Mercedes steering wheel and a unique dash fitted with silver accented controls similar to that used in the current SLR supercar. Another interesting feature is the retro styled air-vents, which look similar to the units used by Mercedes Benz during the 1970s. The COMAND system knob located on the center console is also identical to the units used by other Mercedes models.

Premium materials abound on every surface, with materials such as nappa leather, solid metal and (optional) carbon-fiber facings emphasizing the ‘custom-built’ nature of the car. Seating will be strictly limited to two.

The price of the SLS is expected to be roughly $300,000 with production numbers likely to fall between 3,000 and 5,000 units per year. This should see it compete nicely with cars like the Lamborghini Gallardo and Ferrari F430.

Gallery: 2011 Mercedes Benz SLS ‘Gullwing’ revealing spy shots

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Mercedes updates the G-Class for 30th birthday

Adding value to a successful design that's been essentially unchanged for 30 years might seem like an unecessary fix, but Mercedes has seen fit to add a few interior updates to its G-Class for its 30th year on the road.

The updates include a new set of 'ergonomically optimized' front seats which ostensibly improve comfort while adding better lateral bolstering for off-road support. Also on the list is a new rear bench seat with more modern appointments, including styling intended to echo that of the front bucket seats.

The new interior is available in either black or gray cloth and black, gray or chestnut leather. High-spec designo leather in black or classic red is also available for order, as is piano lacquer black wood trim. Early in 2010, a Labrador blue designo stone trim will also be available.

A few tech updates made the grade as well, including a now-standard auxiliary jack for music input, and ambient lighting is now available for the interior as well. A media interface for iPod or other USB devices can also be purchased.

Finally, the outside gets a choice of 'palladium silver metallic' or 'designo platinum magno' finishes in addition to the standard colors previously on offer.

The remainder of the range, from trim to powertrain, remains the same as the previous versions, including the G350 CDI, G500 and the 507hp (378kW) G55 AMG. For more on the G-Class and its 30th Anniversary celebrations, check out our story on the Mercedes G-Class EDITION30 models.

We’ve always been impressed with what tuners from Carlsson come up with, but the latest W212 E-Class Tuning Program definitely proves as a disappointment for us. Maybe it’s the 20-inch wheels or the side lines that got our negative vote, but bottom line we’re not going to buy it (as if we’d afford it - haha).

Expected to be showed off at the 2009 Bodensee Tuning World Auto Show in Germany, the “upgraded” W212 is going to feature a vertically-running LED daytime lights, a stainless steel mesh grille, a redesigned front apron, while the rear got an integrated diffuser, a spoiler and some interesting steel tailpipes. However, there is something we like about it. The interior. It features a set of brushed aluminum pedals, Alcantara leather, a white illuminated Carlsson logo and aluminum door locking pins that charm you at a first glance.

FAB Design Mercedes-Benz SLR

With the SLR "Desire", FAB Design has once more demonstrated its competence in the field of high-end luxury car customization.

From the FAB Design high-performance engine which generates an unbelievable performance of 750hp and a maximum torque of 1,080Nm to the perfectly designed FAB Design interior - nearly any relevant part of the Mercedes super sports car has been customized and brought to perfection with the highest level of technical expertise by the FAB Design specialists.

Exterior

The FAB Design body which has been redesigned by the Swiss specialist for this very exquisite masterpiece is made of ultra sturdy but extremely light and precious carbon which is produced in an autoclave - as is the case in aerospace industry and in Formula 1 - and in accordance with highest quality standards. At several exposed spots, the material is even visible since it has been clear-varnished in order to set spectacular accents.

Apart from the front and rear fenders, it also comprises new and exclusive FAB Design side skirts with special recesses for the FAB Design high-performance sports exhaust system whose pipes come out on the vehicle’s sides as is the case with the standard SLR.

The completely redesigned motor sports front apron as well as the reshaped bonnet which is adapted to the style of the new front side and to the wider fenders are further exclusive FAB Design highlights.

Even though, compared to the standard SLR, the vehicle has gained considerably in width, once again, the FAB Design specialists have succeeded in creating an absolutely harmonious silhouette.

This is the reason why the FAB Design specialists had the idea of creating something very special for the vehicle’s rear end.

The rear panel, completely redesigned by FAB Design, frames a huge diffuser which reduces the lift force. At the same time, the optionally available FAB Design rear wing spoiler increases the down force at the rear axle without affecting the functionality of the brake assist inside the rear lid.

The result is a considerable improvement of driving dynamics and, thus, also of the driving safety at high and peak speeds which the FAB-Design "Desire" will reach in the twinkling of an eye thanks to its enormous engine performance.

The FAB Design specialists have achieved a further significant improvement of driving characteristics by installing their special sports suspension and by equipping the vehicle with huge forged FAB Design 20" wheels which are provided with special high-performance 265/30 ZR 20 and 325/25 ZR 20 tires by technology partner Michelin.

Interior

In the fist place, the interior equipment impresses with the way it harmonizes with the vehicle’s color. The interior is completely composed of black FAB DESIGN leather. The specially developed red FAB Design croco-style leather sets additional stylish accents. The FAB Design interior emphasizes the appearance of the "Desire" with race character and elegance.

Performance

In order to make sure that the FAB Design "Desire" will not be taken for a toothless tiger, the FAB Design specialists have focused all their expertise and experience on the super sports car’s power train.

Thanks to extensive modifications of the engine periphery and of the hard and software, the FAB Design high-performance power train now generates 750hp instead of the standard SLR’s 626hp. The maximum torque has been increased from 780Nm to 1,080Nm.

The result of all those efforts: The FAB Design "Desire" reaches a regulated top speed of 310 km/h and passes the 100 km/h mark in 3.6 seconds. This breathtaking demonstration of engine force is, of course, rounded off by the infernal sound of the FAB Design high-performance sports exhaust system’s total number of six tailpipes.

With the SLR "Desire", FAB Design has made another impressive statement of its special class in the field of high-end luxury car customization.

Unfortunately, FAB Design has limited the number of vehicles strictly to 15, and, although it was shown in Geneva only, the whole production is already sold out.

2010 Ford Mustang GT to the Streets of Houston

Vehicle: 2010 Ford Mustang GT Coupe Premium

Price-as-tested: $35,470

Major equipment: 4.6L 3V OHC V8 engine, 5-speed manual transmission, Premium trim package ($395 option), 19″ wheels ($1,095 option), Safety Package ($395 option), Comfort group ($595 option), Glass roof ($1,995 option)

In the fleet: 1/29/2009 - 2/5/2009

Approximate mileage driven: 430

Birthdays. I celebrated my twenty-first by drinking until I fell over, and my insurance company celebrated my twenty-fifth by cutting my rate a few bucks — but I haven’t felt much like celebrating my thirtieth, which happened this past month. Still, the past twenty-nine years haven’t been short of good (or bad) times, particularly with regards to cars. On nearly any given day of the week during my high school years, I spent at least a couple of hours a day wrenching on cars with my friends. One friend had a beautiful red ‘68 Mustang with a 351 Windsor engine and the transmission out of a ‘91 Mustang LX 5.0 in it. Another had a ‘69 Mach One, complete with shaker hood and the original 3-speed manual transmission. Somewhere between the time spent under those hoods and the nights running down the Houston freeways, I became a real Mustang fan.

When I left high school, I put away my wrenches, went to work, and started appreciating other aspects of performance automobiles: finely finished interiors, refined styling, handling. The Mustangs of the time never embodied any of these qualities, so I could never convince myself to buy one. Though Ford made great strides in performance and quality with the 2005-2009 S197 Mustangs, I still felt there was room for improvement. The dashboards were still made of plastics that resembled my kitchen cutting boards, and the handling remained sloppy at best when corners were thrown into the mix. Even with those flaws, however, the S197 gave me some hope that there might someday be another Mustang to capture my heart the way the old cars did. Perhaps it was divine intervention that a 2010 Mustang GT was to be delivered to me for evaluation the week of my 30^th birthday, because if there was ever a pony car to rekindle an old flame, this is the one.

At first glance, the 2010 Mustang GT might appear to be nothing more than a slight design refresh of the S197, but a closer examination tells the truth: these are big changes. On the outside, the styling of the 2010 Mustang GT has been substantially updated, sharing only the roof panel with the 2009 model. The new headlamps, which feature integrated turn indicators, hearken back to the Mustang of the early 70’s, while a redrawn rear quarter-panel and fender line pays tribute to the 1969 Mustang Fastback that I so loved. All this is topped off by a new “Power Dome” hood that gives the 2010 Mustang a much more muscular look than its predecessor. This new beauty isn’t just skin deep, with Ford citing a seven percent reduction in drag, and a 23 percent reduction of front end lift from the updated sheetmetal.

On the inside, nearly every bit of the Mustang’s interior has been reworked, with the only carry-over being the door cards and other very minor pieces of trim. The rental grade two-piece dashboard and center stack is gone, replaced with a very clean looking one-piece dashboard and instrument panel complete with new HVAC vents and an updated gauge cluster. All the hard plastics of the dashboard and center console have been replaced with high grade soft touch materials. Center stack controls feature the high quality HVAC and radio controls that have made their appearance on other recently updated Ford products, and are very easy to use.

NVH is way down from the S197, thanks to strategic additions of sound padding and revised window seals. It’s so quiet that ford actually pumps engine sounds into the cabin by way of a “loud-tube”, similar to the arrangement in the BMW Z4. This loud-tube connects the intake to the firewall and delivers the smooth sounds of the Mustang’s V8 to the occupants while keeping annoying road noise out.

Though I didn’t care for the bright red leather seats or steering wheel of our test car, I really did enjoy the glass roof option. The glass roof covers nearly the entire passenger seating area, and really adds a nice touch to the already high class interior. Ford says this glass roof panel only adds 24 pounds to the weight of the Mustang, but at $1,995 it becomes an expensive alternative to a traditional sunroof. If you aren’t a convertible kind of person but love natural light, this is a great compromise.

Once out on the road, I immediately noticed significant improvements to the Mustang’s ride and handling. For 2010, Ford has updated the suspension on the Mustang with firmer springs, larger stabilizer bars, and recalibrated shock absorbers. Ford has also added a strut tower bar for models equipped with the optional 19″ wheel and tire package to increase chassis stiffness.

These improvements result in a far more neutral handling car than the old model, and significantly less body roll. Even though our test car was equipped with all-season Pirelli performance tires, the car seemed to have much more pavement bite than the old car with ultra high performance summer tires.

Ford’s AdvanceTrac stability control is now standard, and offers a sport mode that allows you a bit more freedom to kick the tail out. Because our tester was not equipped with the optional TrackPack, there was no way to defeat the electronic nanny completely.

About the only area where Ford really hasn’t done much to improve the 2010 Mustang is under the hood. The 4.6L V8 is pretty much a direct carryover from the previous car, with the exception of a cold-air intake setup and a heaver crank damper that increases the redline by 250 RPM; both of which were borrowed from the 2009 Bullitt Mustang. The result is a very mild power increase of 15 horsepower to 315. Peak torque has been increased by 5 lb-ft to 325, but isn’t found until a rather lofty 4,250 RPM.

As with the old car, the 2010 Mustang certainly has enough power to get the job done, but rather ironically, the chassis is ahead of the engine. The competition is ahead (the Challenger R/T has 375-plus horsepower, and the Camaro 2SS is expected to clear 400), so I have to wonder what Ford has up their sleeves. Another 50 or so horsepower would make the Mustang damn near perfect. There might be hope just over the horizon though, as rumors of the return of a 5.0 liter V8 in the Mustang are spreading through the enthusiast community like wildfire. Ford has denied all rumors of the new engine, but common sense says that Ford isn’t going to let their iconic car get overshadowed by the upcoming Camaro.

By spending money where it counts, Ford has massaged an aging platform into a true performer. Ford has also given interior-quality fetishists that much less to complain about by updating the Mustang’s interior to be a contender for best in class. All things considered, the 2010 Mustang GT is a vast improvement over the outgoing model, and really needs more than a casual glance to appreciate all the changes.

I absolutely loved everything about the Mustang, and driving it reminded me what it was like to feel young and invincible again. This is THE Mustang that has made me fall in love with the brand all over again. Sure cars like the R8 and Viper are a blast to drive, but they are fantasy cars to me. The new Mustang is a dream car that is easily within reach to me and most Americans. That said, a new Mustang is certainly in my future when it comes time to add a garage mate to my Audi TT sometime in 2010. Not only can I not wait to drive one again, I can’t wait to finally own one.

New Benz Car - 2010 Mercedes Benz E63 AMG spied again

The new 2010 Mercedes Benz E-Class has again been spotted in testing but this time the prototype is for the high-performance AMG version. The images were taken near the carmaker’s headquarters in Germany and reveal the final details of the car, with only the front-end being masked by black camouflage material.

A giveaway that this is the AMG version is the exposed rear bumper with quad tailpipes. Other details include perforated brake discs with oversized calipers.

Mercedes and its AMG engineers have been testing prototypes for the E-Class extensively – even recruiting former McLaren F1 ace Mika Häkkinen and race driver Klaus Ludwig to fine tune the upcoming car.

Just as the company did with the recently revealed SL facelift range, the new AMG version of the E-Class should be launched within a few months of the regular sedan. However, the Estate wagon variant isn’t likely to be unveiled for at least another year after that.

Despite current concerns about global warming and a possible end to the horsepower war between Germany’s in-house tuners, the new E63 Estate will continue with the potent hand-built 6.2L V8, although the rest of the car’s mechanical package is expected to have been given a major makeover. Power has been bumped up to 525hp (392kW). Engineers will be focusing more on improve handling and chassis strength, borrowing a number of features from the new C63 AMG.

The sporty AMG wagon is also tipped to receive a widened front track and unique steering ratio compared to the regular E-Class as well as a MacPherson strut and multi-link active suspension.

Gallery: 2010 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG revealing spy shots

New Car 2009 - Kicherer Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Kicherer Mercedes E-Class: E-Plus

The Mercedes tuners are impatiently kicking their heels and wanting to get their hands on the new E-Class. A first draft has now come from the Kicherer company.

The tuning company from the Bodensee has increased the performance of the current top E500 model from 388 to 430 PS. With the increased performance of the V-max down control which is included in the price the vehicle should be able to race well over 250 km per hour. Those who value optimum dynamics can not only obtain an electronic lowering of the vehicle but also a mechanical limited slip differential complete with a variable barrier effect of between 20 and 80 procent from Kicherer.

Moreover with these alterations Kicherer has reduced the gear transmission ratio. The maximum speed does suffer from this a little. The acceleration capacity, however, is improved. Only 4.8 seconds (standard: 5.2 seconds) are supposedly needed to go from 0 to 100 Km per hour. Kicherer has, of course, also improved the optics of the vehicle: with extra parts made of carbon fibre, 20 inch forged wheels and many other possibilities for upgrading the interior.

High resolution Kicherer Mercedes-Benz E-Class images

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Carlsson Aigner CK55 RS Rascasse: Luxury in Unexpected Dimensions

• Specialist automobile manufacturer Carlsson and Lifestyle Leather Brand Etienne Aigner develop a third model.
• Carlsson Aigner® CK55 RS Rascasse powered by a 456 hp V8.
• Special edition limited to 20 cars.

Exclusive automobile manufacturer Carlsson Autotechnik GmbH, and the luxury leather brand Etienne Aigner AG are proud to present the third model to emerge from their co-operative venture.

The Carlsson Aigner® CK55 RS Rascasse, based on the Mercedes-Benz GL 500, makes its world premiere at the Geneva Auto Salon. The Rascasse will be an exclusive limited edition of 20 cars.

Distinguished Exterior Design

The star qualities of this car are obvious at a glance. The striking two-tone paintwork, a hallmark of the Carlsson Aigner® range, confirms that the Carlsson Aigner® CK55 RS Rascasse is no ordinary luxury car.

Several coats of perfectly smooth, hand-rubbed Bordeaux Rouge metallic paint have been applied to just below the window line. Above this, rich black paint takes over with a thin, black coachline softening the transition between two shades. The visual marraige of these two contrasting yet complementary colours imparts a regal air to the Rascasse.

Adding to that presence is the Carlsson Aigner body styling kit consisting of wider wheel arches visually linked by side skirts. The front wings carry white illuminated Aigner logos. The door rubbing strips are colour-coded in black, which visually lengthens the car.

The nose of the Rascasse has been made more imposing with a new bonnet carrying two larger power domes. Under this, a new larger front grill and sub-grilles feature chromed wire mesh.

Additional driving and fog lights are set into the bumpers, stainless steel grids and LED daytime running lights are integrated into lower edge of the deeper front apron extension. All these elements give the Rascasse a much stronger face, reinforcing its already commanding presence.

The rear valence incorporates cut-outs for the four chromed exit pipes of the freer-flowing sports exhaust system. This is optimised for both lower backpressure and a throaty V8 soundtrack.

Apart from enhancing the look of the car, the front spoiler, side skirts and rear valence extensions are designed to help reduce aerodynamic drag and lift. All these parts are made from PU-RIM, the flexible material used by OE manufactures like Mercedes-Benz for their production bumpers.

PU is much more expensive than glass-fibre in small runs, but is lighter and has good low speed bump resilience. It also requires a much larger tooling investment, demonstrating Carlsson’s commitment to OE quality levels.

The 5,461cc, 48-valve, DOHC V8 motor has 388hp (285 kW) and 530Nm of torque in standard form. Carlsson’s proven conversion for this engine uses a free-flow exhaust system with metal catalytic converters, gas-flowed cylinder-heads, high-lift camshafts and a remapped ECU to boost output to 456 hp (335 kW) with 640Nm of torque.

Thus endowed, the Carlsson Aigner® CK55 RS Rascasse is the most powerful normally-aspirated GL in the world, accelerating from 0 to a hundred km/h in just 5.9 seconds. This compares to 6.5 sec for the standard GL500.

To help transmit this extra power and torque to the road, Carlsson use their three-piece 3/11 UL forged alloy wheels with highly polished outer rims in 11J x 23-inch size with 305/30ZR23 tyres.

The forging process creates a very light but exceptionally strong alloy wheel that helps to counter the increased unsprung weight of the larger diameter wheels and tyres.

The Carlsson electronic lowering kit, C-Tronic® SUSPENSION AIR, drops the ride height of the Airmatic suspension by 30mm. In combination with the wider wheels and tyres, this delivers superior handling and roadholding characteristics.

An abundance of precious materials

Colour matching is one of the keystones of the fashion industry. Where Carlsson elevates the mechanicals to new heights, Aigner demonstrates the art of haute couture with the plush interior of the Rascasse.

Picking up the Bordeaux Rouge dark red shade from the bodywork, Aigner uses the finest hides and Alcantara in this colour to cover the seats, dashtop, door panels and centre console. All four seats are covered in perforated softwalk-nappa-leather with applications in alcantara, large, styliced Aigner logo discreetly stitched into the seating. The headlining is also softwalk-nappa leather, stitched in a bespoke pattern. The RS sport airbag steering wheel in a leather-alcantara combination, the floor mats and the fine wood equipment match the Carlsson Aigner leather interior. Aluminium pedal protectors, the aluminium foot rest and the entrance panels with the white illuminated Carlsson logo support the interior.

Total comfort for rear compartment passengers means sumptuous seats and plenty of space in all directions. For that reason, Carlsson and Aigner decided that the seven-seater configuration should be ditched in favour of just two individual rear seats.

Supporting this hedonistic concept is an integrated fridge in a compartment between the rear seats. Drinks can be served in bespoke hand-blown Carlsson-Aigner glasses also stored in this compartment.

The comprehensive Rear Entertainment System is centred around the eight-inch screens integrated into the headrests of the front seats. A surround sound audio system provides the soundtrack as well as just music if you just want to relax on a journey.

Rascasse – A Sting in the Tail

Carlsson, manufacturer of special cars based on Mercedes Benz models, and high fashion leather goods manufacturer, Aigner, are proud to present their third unique limited edition model in the short space of one and a half years.

In September 2007, this dynamic duo introduced the Carlsson Aigner® CK65 “Eau Rouge“, based on the CL-Coupe. This was followed in July 2008 by the Carlsson Aigner® CK65 RS “Blanchimont“, a car to fill the obvious void between the S-Class and the Maybach.

The Carlsson Aigner® CK55 RS “Rascasse“ completes the family, and is offered at a basic price of 228,500 euros excluding VAT.

As with the first two automobiles designed by the Carlsson and Aigner team, the new model is also named after a legendary racetrack bend. But unlike the Eau Rouge and the Blanchimont, the Rascasse name does not origin from the racetrack Spa-Francorchamps. Rascasse is the second last bend of the Monaco Grand Prix Circuit as well as a famous street cafe located by the track.

In fact, the Rascasse name originally comes from the French red rascasse, a member of the Scorpion fish family that is an essential ingredient in Bouillabaisse, the most famous French gourmet soup. A perfect blend of performance, speed and breeding, the Carlsson Aigner Rascasse is also red, tasty, sporting, and carries a sting in its tail.

2010 Volkswagen Polo debuts at 2009 Geneva Motor Show

In January, Volkswagen development chief Ulrich Hackenburg explained to reporters at the Detroit Auto Show that the small car segment in the United States is likely to surge in the coming years, and that his company was intent on taking advantage of that growth. Already confirmed is the Mark VI Golf, which will make its way Stateside this September, but Hackenburg was hinting at bringing over an even smaller model - the all-new Polo, officially revealed today at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show.

Weight savings is one focus of the new car, cutting 7.5% of the weight of its predecessor despite growing in size. Mated to a new 7-speed DSG dual-clutch gearbox, the new Polo is considerably more efficient than the outgoing car. For example, the new 1.2L TSI variant of the Polo gets 42.7mpg US (5.5L/100km) while still generating 103hp (77kW). Carbon dioxide missions are 19% lower as well, clocking in at 129g/km. A total of three new TDI variants are also available, including a 1.6L unit cranking out 88hp (66kW) and turning in a remarkable 62mpg US (3.8L/100km). That translates to 96g/km CO2 in emissions.

In total, seven engines will be available for the Polo in Europe. Beyond the powertrains, VW has made strides forward in safety in the new Polo as well, adding a complement of advanced airbags and improving crashworthiness by 50% in frontal impacts and 20% in side impacts. The goal is a 5-star EuroNCAP rating. Under the new system, that means that all Polos will be equipped with ESP standard.

Sales there will start at the end of June. So far, no further word has been released on U.S. sales, however.

The next-generation Polo, positioned just below the Golf in VW's lineup, could come to the U.S. by 2011 if greenlighted for American sale. Previous reports peg VW building North American versions of the Polo at its plant in Pueblo, Mexico, which has advantages both logistically and financially.

The new Polo features a more chiseled look as seen on the recently launched Mark VI Golf. The new model is also slightly bigger than the current version, helping to it compete with the recently updated Ford Fiesta and Honda Fit – both of which have grown in size. A high-performance GTI model is also in the works but it’s still unknown if this model will reach U.S. showrooms, even if the standard Polo does.

VW is keen to triple its U.S. sales to 800,000 units by the end of the decade and plans to launch two new sedan models designed specifically for the American market and to be built at the company’s new plant Chattanooga, Tennessee. The addition of smaller models like the Golf and Polo will only help VW attain this goal quicker.

Gallery: 2010 Volkswagen Polo