Carlsson's Mercedes-Benz E-Class Tuning Program Fully Revealed

One of the few new tuning proposals that made their world debut at this past week's Tuning World Bodensee show in Germany (April 30th until May 3rd) was Carlsson's Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Besides the complete aerodynamic kit, the German tuning boutique's treatment for the all-new 2010 Mercedes E-Class sedan includes special interior fittings, under-the-hood upgrades and a new lowering C-Tronic suspension system.

Carlsson offers performance enhancements for three E-Class models starting from the E250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY diesel that gains an extra 40 horsepower for a total output of 244HP. The E 350CDI BlueEFFICIENCY diesel gets a 46 horsepower boost for a total of 277HP while the E500's 5.5-liter V8 gasoline engine receives a CM50K compressor kit along with a new sport exhaust system, high-performance catalysts and stainless steel mufflers for an extra 55 horsepower that result in a total of 443HP.

To improve handling, Carlsson has developed the C-Tronic suspension system that not only allows the driver to lower the sedan's ride height by up to 43 millimeters (1.7-inches), but also automatically adjusts the ride height based on the road conditions.

Naturally, added power and improved handling are complemented by a complete body kit that in this case looks stealthily tasty and includes a newly designed front apron with vertically positioned LED daylight running lights and a stainless steel grid for the lower grille, side skirts, a rear apron with an integrated diffuser that houses four stainless steel end pipes, fender air-vents and an unobtrusive rear spoiler. Carlsson also offers various alloy wheel designs in sizes up to 20-inches.

For the interior there's an array of options ranging from aluminum pedals and new floor mats with an integrated Carlsson logo to a tailor-made gearshift and door lock bolts made of aluminum.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

Daimler Posts €1,4 million Loss in First Quarter of 2009, Sales Down 34%

Only hours after announcing that it had agreed to unload its remaining 19.9 percent stake in Chrysler LLC, Daimler published its quarterly results which saw the company that owns Mercedes-Benz posting a €1,426 million loss before interest and tax for the first quarter of 2009 versus a €1,976 million profit in the same period last year. The Group also recorded a net loss for the first quarter of the year of €1,286 million compared to a net profit of €1,332 million a year ago.

In terms of sales, Daimler sold 332,300 cars and commercial vehicles worldwide, which was 34% lower than in the same period of last year. This resulted to significant decrease in the Daimler Group's first-quarter revenue - from €24.0 billion to €18.7 billion in 2009. According to the company, when adjusted for exchange-rate effects, revenue was down by 25%.

Mercedes-Benz passenger car sales that were affected by the model changeover of the new E-Class sedan as it is one of the firm's best selling models, totaled 231,200 units, down 27.4 percent from the same period last year when the company sold 318,300 units. First-quarter revenue decreased by 27% to €9.1 billion.

The Mercedes-Benz passenger car division posted a €1,123 million loss (before interest and taxes) in the first quarter, which was significantly below the result of the prior-year quarter (€1,152 million profit).

Daimler Trucks sold 65,400 vehicles worldwide in the first quarter of 2009 (versus: 107,700 in Q1 2008), Mercedes-Benz Vans' sales sunk to 28,800 vehicles in the same period (Q1 2008: 68,600) while Daimler Buses sold 6,800 buses and chassis worldwide in the first quarter of this year (Q1 2008: 9,200).

Daimler's outlook for the rest of the year isn't any better as the German Group said that it expects its total unit sales to "decrease significantly in 2009".

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

Daimler Agrees to Give Up its 19.9% Stake in Chrysler

Mercedes-Benz's parent company Daimler has reached an agreement with Cerberus to let go of its remaining 19.9% stake in Chrysler LLC and write off a $1.5 billion loan that went to the American automaker in 2007. The new agreement will help Chrysler LLC's partnership talks with the Fiat Group as it clears out the ownership problems. However, Cerberus is in a tight race with time as the U.S. government imposed deadline for the firm's restructure is April 30.

Under the new agreement between the two parties, Daimler agreed to pay US $200 million into Chrysler's pension plans for the next two years while the existing pension guaranty of US $1 billion 'vis-à-vis' the PBGC will be reduced to an amount of US $200 million and will remain in place until August 2012.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

Carlsson Tunes New Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan

The Mercedes tuning specialist Carlsson has announced that it will reveal its new performance program for the recently revealed 2010 E-Class at next weekend's Tuning World Bodensee that takes place in Friedrichshafen, Germany from April 30th to May 3rd. The exterior treatment for the W212 Mercedes includes custom made alloy wheels in various styles, a new front bumper with vertical LED daytime running lights, side air vents behind the front wheel arches, a rear apron with an integrated diffuser, side skirts and a discreet boot lid spoiler.

The tuning programme for the new E-Class sedan by Carlsson also includes exclusive interior fittings, various performance kits for the most of the diesel and gasoline engines and suspension upgrades. We'll have more details on the programme after the presentation of the vehicle at the Bodense tuning show on April 30th.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

ASMA Attack: Mercedes CL65 AMG Based Phantasma CL Chrome

Just when you thought it was safe again to take a peak into the world of ASMA Design, the German tuning house goes and presents this burlesque creation, the Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG-based, Phantasma CL Chrome. We're not entirely sure if the car's name is derived from the Greek word Phantasma that translates to ghost, but there's no doubt in our mind that most will act like they've seen one after looking at this monstrous creation.

As if the vent-astic 'Darth Vader' grille, the various aerodynamic add-ons of the wide-bodykit and the humongous 22-inch wheels shod in 255/30 tires up front and 295/25 at the rear weren't scary enough, ASMA Design took the liberty to paint the car a shiny chrome finish.

Performance-wise, the Phantasma CL Chrome's AMG 6.0-liter turbocharged V12 engine has been upgraded to deliver an output of 725HP and a maximum torque of 1,180Nm or 870lbs/ft. This results to a zero to 100km/h or 62mph sprint time of 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 205mph or 330km/h.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

Modern-Day Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Panamericana Concept

While in Stuttgart Mercedes-Benz is adding the final touches on the legit heir of the iconic 300SL Gullwing in the form of the all-new SLS AMG Gullwing, Arturo Alonso and his team that gained famed with the Bentley S3 Project - a car which we've only seen in computer generated images, has announced the creation of a modern-day 300SL that will blend the classic shape with contemporary technology and materials.

Once again, we only see renderings of the car but the company that will distribute the vehicle, "Gullwing America" has released initial details on the project that will be based on a reproduction model from Hoope'r, Gullwing-AG in Germany.

According to the release, the 300SL's body is made out of aluminum-reinforced fibreglass while the chassis is constructed from powder coated RHS steel. The vehicle will come with an independent suspension with adjustable coil overs, four wheel disk brakes, "old-school" 17-inch AMG alloy wheels wrapped in 235/45 R17 Continental Sport Contact tires and most importantly, a 5.5 liter Mercedes-Benz V8 engine hooked up to a six speed transmission.

In the 300SL Panamericana, the V8 will produce around 370HP and 530Nm of torque. The company said that in 2010, it will also offer buyers the option of a Merc's new V6 engine that delivers 320HP and 360Nm torque and can be ordered with a six-speed manual transmission.

No word on prices, but the firm said that the basic models will be painted in silver with blue accents in the front fenders with the option of a white finish with red stripes and a blacked out version. Inside, the cabin will be dressed in a red leather and plaid cloth while the instrument panel will be identical to the original 300Sl.

If the project captured your attention, you can contact Arturo Alonso at info(at)gullwing-america.com.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

Mercedes-Benz CL500 "Trademark Centenary" Anniversary Edition

In celebration of the 100th birthday of Mercedes' three-pointed star and the Benz emblem, the Stuttgart automaker is launching a special edition version of the CL500 coupe dully dubbed "Trademark Centenary". Available from June 26 in rear-wheel drive (CL500) and four-wheel drive layouts (CL500 4MATIC), the Trademark Centenary model features special appointments and details including a unique paint finish from the Merc's designo collection, an AMG Sports package, full leather interior, black piano lacquer trim and a set of the original Mercedes and Benz emblems on lower part of the centre console.

The new AMG Sports package that was officially launched in April adds front and rear aprons, side skirts and sports pedals in brushed stainless steel with black rubber studs, plus painted brake calipers with Mercedes-Benz lettering. The anniversary edition also comes equipped with unique high-sheen 20-inch 5 twin-spoke AMG light-alloy wheels painted in titanium grey. They are shod with 255/35 R 20 tires at the front and 275/35 R 20 at the rear.

All these extras come at a hefty cost which in this case has been set by Mercedes-Benz at €17,850 (incl. 19% German VAT) or about $23,100 US - and that of course, does not include the price of the CL500 / CL500 4MATIC.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com