MERZIG, Germany — Carlsson Autotechnik, the German tuning boutique, has collaborated once again with Munich-based fashion house Etienne Aigner on a high-end Mercedes-Benz, and once again the partners have been inspired by the rarefied world of Formula 1 when naming their offspring.
The new Carlsson Aigner CK65 RS Blanchimont, based on the big S-Class sedan, is named for the famed Blanchimont corner at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium. The track is located about 120 miles from Carlsson's headquarters in the Saar. It also provided the naming inspiration for the CL-based Carlsson CK65 RS Eau Rouge coupe, displayed at last year's 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show.
The Blanchimont ranks just a notch below the Bugatti Veyron in performance and exclusivity. Each bespoke copy of the two-tone tourer is handcrafted over two weeks and is adorned with acres of aluminum, Alcantara and sumptuous Aigner leather. In fact, the partners offer buyers a choice of 30 different interior color combinations with matching woods.
The usual array of high-end features from Mercedes can be ordered, along with a super-premium audio system bolstered by Alpine and Focal components. A 15-inch monitor drops out of the roof, individual tray tables drop from the front seatbacks, and there are wireless Internet connections and integrated power supplies for up to three laptops.
Of course, that Blanchimont moniker hints at a little more than mere creature comfort. Carlsson starts with the awesome Benz biturbo 6.0-liter V12 and adds some twists and tweaks of its own, including a reprogrammed ECU, sport air filter, revised intercooler and stainless steel sport exhaust system with low-backpressure mufflers and quad pipes.
Carlsson squeezes 695 horsepower and 811 pound-feet of torque from the big 12-cylinder engine, necessitating an electronic governor to tether top end to a mere 199 mph. The 0-60-mph sprint in this leviathan takes less than 3.9 seconds.
Carlsson adds an electronic suspension-lowering kit and fits 21-inch three-piece forged alloy wheels with Dunlop SP Sport Maxx performance tires — 265/30ZR21 in front and 295/25ZR21 in the rear.
To top things off, the tuner adds a few discreet carbon fiber bits to the exterior to smooth the airflow, including a front spoiler lip, rear apron lip, rear diffuser and rear wing.
Is it a bargain? Consider that the limited-edition Mercedes S65 AMG makes 604 hp and is priced from around $195,000, while a Maybach 57 S with essentially the same engine will set you back $375,000.
With the value-added tax, Germans will pay $690,900 for the Carlsson Aigner CK65 RS Blanchimont, and that's just for starters. Those lucky few in export markets who get their orders in early will shell out only $580,600 for the basic package.
What this means to you: We won't render an opinion on the performance-to-price quotient, but it sure looks better than a Maybach. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
The new Carlsson Aigner CK65 RS Blanchimont, based on the big S-Class sedan, is named for the famed Blanchimont corner at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium. The track is located about 120 miles from Carlsson's headquarters in the Saar. It also provided the naming inspiration for the CL-based Carlsson CK65 RS Eau Rouge coupe, displayed at last year's 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show.
The Blanchimont ranks just a notch below the Bugatti Veyron in performance and exclusivity. Each bespoke copy of the two-tone tourer is handcrafted over two weeks and is adorned with acres of aluminum, Alcantara and sumptuous Aigner leather. In fact, the partners offer buyers a choice of 30 different interior color combinations with matching woods.
The usual array of high-end features from Mercedes can be ordered, along with a super-premium audio system bolstered by Alpine and Focal components. A 15-inch monitor drops out of the roof, individual tray tables drop from the front seatbacks, and there are wireless Internet connections and integrated power supplies for up to three laptops.
Of course, that Blanchimont moniker hints at a little more than mere creature comfort. Carlsson starts with the awesome Benz biturbo 6.0-liter V12 and adds some twists and tweaks of its own, including a reprogrammed ECU, sport air filter, revised intercooler and stainless steel sport exhaust system with low-backpressure mufflers and quad pipes.
Carlsson squeezes 695 horsepower and 811 pound-feet of torque from the big 12-cylinder engine, necessitating an electronic governor to tether top end to a mere 199 mph. The 0-60-mph sprint in this leviathan takes less than 3.9 seconds.
Carlsson adds an electronic suspension-lowering kit and fits 21-inch three-piece forged alloy wheels with Dunlop SP Sport Maxx performance tires — 265/30ZR21 in front and 295/25ZR21 in the rear.
To top things off, the tuner adds a few discreet carbon fiber bits to the exterior to smooth the airflow, including a front spoiler lip, rear apron lip, rear diffuser and rear wing.
Is it a bargain? Consider that the limited-edition Mercedes S65 AMG makes 604 hp and is priced from around $195,000, while a Maybach 57 S with essentially the same engine will set you back $375,000.
With the value-added tax, Germans will pay $690,900 for the Carlsson Aigner CK65 RS Blanchimont, and that's just for starters. Those lucky few in export markets who get their orders in early will shell out only $580,600 for the basic package.
What this means to you: We won't render an opinion on the performance-to-price quotient, but it sure looks better than a Maybach. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
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