STOP LOOKING AT the huge Mercedes-Benz CL as a luxury cruiser – consider it as a true drivers car. This is the philosophy of the German customizer of Mercedes-Benz cars, Carlsson, Merzig, Germany, when they launch this brutal concept-car called CL RS.

The concept car is based on CL Coupé V8, which produces either 306 HP with the normal Mercedes-Benz logo and 360 HP with the name of AMG at the rear. But this is far too little the tuner and customizer from Merzig thinks – this flat-out-CL produces 508 HP.

Tech Spec is interesting reading. The CL RS comes with a new compressor system (Supercharger and not a turbo), which has been developed in a joint venture together with Ogura Clutch Co., Ltd.
The compressor for the V8, which until today is the most powerful in the Carlsson range of engines, has been integrated in the engine unit and is placed between the cylinder banks.

Tuning with a compressor is an interesting step to tuner Carlsson; until this car the company has found more power by conventional tuning, bigger bore and stroke, faster camshafts and so on.

CL RS output: 508 HP. Torque: 650 Nm.


FACTS
· Carlsson concept-car CL RS
· V8
· Compressor system
· 508 HP
· 650 Nm
· 0-100km/h: Less the 5sec.
· 245/35 x 20 at 8.5in alloys
· 285/30 x 20 at 9.5in alloys


Images
Carlsson CL RS, from in front – relaxed, but powerful style, Carlsson CL RS, from behind – don’t expect the letters on the production car, Carlsson CL RS, door – armrest and centre console covered with Carbon.

By Flemming Haslund