CLS55 AMG by Ai Design
Ai Designs has been making a name for themselves over the past few years, customizing everything from 'Sclades to Skylines for a select clientele. When DC Shoes co-founder, Ken Block, decided his CLS55 AMG was too pedestrian in the performance and appearance department, the New York-based customizing firm got a call.
On the outside, the CLS got the in-vogue matte black treatment, while the chrome trimmings were bathed in a shiny piano black. A full body kit, including front bumper, side skirts, carbon fiber grill and spoiler were all sourced from Merc uber-tuner Brabus and Ai contracted a jeweler to create a custom DC logo that adorns the trunk lid.
The vented hood allows passersby to peer into the engine bay and get an eyeful of the AMG muscle that lurks underneath. Not content to leave the powerplant alone, Ai again tapped Brabus to provide their K8 engine kit, which, with the addition of a less restrictive exhaust, brings power output up to 575 HP.
A Brabus electronically controlled suspension module drops the CLS overtop 20-inch Radenergie R10 rollers, wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 2 rubber and 15-inch discs are under the pressure of eight-piston Brembos.
Inside, the Merc gets a custom slathering of interior materials, including a DC logo emblazoned onto the head rests. A Valentine One radar detector is hardwired, with the display etched into the rearview mirror.
The end result is incredibly trick, substantially quick and downright menacing. In short, we like.
(More pics after the jump.)
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Tracy 11:09AM (11/07/2006)
How do I send information to autoblog or suggest a story?
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Tal D 11:11AM (11/07/2006)
Is that an Infinity look alike front end? Or is it the photo angles and lighting making it appear so?
Otherwise very, very nice.
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Kowell 11:12AM (11/07/2006)
Where is the hidden missile launcher?
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blk321 11:15AM (11/07/2006)
its doesnt take very much artistic skill to black out a car.
looks nice, no doubt, but not like its all that special.
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Wyce 12:37AM (11/08/2006)
Piano black seems to be the next trendy trim color.
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Submachine 11:35AM (11/07/2006)
Whats the maintenance and durability on that paint?
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Brooksie 12:17PM (11/07/2006)
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful execution.
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chuck goolsbee 12:13PM (11/07/2006)
I'm sorry, Flat Black always looks like a amateur spray can job to me.
I also really dislike these plastic engine covers. They remind me of toy cars where you could open the "engine compartment" and see a cheesy pseudo engine in there that was raised up from the surrounding plastic. I want to see REAL valve covers and manifolds... not some lame plastic rendition of some.
The only exception I can allow is on Diesel engines, as they really are there to assist with sound deadening, but at least there, they are mostly flat, without pseudo-engine relief to them so their form follows function.
--chuck (stranded by floodwaters)
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Anorexicpillow 12:36PM (11/07/2006)
Tracy- Here is where you contact them with tips http://www.autoblog.com/tips/
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Rocket Punch 12:25PM (11/07/2006)
Man! I am not kidding. I don't think I've ever said this in public, but this car is sooooo sexy, I want to lick it "romatically". This is just plain COOL!
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jk 12:27PM (11/07/2006)
Nice. But Brabus already did this without that amateur paintjob
http://www.rsportscars.com/foto/09/rocket05_02.jpg
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New Yorker 12:27PM (11/07/2006)
Chuck, how can you direct your unfair rant on the ai Design CLS 55 towards its engine covers? Clearly any car made past 1985 has engine bits covered in plastic (worst aesthetics, Nissan’s VQ). Your post could be cut and pasted on every new car blog featured here. I’ve spent a bunch of time with the car in person—it looks as evil as sin.
Also note the kit is straight from the Brabus Rocket and the orange valve covers match the Brembos.
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chuck goolsbee 12:40PM (11/07/2006)
#10, my comment about plastic engine covers CAN be directed at more than this car, yes. I just said it here because I feel that it detracts from an otherwise nice design (beyond the paint)... I have no problem with picking up colors, or other thematic elements from elsewhere in the design, but does it HAVE to be a ridiculous plastic rendition of an engine, laid on top of an engine?
The engine is the heart of an automobile. Covering it up with something that is supposed to LOOK like an engine is not design, it is fraud.
Remember the Top Gear when Hammond spied the exhaust manifold through the louvers of the Jaguar E-type and compared it to a glimpse up a ladies skirt? Seeing plastic pseudo engine through a hood louver to me is like catching a glimpse up a transvestite's skirt! No thanks, I prefer the real thing.
--chuck
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Matt 9:18PM (11/08/2006)
So who is that REALLY designed for?
Darth Vader or Batman?
MCS
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Tracy 2:10PM (11/07/2006)
Thank you #11
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tony 4:38PM (11/07/2006)
I've always like the CLS AMG 55. This car is nicely done. It's mean looking and it means business when you this car i rear view mirror. BRAVO!!
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risingsun 6:04PM (11/07/2006)
The vented hood is just wrong... but I can get over the flat black.
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Warren 2:18PM (11/10/2006)
Very nicely done!
Ken should have fun parking that next to his rally car.
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toe moss 3:57PM (11/17/2006)
looks like Ken is moving up in the world of cars. This beats out his 85 VW GTI we use to cruise around in when we were in High School. Good for him.
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HAROLD McGruther 2:15PM (11/21/2006)
Ken Block's metoric rise from SoCal skate kid to millionaire racecar superstar, X Games honeyboy and semi-retired shoe-industry mogul has been fun to watch. 10 years ago Ken used to ride dirt bikes in the desert fields outside my front door--now he's maxin' and relaxin' with the illest ride on the planet. Tell all the haters out there that matte black is the new metallic silver and that thin-tongued vulcanized shoes are the new fat-tongued skateshoes. Represent!
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