Frankfurt 2007: Carlsson Aigner CK65 Eau Rouge

Click the image above for more shots of the Carlsson Aigner CK65 Eau Rouge.

Random Benz tunage? Frankfurt's got more than you can shake a schnitzel at. But the only reason we snapped off a few shots of this particular CK was because of its two-tone hue, even though it is a subtle rip on the Veyron. Only after we got back and started going through some of our overlooked photos did we realized that this particular M-B was something a bit more special.

The Carlsson Aigner CK65 Eau Rouge is the product of a collaborative effort between the German tuning house and Etienne Aigner, a high-end leather purveyor. As you can imagine, the interior appointments are luxurious to a fault, with acres of dyed dead cow, Alcantara and wood lining every conceivable surface. What lies beneath though is far more compelling.

A turbocharged V12, aided by everything from new intercoolers to some heavy ECU tuning, produces over 700 HP and 800 lb.-ft. of torque, making the CL capable of a blast to 60 in 3.9 seconds. Ultra-light aluminum wheels, sized 21x9-inches in front and 21x10.5-inches in the rear, are wrapped in Dunlop SP Sport Maxx ZR 21 tires, reducing unsprung mass by a full 50-percent at all four corners.

There are more mods than we can mention, so Carlsson's press release is posted after the jump. And you can check out a gallery of live and press pics below.

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PRESS RELEASE

World premiere in Frankfurt: Carlsson Aigner CK65 "Eau Rouge"

* Luxury coupe with V12 engine and over 700 bhp

* Developed in cooperation with leather-lifestyle brand Aigner

* Top engineering "made in Germany"

Mercedes-Benz tuning specialists Carlsson have joined forces with international leather-lifestyle brand Etienne Aigner to develop the Carlsson Aigner CK65 "Eau Rouge". Made in an exclusive small series, the luxury coupe based on the Mercedes-Benz CL produces over 700 bhp and 1,100 Nm after being breathed on by Carlsson.

Technical masterwork
The engine conversion by Carlsson includes a special electronic control unit with special maps for injection and ignition. On the intake side, sports air filters ensure optimum aspiration. On the outlet side, a stainless-steel sports exhaust system with high-performance metal catalytic converters and sports silencers cut back-pressure to a minimum. Another measure to boost engine performance is improved intercooling, which reduces charge-air temperature. Thus, the V12 is always raring to go and the driver can rely on having more than adequate power on hand regardless of the situation.

Elegant and with an unsurpassed finish, the Carlsson Aigner CK65 is undoubtedly the most exciting way to travel today. For example, the Carlsson Aigner CK65 "Eau Rouge" is not only very fast - its top speed is electronically regulated for safety reasons to 320 km/h - but also leaves almost every sports car of the world standing with a 0-100 km/h time of just 3.9 seconds.

Named after one of the most famous race-track curves
With the Carlsson Aigner CK65 "Eau Rouge", Carlsson has also created a link to the world of motor racing. The car is named after one of the most famous race-track curves, the Eau Rouge in Spa Francorchamps.

An interior with the leather fragrance of Etienne Aigner
Etienne Aigner has agreed to provide the interior appointments for the Carlsson Aigner CK65 "Eau Rouge". A combination of the renowned Aigner leather and Aigner Alcantara make getting into and sitting in the car a delight. The redesigned interior is characterised by craftsmanship of the highest standard. With the ergonomically designed sports steering wheel in leather and Alcantara or leather and wood, keeping the Carlsson Aigner under control is a particularly pleasant tactile experience. Carlsson aluminium pedals and illuminated sill embellishers point the way to a world of sporting luxury.

Stainless-steel rear silencers: a sonorous note and improved flexibility
The Carlsson sports exhaust system not only produces a particularly powerful sound but also frees up more power. The rear view of the Carlsson Aigner CK65 is dominated by four tailpipes in that typical Carlsson look, which impress through a sonorous, sporting note. Compared to the standard product, the Carlsson system is characterised by less back-pressure and an optimised pipe run. The result: more torque and a higher output.

Ultra-lightweight forged wheels for greater ride comfort
Compared to the standard cast wheels, the Carlsson Ultra Light aluminium wheels weigh around 50 % less. Thanks to this reduction in mass, they tend to tramp less than cast wheels (lower unsprung weight) and thus provide optimum contact with the road. For the driver, this means improved handling and, therefore, higher driving safety and greater ride comfort. The Carlsson Aigner CK65 "Eau Rouge" rolls on 2/11 Ultra Light forged wheels with the dimensions 9 x 21" with Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 265/30 ZR 21 tyres at the front and 10.5 x 21" with Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 295/35 ZR21 at the rear.

Carlsson aerodynamic parts made of real carbon fibre
The new Carlsson aerodynamic kit underscores the elegant lines of the standard model. However, the Carlsson Aigner CK65 is distinguished by an independent appearance - both outside and inside. The front spoiler and rear-apron lip are finished in the diffuser look typical of Carlsson while the striking rear spoiler not only looks good but also improves the handling of the luxury coupe at high speeds. Carlsson's exclusive aerodynamic components are made of high-grade, ultra-lightweight real carbon fibre as used in Formula 1 racing.

Electronic C-Tronic SUSPENSION lowering kit
Exclusively for the Carlsson Aigner CK65, Carlsson offers the electronic C-Tronic SUSPENSION lowering kit, which reduces the ride height by approx. 30 mm. The driver can be assured that lowering the car gives it a significantly more sporting appearance. However, Carlsson's C-Tronic SUSPENSION not only lowers the car but also, thanks to the sophisticated technology, interacts intelligently with the road conditions. On poor surfaces with significant suspension jouncing, the vehicle height is automatically adjusted to ensure sufficient suspension travel for constant ride comfort. For the driver, the effect of the lower ride height is noticeable through a reduction in body roll and considerably more agile handling. In a nutshell: the C-Tronic SUSPENSION also stands for greater driving pleasure.

Moreover, the C-Tronic SUSPENSION also ensures that, in the case of speeds in excess of 120 km/h, the car is not lowered further than the maximum permitted for a standard car. In other words, so that it never drops below the minimum ride height thus ensuring adequate suspension travel at all times. Incidentally, lowering the car reduces aerodynamic drag and cuts lift by decreasing the amount of air that can flow beneath the vehicle.

Unlimited individuality
The Carlsson Aigner CK65 "Eau Rouge" is available in a variety of two-tone finishes. The exclusive small series is limited to ten cars, all fully equipped with Distronic, navigation system, hifi system, Aigner full-leather appointments, two-piece 21" aluminium wheels, Carlsson carbon-fibre aerodynamic parts, C-Tronic SUSPENSION, engine conversion and other extras. The gross price in Germany is EUR 365,000 in Germany and EUR 305,000 for export.

The Carlsson Aigner CK65 "Eau Rouge" can be ordered from any Carlsson dealer. According to Carlsson, options have already been taken out by customers in Russia, Japan and the USA.

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