The otherwise renowned Mercedes Benz tuner kinda messed things up a bit. Esthetically speaking at least. The Carlsson Aigner Limited Edition, based on the Mercedes-Benz GL 500, makes its world premiere at the Geneva Auto Salon. The most powerful normally-aspirated GL in the world has a 5,461cc, 48-valve, DOHC V8 motor that puts out 388 horsepower. The tuner's conversion of this engine features a free-flow exhaust system with metal catalytic converters, gas-flowed cylinder-heads, high-lift camshafts and a remapped ECU to boost output to 456 horsepower.
Impressive and so far we really like the car. Why wouldn't we like the way this monster leaps from naught to 60 in just 5.9 seconds? The problem is not with the inner parts of the car, but with what Carlsson Aigner used to cover it up. Several coats of hand-rubbed wine-red metallic paint have been applied to just below the window line. Above it, rich black paint. The two colors combine to make the car look unfinished. Its like the primer was never covered in the lower part of the car. To make matters worse, they added three piece forged alloy wheels, surrounded by a highly polished 23-inch outer rim.
Wider wheel arches and new side skirts were added, as was a weird looking new front apron extension. Seen from the front, the car looks like a Mercedes with a surprised look on its face. One with a very big “nose”, as the first thing that catches your eye is the oversized front grille.
Being so ugly, we can understand why the tuner decided to build only 20 of these... things. What we can't get is why ask 228,500 euros for it? Or rather, who is going to pay that much for it?
Sure, the mechanics is probably worth it, but the looks cancel all that out. The CK55 RS Rascasse is the perfect vehicle to be used in the Bronx. All the guys with big gold chains around their necks and guns tucked away in the most unthinkable places really needed a replacement for the outdated “gangsta” Escalade.
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