Carlsson was a German car tuning manufacturer specialising in Mercedes-Benz cars. The Carlsson tuning house was founded by brothers Rolf and Andreas Hartge in 1989. Carlsson's products were available for the entire current range of Mercedes-Benz models including the R-Class,[1] SL-Class,[2] C-Class[3] and the GL-Class[4] along with many others. The company is most popular for its range of alloy wheels.
 | |
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | 1989 |
| Defunct | 2023 |
| Headquarters | Merzig, Germany |
Key people | Markus Schuster, Chief Technical Officer |
| Products | Automobiles |
| Website | www.carlsson.de |
Through a new importer Carlsson began a more aggressive push into the US market in 2006 after debuting their newly modified CL500 (Euro-spec) vehicle at the 2006 SEMA Show. In their review, Modified Luxury & Exotics magazine said, "... the CL is starting to resemble something more in line with a Bentley Continental - even if it is a little shy when it comes to horsepower."[5]
History
editThe brothers, Rolf and Andreas Hartge, started a company in 1989 named Carlsson in honor of the Swedish rally driver, Ingvar Carlsson, who raced for the Mercedes Rally Team during the 1980s.
Carlsson also made cars based on Citroën, SAAB, Toyota, Lexus, Hyundai, and Genesis models.[6][7][8][9]
In 2012, Zhongsheng Group Holdings Limited acquired 70% of the company's stake.[10]
In 2015, Sambo Motors Co. Ltd., a Korean company, took over with effect from December 4.[11]
Cars
editCarlsson CK35 RS Race Car
editBased on a Mercedes SLK350 the CK35 RS race car debuted at the Nürburgring 24 hour race in 2005. The Carlsson Racer produces 320 hp (240 kW) at 6500 rpm and 295 ft⋅lbf (400 N⋅m) of torque at 3500 rpm. It can sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.8 seconds and reaches a top speed of 265 km/h (165 mph).[1]
Carlsson C25
editCarlsson's first supercar, the C25, made its debut at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. With a limited run of 25 units, the C25 is powered by a twin-turbocharged V12 engine that generates 753 hp (562 kW) and 848 ft⋅lbf (1,150 N⋅m) of torque. Estimated acceleration from 0–100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.7 seconds and top speed is 219 mph. (355 km/h)[12]
Carlsson C38
editThe Carlsson C38 was produced in 1998 in very limited numbers as it was incredibly expensive when new. Based on the 208 CLK320 with the Carlsson CM38 upgraded engine (hand built 3.8V6), strengthened chassis, braking system, exhaust, suspension, 18 inch three piece alloy wheels 9.5 (front) 11.5(rear), wide body and speedometer cluster. The C38 is seldom seen for sale and very sought after by collectors.
Carlsson Coachbuilding
editIn 2007, Carlsson began a coachbuilding program with fashion house Etienne Aigner. The first example of their work together was a coachbuilt Mercedes CL65, titled the Carlsson Aigner CK65 RS "Eau Rouge." The "Eau Rouge" refers to the famous turn at the Belgian race track Spa Francorchamps. Producing 700 hp (520 kW) from Carlsson's engineers the car has a two-tone paint scheme and features a hand crafted wine-colored interior from Etienne Aigner.[13]
References
edit- ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20070928123119/http://www.emercedesbenz.com/Nov05/18CarlssonToDebutRClass.html [bare URL]
- ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20070928123148/http://www.emercedesbenz.com/Aug06/09_Carlsson_Introduces_Tuner_Package_For_2007_SL55_AMG.html [bare URL]
- ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20070703024555/http://www.emercedesbenz.com/Apr07/02_Carlsson_Debuts_New_Tuning_CK35_Tuning_Package_For_The_2008_Mercedes_Benz_C_Class.html [bare URL]
- ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20070928122358/http://www.emercedesbenz.com/Oct06/11_Carlsson_Unleashes_The_CK50_Tuning_Package_For_The_GL_Class.html [bare URL]
- ^ Modified Luxury & Exotics Tier-One Tuning, PP. 100 to 106, By Colum Wood. Photos by Joost Demuynck. June 2007
- ^ "Saab 9000 Carlsson – Performance with Responsibility". saabplanet.com. 19 November 2017. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
- ^ "Citroën at the Frankfurt Motor Show - C5 Break by Carlsson". citroenet.org.uk. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
- ^ "Carlsson PENINSULA Hyundai i30 N Tuning". carlsson-peninsula.de. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
- ^ "Mind-boggling: Toyota Camry tuning by Carlsson". motoringconbrio.com. 11 June 2013. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
- ^ "Carlsson bought by Chinese". Motor1.com. Retrieved 2018-09-11.
- ^ Mitrache, Vlad (2015-12-07). "Long-Time Mercedes-Benz Tuner Carlsson Saved from Bankruptcy by South Korean Company". autoevolution. Retrieved 2018-09-11.
- ^ Serious Wheels - 2010 Carlsson C25 Development
- ^ Modified Luxury & Exotics Fast Fashion, PP. 46 to 52, By Dustin A. Woods. Photos by Joost Demuynck. May 2008
External links
edit- Carlsson Official Homepage
- Article on Carlsson Aigner CK65 RS "Eau Rouge"
- Carlsson Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd.