Misha Design Mercedes CLS and SL

US tuner Misha Design has released their first official video, detailing two of the coolest widebody Mercedes conversions we’ve seen in a long time, the ones they did for the Mercedes Benz CLS and the SL roadster.

Both cars have received bespoke bumpers, wheel arch extensions and door sills, together with a diffuser tail with integrated exhausts.

Misha Designs SL-M wide body kit can be installed on any Mercedes-Benz SL R230 models, built between 2003 to 2011. What’s more, you don’t have to own the range-topper model as it works with the SL500, SL550, SL600, AMG SL55, AMG SL63 and AMG SL65. However, the older Mercedes-Benz SL R230 models need front facelift conversion that incudes new headlights and grill.

Meanwhile, the Misha Designs CLS-M body kit can be installed on any Mercedes-Benz CLS 218 models built from 2011- present. It kit works on CLS500, CLS550, and AMG CLS63 and includes the front and rear bumpers, hood, fenders, side skirts, diffuser, roof spoiler and trunk spoiler. Optional Carbon Fiber accessory pieces -- hood vents, front lip, rear bumper vents, diffuser, roof and trunk spoiler.

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Mercedes CLS Shooting Break

Mercedes-Benz’s relentless product proliferation continues apace and the next derivative in the pipeline is the CLS Shooting Break, captured here in prototype form by motoring.com.au’s editor in-chief, Mike Sinclair, during a recent trip to Germany.

The first signs of what was to come was provided by the CLS ‘Shooting Break’ (Merc spells it this way) concept revealed at the 2010 Beijing motor show, and it appears the essence of the design study has carried through to the road-going version.

The surfacing on the flanks has been smoothed out and some of the detailing has been finessed, but other than that it’s largely a case of as-you-were. It’s believed the car will make its first public appearance at next month’s Goodwood Festival of Speed – a veritable bonanza of auto porn.

Going on the accompanying image – plus what we’ve seen of the 2010 concept – it appears the CLS Shooting Break is a far more successful attempt at the genre (at least visually) than the frumpy looking BMW 5 Series GT.

It remains to be seen how much more practicality and versatility the Shooting Break offers over the CLS sedan it’s derived from, but the rear hatchback and flat storage space could potentially enable it to swallow a much larger swag of gear than its four-door sibling.

The powertrain line-up is expected to reflect that of the CLS sedan, kicking off with a 225kW 3.5-litre direct-injection V6 and topping out with the thumping twin-turbo 5.5-litre V8 that propels the CLS 63 AMG.

The CLS Shooting Break will be built at the largest Mercedes-Benz production facility, Sindelfingen, the same plant that builds C-Class and E-Class sedan, E-Class Estate, S-Class, CLS and CL coupes, and formerly the Maybach uber-luxo brand.

It’s worth keeping in mind that this isn’t the only Shooting Break that Merc is plotting, as also reportedly in the works is a similar derivative based on the smaller BLS/CLC four-door coupe.

via: carsales

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VW Show CC R-Line Modifications in 3D

Having recently unveiled the US-bound CC R-Line, Volkswagen have decided that it would be a good idea for future customers to see what the R-Line pack brings over the standard car.

As we had previously reported, the CC R-Line gets the Golf GTI’s 2-liter petrol engine with 200hp, special body modifications, new rims and, of course, ‘R’ badges. The 360° view animation clearly shows how the lowered bumpers and skirts look on the car, from every angle, and how they look with the different sets of rims available for the car.

Honestly, we think the Passat CC is a decently elegant car, but kind of bland in its styling, and not even the ‘R touch’ can hide the fact that it’s a stretched Passat which is desperately trying to be a Mercedes-Benz CLS (and fails).

However, its simple yet elegant styling forms part of its appeal, and coupled with VW’s famed reliability, it will appeal to many people, especially in R-Line trim. 

Via: autoevolution

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Mercedes-Benz rolls out the gold carpet in Cannes

We've seen some rather unfortunately garish chrome-jobs in our day, and yes, some have even ladled on the shiny stuff in gold. Many of those have also been Mercedes-Benz vehicles. But while we've come to expect that kind of bling from owners with cash coming out of their Ferragamo shoes, we didn't expect the same treatment to be carried out by Mercedes-Benz itself on its own vehicles.

We were wrong. Because that's precisely what the German automaker had in store for this year's Cannes International Film Festival. For the awarding of the prestigious 65th Palme d'Or, Benz rolled out a fleet of vehicles wrapped in gold in which it shuttled around movie stars and other celebrities. Among the attendees were the CLS four-door coupe, ML sport-ute and S-Class limousine.

The AMG division was also on hand to show off the new SL65 and offer celebrities a chance to drive their latest offerings. Hopefully those convinced on the Cote d'Azur to place an order will have the good sense to forgo the gilded treatment, though. See what Daimler had to say for itself in the press release below. 

Mercedes-Benz and AMG at the Cannes Film Festival: Golden fleet for the 65th Palme d'Or

Stuttgart/Cannes. Star quality befitting the anniversary of the Cannes International Film Festival: to celebrate the awarding of the 65th Palme d'Or (Golden Palm), Mercedes-Benz and Mercedes-AMG are providing a fleet of shuttle vehicles in gold. Mercedes-Benz and its performance-brand AMG will also be creating a unique automotive experience by supplying other shuttle services, showcasing vehicles and offering exclusive test drives to guests and visitors to this year's film festival from 16 to 27 May 2012.

As a tribute to the 65th anniversary of the Palme d'Or, the golden Mercedes-Benz fleet will be driving through Cannes offering VIP guests of the film festival an outstanding shuttle service. A very special star will also be shining at the legendary Cinema Against AIDS Gala being organised by the amfAR foundation at the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc on 24 May: a gold Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG "45th Anniversary". The iconic SL sports car celebrates its 60th birthday this year, while the AMG performance brand turns 45. Mercedes-Benz is co-sponsor of this top-class gala, which is one of the most prestigious events held during the film festival. Shuttle vehicles provided by Mercedes-Benz will ensure attendees make a spectacular entrance when they arrive on the red carpet.

High-performance AMG brand offering individual test drives

AMG, the high-performance division of Mercedes-Benz, is sponsoring the legendary "Le Club by Albane" at the J.W. Marriott hotel and the "IWC Filmmakers Dinner" at the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc on 21 May 2012. For both events, the brand will be providing an exclusive shuttle service featuring various vehicles to ferry guests to the red carpet. The new Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG "45th Anniversary" will likewise be on show at the "IWC Filmmakers Dinner".

Every day throughout the festival, Mercedes-AMG invites guests and visitors to experience true "Driving Performance" on individual test drives along the French Riviera in various current AMG models. Interested parties are welcome to register for a test drive between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily at the AMG desk in the lobby of the Hotel InterContinental Carlton Cannes from 16 to 27 May 2012. Throughout the festival, a Mercedes-Benz SL 63 AMG will be on display outside the hotel – in keeping with the festival, the vehicle will be staged on a film set

Via: Mercedes-Benz

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2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake World Premiere at Goodwood Festival of Speed 2012

The Goodwood Festival of Speed 2012, which will take place from Friday 29 June to Sunday 1 July, will be the stage for the world premiere of the brand new 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake.

The official release of the new member to the Mercedes-Benz line up follows the display of the Shooting Brake Concept at last year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed. An AMG version is also in the works, but will not be released at the UK event but later this year or early next year.

Two petrol engine choices will be released for the sporty estate. The CLS 350 will have a 3.5 liter V6 producing 306hp together with 272Nm of torque. Next in line will be the CLS 550 with a 4.6 liter V8 engine developing 402hp together with 443Nm of torque. 

The top of the range CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake model will come with the 5.5 liter V8 engine that will have an output of around 518hp and 516Nm of torque. The diesel engine line up will include a 201hp 250 CDI and a 262hp 350 CDI engine.

The ‘Speedshift MCT’ seven-speed transmission and the acclaimed electromechanical steering system are part of the standard kit. Expect to see the first cars in showrooms by the end of this year or early next year.

Stay tuned for more heading up to the annual event in the south of Britain.

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Inspire Tuning W219 Mercedes CLS Black Bison by Wald

Few people know that Wald International, the makers of those insane Black Bison widebody kits for the coolest of Mercedes’ models are actually from Japan. And today we learn a bit of extra information about the company, as a body kit from the Indonesian division called Inspire Tuning has been released.

This targets the Mercedes Benz CLS, not the new one, but the old W219 four-door coupe that started the craze back when it was launched in 2004. Now though, new life has been breathed into the body of the old car, since it’s been enhanced to the max!

The widebody conversion includes a new front bumper and a new diffuser round the back. There are also new side skirts and a trunk lip spoiler. The color upper and lower grilles have both been blacked out, together with the Mercedes badge, creating that menacing look we know and love.

The car also rides low on a set of 20-inch blacked out Renovatio rims.

[via autoevolution]

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Official: Mercedes-Benz CLS-M by Misha Designs

Misha Designs has released a new body kit for the 2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS model line up. The complete body kit is a direct bolt-on kit and is named CLS-M.

The kit includes an all-new front bumper with optional lower carbon fiber lip spoiler. The larger and more aggressive openings draw in more air to cool the engine of the Mercedes-Benz CLS. The hood has carbon fiber inserts at the top. 

The fenders are wider and are functional drawing air out from behind the front tires. The side skirts flow smoothly into the new rear fender flares. The rear bumper comes with optional carbon fiber gills and a carbon fiber diffuser that helps channeling the air improving the downforce. The rear trunk and roof spoilers give the luxury car a more aggressive look.

The tuner from California also fitted a new set of black rims, but did not release the exact specifications of the wheel set.

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