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Tags: Mercedes-Benz CLS 55 Ai Design

Tag Link: Mercedes-Benz CLS 55 Ai Design

Exclusive: Mercedes-Benz CLS 55 by Ai Design
Ai Design has announced the completion and delivery of a striking looking, performance tuned 2006 Mercedes CLS 55 commissioned by DC Shoes Co-Founder, Ken Block. The Astonishing appearance of the sedan, finished in matte black from tip to tail, is accented by a vented hood and gleaming orange Brembo racing brake calipers at all four wheels. “It was a pleasure to work with a client who had strong ideas about what he wanted,” commented Ai Design president Matthew Figliola. “Mr. Block certainly appreciated our design sensibilities pertaining to this project, however he was clearly capable of making critical decisions along the way,” Figliola added.

Ai Design began by upgrading the heart of the CLS 55 using Brabus K8 engine tuning components yielding 575 horsepower. The CLS 55 breathes easily through Brabus twin-tip sport exhaust mufflers that peek out from behind a tailor-made Brabus rear bumper diffuser. Handling has been dramatically enhanced utilizing a Brabus electronic suspension lowering module, combined with Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tires wrapped around Radenergie R10 20-inch wheels. Brembo 8-piston racing brake calipers mate to 15-inch rotors up front, while 4-piston calipers and 13.6-inch rotors have been fitted to the rear wheels.

The exterior appearance of Block’s CLS 55 is a departure from tradition within any segment of the custom car craze - a matte black finish has been applied to all body panels, and in contrast, the chrome trim has been finished in a glossy piano block, giving the sleek sedan an almost menacing appearance. Tail and side marker lamps have all been tinted, and a bronze-cast DC Shoes logo, hand-sculpted by a jeweler commissioned by Ai Design, has also been finished in piano black and affixed to the trunk alongside the factory emblem. The front bumper, carbon fiber grill, vented hood (used to keep the tweaked power-plant cool), side skirt panels, and trunk lid spoiler (all from Brabus) round out the list of exterior accoutrements.

In order to give Block better access to the gear selector in the manual shift mode, Ai Design fitted the CLS 55 with a Brabus sport steering wheel fitted with paddle shifters. Vehicle side and trunk ground illumination was added for the ultimate in luxury and convenience, and the DC Shoes logo was embroidered into each of the car’s four interior headrests. Ai Design’s famed V1 radar detection system with etched rearview mirror display and an iPod/MOST interface complete the package.

“I truly enjoyed working with Ai Design - their quality craftsmanship and attention to detail is far beyond the work done for me by other shops,” stated Mr. Block at the completion of the project. Read Article
Exclusive: Mercedes-Benz CLS 55 by Ai Design



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Sauceboy01Sauceboy01 - 11/8/2006 7:58:21 PM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
BMW530iBMW530i - 11/8/2006 8:01:15 PM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
The CLS is a beautiful car, but these aftermarket editions are just terrible.

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CarboyCarboy - 11/8/2006 8:09:46 PMView My AgentSpace
0 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
THEY RUINED IT AGAIN, LIKE THE S-CLASS COUPE IN THE SEMA AUTO SHOW!!!!!!!

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bigslick83bigslick83 - 11/8/2006 8:44:25 PM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
aww shit why would you go and try to spice up something thats already as close as you can get to perfection. all your gonna do is screw it up. do you see those ORANGE brembo brakes SHEEESHHHH!!! can you say gaudy?

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StepYaGameUpStepYaGameUp - 11/8/2006 11:57:41 PM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
id rock it, especially since i skateboard and am a big fan of DC, as well as a mercedes fan. Not to mention, with 575 horsepower, would be most likely faster than any other car of its kind 0-60, and with improved handling taht will hopefully cancel out all BMW fan's argument of inferior handlingin all benz's as compared to bmw's.

Just thinking about driving this with the driver's window rolled down enough so you can only see my matching new era DC fitted hat. that is my dream!!!

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themantheman - 11/9/2006 2:03:56 AM
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They ruined the most beautifull 4 door in the world..Sad..

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Agent63Agent63 - 11/9/2006 3:48:33 AMView My AgentSpace
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
It looks better simply with the AMG package or the AMG model alone without aftermarket additions. It no longer has the traditional MB style of an upscale vehicle but carries the look of a tuner (in which the CLS is not). Instead of adding Lorinsor, Brabus, chrome rims, etc they add black rims that look rubbish and degrades the vehicle.

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JUGNUJUGNU - 11/9/2006 4:23:53 AMView My AgentSpace
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Why tuning 5.5l now,go for the 6.3l and make a monster.

JUGNU

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I95SPEEDINGTICKETSI95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 11/9/2006 3:04:11 PM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Other than the Bonnet Vents and the Orange Brake Pads the car looks good

I would choose the standard AMG Exterior over the Brabus/Ai Hybrid and just have the whole thing Painted Matt Black with the Strips in Piano Black and the Wheels would have Black Spokes and Polished Lip (I Hate Chrome)

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