[PTA Slowchat]Carlsson Mercedes 270 0-100 in 9.2 s

Special Tuning Feature Carlsson Mercedes CLK 270 CDI

Racing conditions

Carlsson demonstrates precision: the tuning team converts a Mercedes CLK under pressure of time; V8 star series driver Kurt Thiim tests the difference

The preparations run exactly according to plan: 26 October and the Metz airfield track is reserved; a Mercedes CLK is ready; the team of Mercedes tuner Carlsson is highly motivated; touring-car driver Kurt Thiim is waiting to get behind the wheel. The plan: a standard Mercedes CLK 270 CDI is to do three timed laps of the racetrack then come into the pits and be converted by the tuning team in the style of a racing pit stop. Waiting to be fitted: an aerodynamic kit, an up-rated suspension system, a sport exhaust system, 18" wheels and a supplementary engine control unit that releases an additional 35 bhp (standard: 170 bhp). Then, with Kurt Thiim back at the wheel, it's onto the racetrack again for another three timed laps. The aim of all this: to discover exactly what the conversion means in terms of lap time, how it interprets in terms of subjective driving impressions and whether the tuning-parts fitted are up to the job.

It is dry, cold and the light is just about good enough for the photographer to document the proceedings. Rolf Hartge, boss of the Carlsson tuning firm, exudes an air of confidence while Ex-German Touring Car Champion and Vice Champion Thiim sets out to pit the standard CLK against the clock.

In addition to a straight of almost a kilometre, the track has a selection of hairpin and S bends, i.e., enough variety to permit judgements about the chassis, engine power delivery and handling safety. The stopwatch shows 1:23.912 and Kurt Thiim's weak smile indicates a certain degree of resignation: "The car is absolutely safe to drive however, it rolls a lot and tends to understeer. All in all, it is not very precise to drive." Professional judgements can be hard. Our own test laps confirm his impression. The CLK understeers through the twists and turns, scrubs off speed and generates a less than dynamic feeling. The performance measurements show 9.2 seconds for the sprint to 100 km/h and a top speed of 230 km/h.

Pit stop under pressure of time

Now the tuner's team is ready for the off. The mechanics go to work in a coordinated style: the CLK is jacked up and the bumpers, front suspension struts, rear shock absorbers and springs and the exhaust system unbolted. A dismal sight: the CLK sits like an abandoned car on blocks, the front brakes hang without support and the rear-wheel mounts droop down. Half time! The photographer is busily capturing the hectic activity onto film: the spoiler bumpers are bolted on, the adjustable suspension (height and hardness) is mounted, the exhaust system and performance kit fitted. The crew's work is good, after all, they are experienced thanks to the many times the company has participated in the 24 hours race at the Nürburgring. The deadline is tight: an hour must suffice and everything must function properly. Even the fog lamps must be connected.

With a few minutes to go before the hour is up, the CLK is back on the ground and sitting significantly lower on 18-inch forged wheels. A brief check after a running-in lap and the team give the thumbs up for three laps of racing stress. Lap times within tenths of a second of each other indicate that the car is considerably more precise to drive. Thiim's impressions confirm this: the steering is more exact and, with greatly increased grip, the suspension modifications make the car more enjoyable to drive. The tuned CLK follows movements in the steering wheel more spontaneously and generates increased feedback, which represents a noticeable improvement when driving on the limit. The 205 bhp also play a part in the lap time of 1:18.461 (5.451 seconds better than the standard model). Nevertheless, the driving pleasure is not perfect: the automatic transmission of the Mercedes is too comfort oriented and damps the dynamism with long breaks during shifts. Changing gears manually is little help here. Nevertheless, the performance figures are nothing to be ashamed of: 8.1 seconds for the standard sprint discipline represents an improvement of 1.1 seconds. Top speed climbs to 238 km/h.

Conclusion: this is tuning that really pays off. A standard CLK 320 with 218 bhp and maximum torque of only 310 Newton metres costs € 45,530 and is not as dynamic as the Carlsson CLK 270 CDI (price excluding aerodynamic kit: € 48,699).

Vorige delen:

[Dit bericht is gewijzigd door -Eddow- op 06-01-2004 09:14]

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Op dinsdag 6 januari 2004 09:09 schreef PeuRac het volgende:
Weer een lelijke auto PTA gaat achteruit

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Op dinsdag 6 januari 2004 09:11 schreef ook_gek het volgende:
die foto klopt niet. want ik mis de achterbumper. Dus niet alles ligt voor de auto. Zullen ze de achter bumper gejat hebben

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[Dit bericht is gewijzigd door -Eddow- op 06-01-2004 09:39]

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Op dinsdag 6 januari 2004 09:38 schreef Xtreem het volgende:

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dat wil ik ook!

* Xtreem gaat ff douchen...

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Op dinsdag 6 januari 2004 09:54 schreef Tjabbo het volgende:
deze : PTA Slowchat archief is niet up to date

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Op dinsdag 6 januari 2004 10:00 schreef Tjabbo het volgende:

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Deze staat er nog niet bij

ff testen:
[afbeelding]

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Op dinsdag 6 januari 2004 10:05 schreef Tjabbo het volgende:

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de vorige stond er ook bij toen deze nog niet vol was

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Op dinsdag 6 januari 2004 10:13 schreef Tjabbo het volgende:

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oddow zag bij mijn eerste post niet de posticon.

en jij moet niet zo'n grote mond hebben.

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