Carlsson (car company)

Last updated
CARLSSON FAHRZEUGTECHNIK GMBH
Company type Public
Industry Automotive
Founded1989
Defunct2023
Headquarters Merzig, Germany
Key people
Markus Schuster, Chief Technical Officer
Products Automobiles
Website www.carlsson.de
Carlsson Aigner CK65 RS Blanchimont Carlsson Aigner CK65 RS Blanchimont front view.jpg
Carlsson Aigner CK65 RS Blanchimont
Carlsson CK63 RSR Carlsson CK63 RSR front view.jpg
Carlsson CK63 RSR

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.

Contents

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

The 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

Carlsson CK35 RS Race Car

Based on a Mercedes SLK350 the CK35 RS race car debuted at the Nürburgring 24 hour race in 2005. The Carlsson Racer produces 320 hp (239 kW) at 6500 rpm and 295 ft⋅lbf (400 N⋅m) of torque at 3500 rpm. It can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.8 seconds and reaches a top speed of 265 km/h (165 mph).

Carlsson C25

Carlsson C25 Carlsson C25 front view.jpg
Carlsson C25

The C25, based on the Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG, made its debut at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. It's powered by a twin-turbocharged V12 engine that generates 753 hp (562 kW) and 848 ft⋅lbf (1,150 N⋅m) of torque, electronically limited from 995 ft⋅lbf (1,349 N⋅m) because of the transmission. It also features carbon fiber bodywork with a fixed roof, ditching the power folding hardtop from the SL, which Carlsson claims reduces the total weight by 220 lb (100 kg), for a curb weight of around 4,300 lb (1,950 kg). Estimated acceleration from 0–100 km/h (62 mph) is 3.7 seconds and the top speed is 219 mph. (355 km/h) [12] [13] Carlsson said they planned to produce a limited run of 25 units, each of which would go to a different country. [14]

Carlsson Coachbuilding

In 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. [15]

References

  1. ↑ "EMercedesBenz - the Unofficial Mercedes-Benz Weblog". Archived from the original on 28 September 2007.
  2. ↑ "EMercedesBenz - the Unofficial Mercedes-Benz Weblog". Archived from the original on 28 September 2007.
  3. ↑ "EMercedesBenz - the Unofficial Mercedes-Benz Weblog". Archived from the original on 3 July 2007.
  4. ↑ "EMercedesBenz - the Unofficial Mercedes-Benz Weblog". Archived from the original on 28 September 2007.
  5. ↑ Modified Luxury & Exotics Tier-One Tuning, PP. 100 to 106, By Colum Wood. Photos by Joost Demuynck. June 2007
  6. ↑ "Saab 9000 Carlsson – Performance with Responsibility". saabplanet.com. 19 November 2017. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
  7. ↑ "Citroën at the Frankfurt Motor Show - C5 Break by Carlsson". citroenet.org.uk. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
  8. ↑ "Carlsson PENINSULA Hyundai i30 N Tuning". carlsson-peninsula.de. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
  9. ↑ "Mind-boggling: Toyota Camry tuning by Carlsson". motoringconbrio.com. 11 June 2013. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
  10. ↑ "Carlsson bought by Chinese". Motor1.com. Retrieved 2018-09-11.
  11. ↑ Mitrache, Vlad (2015-12-07). "Long-Time Mercedes-Benz Tuner Carlsson Saved from Bankruptcy by South Korean Company". autoevolution. Retrieved 2018-09-11.
  12. ↑ Serious Wheels - 2010 Carlsson C25 Development
  13. ↑ "Carlsson C25: For When Way Overpowered Just Isn't Enough". March 4, 2010.
  14. ↑ "Carlsson C25 Coupe - Upper Class". MotorTrend. 2010-09-30. Retrieved 2025-08-17.
  15. ↑ Modified Luxury & Exotics Fast Fashion, PP. 46 to 52, By Dustin A. Woods. Photos by Joost Demuynck. May 2008
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