
Mercedes-Benz CL600 and SL500 - Restrained Excess... Is Just Enough For A Few Of Us
Inside the SL's cockpit, more inspiration was taken from the SL55, where the instrument pods, overhead trim and sun visors have been covered in black Ultra Suede. In addition to converting the stock radio screen to accept video inputs in both cars, Ai Design also replaced their stock speakers with Focal 165 components driven by JL Audio amps. An eight-inch JL Audio sub lives in the SL's passenger footwell, while a custom fiberglass enclosure covered in hand-stitched leather holds a 10-inch sub in the CL's trunk.
"We try not to go crazy with our customers," says Ai's fabricator Don Whitmire. "We could sell them anything, but anything and everything isn't always what they need. We try to do just enough for our customers and yet exceed their expectations in every way."
Mercedes-Benz Cl600
DrivetrainLongitudinal front engine, rear-wheel drive
Engine5.5-liter V12, sohc, three valves per cylinder, twin turbocharged and intercooled Brabus software, sport exhaust
BrakesBrembo GT assemblies
Wheels and TiresBrabus Monoblock V, 9.5x19 (f) 10x20 (r)Michelin Pilot Sport AS, 245/40-19 (f) 275/30-20 (r)
PerformancePeak Power: 577 bhpPeak Torque: 664 lb-ft
Mercedes-Benz Sl500
DrivetrainLongitudinal front engine, rear-wheel drive
Engine5.0-liter V8, sohc, three valves per cylinder, supercharged and intercooledKleemann Comfort Power supercharger kit, Brabus sport exhaust
BrakesBrembo GT assemblies
Wheels and TiresHRE 847R, 9x20 (f) 11x20 (r)Continental ContiSport Contact, 255/30-20 (f) 305/25-20 (r)
PerformancePeak Power: 506 bhpPeak Torque: 675 lb-ft