Vredestein marked the fifth anniversary of its cooperation German premium car styler Carlsson at the Geneva International Motor Show. To this end the tyre brand showed its special Vredestein Ultrac Vorti for the Carlsson C-Class. Carlsson, the styling specialist for Mercedes-Benz and Smart, has developed a special version of the latest C-Class (W 205). It […]
Continuing its five-year collaboration, premier Mercedes tuner, Carlsson, Vredestein has released a new 19-inch high-performance tyre for the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class. The Carlsson Vredestein Ultrac Vorti is being pitched as a premium ultra-high performance tyre. Like numerous other Vredestein tyres, the new product’s asymmetric tread pattern was developed in cooperation with Giugiaro.
Under an agreement recently signed between Michelin and Carlsson, three Michelin tyre lines are being delivered to the German tuning manufacturer as a works-fitted option for its “most powerful models”. The Pilot Sport 3, Pilot Super Sport and Pilot Sport Cup 2 ranges are supplied by the ‘Specialty Products’ department within the Michelin Motorsports division, a department set up to manage the tyre maker’s ultra high-performance car tyre business and to serve both small and large manufacturers and tuners. The Carlsson supply deal commenced on 1 July.
Vredestein and German tuner Carlsson have agree to extend their cooperation agreement for a further three years following the signing of a new contract on 3 December. This partnership is part of Vredestein’s Premium Styling concept and has already resulted in unique Mercedes-Benz models styled by Carlsson. In the coming years, the cooperation will move up a gear, focusing on the development of models such as the new Mercedes-Benz S, E and ML. Vredestein is the strategic tyre partner supplying its range of premium designer tyres to Carlsson within the partnership.
On 18 June 2013 Apollo Vredestein Introduced its latest UHP winter tyre. The Wintrac xtreme S was designed in cooperation with Italian design house Giugiaro; a partnership that also led to the success of products such as the Ultrac Sessanta and Ultrac Vorti. To celebrate 15 years of cooperation, the introduction of the Wintrac xtreme S took place in Turin, the home of Italdesign Giugiaro and the hub of the automotive industry. The “style” element also explains why the latest version of the xtreme features an “S” in its name.
Details of a cooperative partnership between Vredestein and vehicle manufacturer Carlsson were announced on January 11. Upon announcing the commencement of the collaboration, Vredestein Germany managing director Michael Lutz stated “in Carlsson we now have a strong partner in the field of premium styling. Carlsson is one of the best car tuning manufacturers anywhere in the world. Above all, the Carlsson name stands for elegant and exceptional design, high-torque engines and innovative German quality engineering for Mercedes cars.”
Continental Tire North America has extended its partnership with GGI European Tuning, and will be the sole tyre supplier for all Carlsson Mercedes-Benz tuning packages sold in the United States. The exclusive use of Continental brand tyres extends Conti’s ongoing relationship with GGI – Hartge BMW and Sportec Porsche tuning packages that GGI sells in the United States are already fitted with Continental tyres as standard.
Vredestein has become the first tyre-maker to offer a 25-series winter tyre for people who want to drive their high-performance car in the winter time.
German company Carlsson has produced what it claims is the world’s lightest 21″ alloy wheel, the 1/5 Evo Ultra Light. Weighing only 10.8kg, the wheel is 40 per cent lighter than any other cast 21″ wheel, says Carlsson.
This weight reduction was achieved by applying forged technology, whereby the material is so strongly densified that there are no traces of air pores in the aluminium. At the same weight load, this allows a thinner wall, compared to usual rims, resulting in improved handling and driving pleasure.
Carlsson, the company behind many wheel and accessories modifications for Mercedes Benz has formalised its already intensive co-operation with Rolf Schepp. On 1 March, the automobile manufacturer appointed the designer as their head designer.
Rolf Schepp has been working for Carlsson on a regular basis for many years. Amongst others, he developed the style for the current CLK- (W209), S- (W220), the future E-class (W212) and the Smart Fortwo. His work can be seen especially in the front spoiler, side skirts and rear diffuser, which bear his signature. A Carlsson press release states that “he has significantly advanced the Carlsson design line. Moreover, Schepp shaped the latest Evo- and Revo-wheel generations.”
Carlsson has introduced its latest alloy wheel for the Mercedes C Class (W204), SLK, CLS, E Class and CLK models; the 1/14. It features a smart, black finish combined with a silvery surface and the 14-spoke design not only looks stylish, but makes the wheel comparatively light with no loss of strength.
The low weight means a lower unsprung mass and better driving dynamics, while another benefit of the wheel is the excellent brake ventilation, which results in improved braking performance.
The Carlsson 1/14 is available in sizes 8.5 x 19″ and 9.5 x 19″.
Carlsson wheels have always had a good reputation in the Mercedes tuning sector and the company’s latest product – the 1/11 Evo Brilliant Edition (BE) looks set to enhance this even further. Based on the successful 1/11 BE wheel, the new 22″ wheel has been developed for use on Mercedes ML, R and G class vehicles.
As well as visual impact, the 1/11 Evo BE offers greater ride comfort and considerable weight saving, says Carlsson. The distribution of the 11 spokes means that the forces acting on the wheel are transferred to the centre of the wheel, thus making thick walls unnecessary and saving weight. Grooves in the spokes save even more weight, with the result that the 1/11 Evo BE weighs 20.3 kg – over 3 kg lighter than comparable, one-piece cast aluminium wheels, with no reduction in strength.
German based specialist Carlsson has but one make of car in mind when designing a new alloy wheel, so it comes as no surprise that the company has become very good at what it does. From its headquarters in a sprawling estate once owned by an aristocratic horse breeder, the company strives to create what it calls individual cars for individualists and wheels that will create a completely new image for any Mercedes.
The newest addition to the Carlsson stable is the ‘2/11 Brilliant Edition,’ a lightweight 2-piece 22-inch wheel designed for the M and GL class 4×4 and R Class crossover “multi-activity vehicle.” Featuring an 11-spoke design and highly lustrous silver paint finish with a highly polished outer rim, the 2/11 Brilliant Edition creates a particularly energetic image when paired with low profile high-performance tyres while at the same time providing the required touch of elegance expected on a luxury vehicle. The appearance of the Carlsson wheel is distinctly different from the five-spoke variety fitted as original equipment to all three Mercedes-Benz models (and the seven-spoke factory option available on the R-Class) and offers customers an extra two inches diameter compared with the largest size factory fitted wheel.
Finland’s Marcus Gronholm dominated the 2006 Swedish rally by winning the first five of the day’s seven special stages. His nearest rival, four-times World champion Sebastien Loeb, won the remaining two to reduce Gronholm’s lead to 25.1sec. Gronholm, who drives for Ford, said after Loeb won stage six: “That was about as fast as I could go – the tyres were finished at the end – but I am enjoying this fight.”
A new European Tuning Association has been founded. VATZ (Verband Automobil Tuning/Zubehör – association of automotive tuning/accessories) held its inaugural meeting on the 15th September in Frankfurt. The association will have the task of representing the interests of the entire tuning industry, especially with regard to the legislative bodies, on a national level and international level. As a trade association, VATZ aims to represent the entire spectrum of European tuning providers.
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