Pardon my back...

Carlsson Aigner

Mercedes Benz CK65 RS

"Eau-Rouge" Dark Edition

Starts price: $600k

Mercedes Benz specialists Carlsson produced in an extremely limited edition run of just ten units, the luxury coupe is available as either the 'entry level' V12 twin-turbo model with 705hp (525kW) or the more expensive, higher-spec variant with 756hp (564kW). The car follows in the vein of the previous Carlsson Aigner collaboration on the S-Class. Using the Mercedes CL as a base, Carlsson began its modifications with a newly designed front end. Both the front skirt and front spoiler are made of solid carbon, and are accompanied by shaded bi-xenon headlights with cone-shaped lights and a Carlsson 'Leaping Horse' badge on the front grille. The 'Dark' edition of Carlsson's Aigner CK65 RS ‘Eau Rouge’ is only available in the two-tone paintjob seen above, comprised of metallic Obsidian black and Himalaya gray.

 With a bodykit built entirely out of carbon fibre, massive 21-inch forged three-piece rims, exclusive black and grey two-tone paint and an interior that's almost entirely trimmed in leather, alcantara and wood.

However, what's even more impressive is what lies beneath the CK65's bonnet. Carlsson has taken the CL65 AMG's twin-turbocharged 6.0 litre V12 and fiddled with the fuel and ignition timing, fitted a low-restriction air intake and a stainless steel sport exhaust system. The end result is bagloads of power. There's two states of tune available: one with a sizable 519kW and another with a mighty 556kW and a massive 1150Nm of torque. The latter is enough to propel the big Coupe to 100kph in just 3.8 seconds, while top speed is electronically limited to 335kph for (ahem) 'safety reasons'.

The Carlsson CK65 RS Eau Rouge Dark Edition (what a mouthful, huh?) with 519kW will set punters back €319,000, while the 556kW model comes with an even heftier €374,000 ($721,200 AUD) price-tag. A lot of money, yes, but sub-four second supercars, with room for four, have never come cheaply.