Modified Mercedes turned to gold

GERMAN tuning firms are known for occasionally crossing the barriers of taste, but this latest offering from Carlsson appears to have gone into new territory.

Called the CS50 Versailles – after the Palace of Versailles that King Louis XIV turned into a opulent chateau – it’s based on the latest generation Mercedes-Benz S-Class, which is hardly a car short on luxury. But that hasn’t stopped Carlsson turning it into an automotive homage to gold.

Targeted at ultra-wealthy Chinese buyers, the CS50 takes 200 hours to put together as over 1,000 sheets of gold leaf are applied on the outside of the car using a squirrel-hair brush. Layer upon layer of clearcoat are applied on top to create the stunning finish.

On the inside a further 278 elements received the golden treatment, taking another 100 hours of work and the gold used on the interior is worth £10,000 alone. It can also be equipped with rear entertainment, a humidor for those massive cigars and full business facilities for the wealthy and demanding buyer.

Just 25 examples of the CS50 Versailles are being built and Carlsson says 10 have been sold already. They remain tight-lipped over the price, but with the cheapest standard S-Class costing £60,000, £15,000 worth of gold and 300 hours of labour, don’t expect to pay less than £100,000…

By Press Association reporters