According to Carlsson's figures, the RS has a top speed of 187mph and a 0-62mph time of just 4.4sec.

Exterior changes include the RS aerodynamic package, which includes front and rear aprons, RS spoiler and rear wing.
It sits on height-adjustable Bilstein shock absorbers, which have nine-way adjustment for compression and rebound. Recaro seats and steering wheel are also fitted. The lightweight 16-spoke, 19in alloy wheels hide six-piston brake callipers (front) and four-piston (rear).

The whole package will cost around ΂£23,900 (based on the current euro exchange rate). However, that excludes the ΂£58,890 price of a new CLK55 AMG. Even so, the Carlsson looks like something of a bargain compared with Mercedes' own extreme CLK, the race-inspired ΂£180,000 CLK-DTM (News, 069).

For more information, visit www.carlsson.de