designo special-edition Mercedes-Benz CLK 500 Cabriolet: Giorgio Armani receives a Mercedes Benz bearing his very own design signature
In his capacity as Chairman and Chief Executive of Giorgio Armani S.p.A., renowned Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani received a Mercedes-Benz CLK 500 Cabriolet bearing his own personalised design signature yesterday. The "Mercedes-Benz CLK designo by Giorgio Armani" is an enticing blend of refinement and sporty, masculine aesthetics. Finished in a unique matt sand colour – a classic Armani trademark – the bodywork perfectly matches the high-quality materials used in the interior, creating a truly exclusive aura. Mercedes-Benz is offering only 100 units of this exceptional vehicle as part of its exclusive designo range. Originally introduced ten years ago, the designo range allows discerning customers to personalise their Mercedes-Benz using a selection of exclusive material and paint finish options.
"I was delighted to see how Mercedes-Benz turned my design ideas into reality with such attention to detail", said Giorgio Armani as Count Burghard Vitzthum – Head of Alternative Communications Mercedes-Benz passenger cars – handed him the keys to his own limited-edition Mercedes-Benz CLK designo by Giorgio Armani. "This car represents the quite exceptional coming together of two unmistakable design philosophies which aspire to the same ambitious aims", said Count Burghard Vitzthum in his praise of the Giorgio Armani-inspired Mercedes-Benz.
The collaboration between Stuttgart-based Mercedes-Benz and the Milanese fashion designer began with a showcar that captivated the public's imagination when it was unveiled at the Milan Fashion Week in autumn 2003. Encouraged by this response – and based on a shared design philosophy that attaches value to style, elegance, high quality and timelessness – Giorgio Armani worked closely with the DaimlerChrysler Advanced Design Centre in Como, northern Italy, to create a Mercedes-Benz CLK 500 Cabriolet bearing his inimitable design signature. Deliveries of the 100 limited-edition models started in May 2005.
The unique "sabbia" matt paint – a warm sand tone developed by Mercedes-Benz designo exclusively for the Mercedes-Benz CLK designo by Giorgio Armani – clings enticingly to the sculpted torso of the Cabriolet. High-gloss black decorative elements add an extra touch. Meanwhile the colour of the roof covering was carefully chosen to complement the body of the high-class limited-edition series. In addition, AMG styling features and 18-inch AMG light-alloy wheels in the vehicle colour, topped off by a high-gloss finish, further enhance the visual appeal of the open-top model.
The interior – dominated by classic, meticulously prepared designo brown leather and high-tech textiles – harmonises with the colour of the exterior paint, while all of the chrome trim elements have a high-quality matt "aged" look.
The Mercedes-Benz CLK designo by Giorgio Armani is based on the CLK 500 Cabriolet. Its V8 engine develops 225 kW/306 hp and, in combination with the finely tuned chassis, ensures open-air driving pleasure as well as the ultimate in ride comfort for four passengers. A high degree of occupant safety is provided by the high-strength body structure, automatic roll-over protection, head/thorax sidebags as standard equipment, rear sidebags, adaptive front airbags, seat-belt tensioners at all seats and a sensor-controlled roll-over bar.
In line with its high standards, the Armani-style CLK Cabriolet also leaves almost nothing to be desired in terms of equipment. Items the Italian fashion guru will find fitted as standard in his new, exclusive open-top Mercedes-Benz include the THERMOTRONIC luxury automatic climate control system with solar sensor, a stereo surround-sound system with ten speakers and an 8 x 40 watt amplifier, heated seats, electric front seat adjustment with memory function, Headlamp Assist, PARKTRONIC, a rain sensor for the windscreen wipers and cruise control with SPEEDTRONIC.
