The Mansory Speranza proves that money can buy taste and good sense...

Tue, 05 Mar 2013

...Just kidding.

No one in their right mind has ever accused German tuners Mansory of being subtle. So, when our Geneva team wandered across the Mansory Speranza – A Mercedes-Benz Gelandewagen that has been denuded of its roof and spackled inside with quilted leather and red carbon fiber – they didn't ask a lot of existential questions. Why does the Speranza exist? Because Germans are weird sometimes, that's why.

Forget for a moment that you'll have to pay Mansory hundreds of thousands of euros (we're guessing, no pricing information has been revealed) for the privilege of converting your G-Class into something that looks like a Suzuki Samurai, and prepare to be impressed by the details. The tuning house has increased the output of the Mercedes V8 to a healthy 700 horsepower and 668 pound-feet of torque. The wheels are 24-inches, and wear almost unbelievable 305-section ultra-high performance Vresdestein tires. Carbon fiber can be found nearly everywhere one looks, including making up the housing for the spare tire. Oh, and there are leather pillows for the backseats... no word on whether they're standard or optional, but we're looking in to it.

Quench your ghoulish curiosity about the Mansory Speranza below, with a satisfying gallery of images from the show floor, as well as the official press release. Nothing in the press release covers why Mansory has used "Speranza," the Italian word for "hope" as the name of this beastie, however. Our best guess is that when you see it for the firsts time, you're overcome with a sincere hope that it not run you over (feel free to guess for yourself, in comments).

WORLD PREMIERE

83rd International Motor Show Geneva

MANSORY SPERANZA

The all-terrain model variety for sun-worshippers

MANSORY is a world renowned specialist, when it comes to the exclusive refinement of luxury automobiles. And with the refinement program MANSORY SPERANZA, based on the Mercedes-Benz G 500 model the company from Brand near Bayreuth in Germany once again recommends itself as the premier address for sporty accessories and exciting styling. Firm owner Kourosh Mansory has expanded his existing refinement program to the five-door long versions of the G 63 AMG and G 65 AMG with the three-door MANSORY SPERANZA Cabrio.

The self-confident design of the exterior alone makes the MANSORY Cabriolet look like a real eye-catcher in the uniform streets. Perfectly finished wings made from ultra-light carbon fibre broaden the body shape by 20 millimetres and characterise the masculine look of the aerodynamics. It is matched by the stylishly coordinated components of the front bumper with the integrated LED daytime running lights and the carbon fibre bonnet.

The proprietary developed main headlights are also the centrepiece of the new MANSORY Lightelements design, which give the SPERANZA a completely self- contained look. In addition to the elegant design of the lights this also includes clever solutions like the hidden indicators. These no longer squat clumsily on the wings, but are now embedded in the nine pinhead-size recesses underneath the headlights.

The new width, amongst others, is responsible for the self-assured appearance of the SPERANZA Cabrio. Thanks to the wider wings and the side skirts the G model has grown by 20 mm in width. The wheel arches which have been stretched to the side are filled by forged wheels, which celebrate their world premier in the GRONOS. The rims with the ten twin spokes measure 24 inches, which are coated in ultra-high- performance 305/35 Vredestein Ultrac Vorti tyres. At the back the rear spoiler in a new design and of course the spare wheel cover made of carbon fibre round off the transformation of the SPERANZA Cabrio.

As sporty as the conversions of MANSORY look, they also offer a lot under the bonnet. For this MANSORY has completely reworked the eight-cylinder engine of the G 500 and installed genuine motor racing components. Engine pistons, connecting rods, rod bearings, crankshaft, crank, the cylinder head and many other parts now meet the high demands of Kourosh Mansory. Together with the newly designed exhaust system from the manifold right up to the double stainless steel tailpipes, which poke out before the rear wheels, resulting in superior performance characteristics. Instead of 385 hp (285 kW) the SPERANZA Cabriolet achieves an impressive 700 hp (515 kW), while the maximum electronically-limited torque increases to 900 Nm.

The exclusive exterior, is of course not inferior in any way to the interior styling. MANSORY's upholsterer only allows pristine leather to cover the interior. The perfect finished hides are distinguished both by their durability as well as by their particularly pleasing look. The exquisite overall impression of the sports steering wheel with airbag and aluminium pedals has been refined.

MANSORY Design & Holding GmbH exclusively offers their own specially developed modification accessories. It does not trade in complete vehicles and also does not offer these for sale.

For more information about the exclusive programme for Mercedes-Benz, please visit the web site www.mansory.com

By Seyth Miersma