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Larte Design's Mercedes-Benz GL-Class Has Joined the Dark Side

Known primarily for creating bodykits only for Land Rover and Infiniti SUVs, the Russians from Larte Design recently unveiled a monstrous bodykit for the largest luxury SUV in the Mercedes-Benz range, the gargantuan GL-Class.
Mercedes-Benz GL-Class by Larte Design 16 photos
Photo: Larte Design
Mercedes-Benz GL-Class by Larte DesignMercedes-Benz GL-Class by Larte DesignMercedes-Benz GL-Class by Larte DesignMercedes-Benz GL-Class by Larte DesignMercedes-Benz GL-Class by Larte DesignMercedes-Benz GL-Class by Larte DesignMercedes-Benz GL-Class by Larte DesignMercedes-Benz GL-Class by Larte DesignMercedes-Benz GL-Class by Larte DesignMercedes-Benz GL-Class by Larte DesignMercedes-Benz GL-Class by Larte DesignMercedes-Benz GL-Class by Larte DesignMercedes-Benz GL-Class by Larte DesignMercedes-Benz GL-Class by Larte DesignMercedes-Benz GL-Class by Larte Design
While certain design elements present on the new “Black Crystal” bodykit are bound to stir some both pleasant and unpleasant emotions in some people upon seeing it, as it did with some of us, the fact that it draws attention like a magnet is unequivocal.

Even though Larte Design says that the overall design was based on the mirror symmetry of crystals, the dark overall look makes us think more of what something Darth Vader would probably drive if the Star Wars story would have taken place in present times.

As you can see, the car is even more imposing than when fitted with an AMG bodykit now, with the front sporting an all-new engine grille and a rectangular bumper which are about as aggressive as they get.

The rear of the car is at least as imposing, with an all-new bumper with a central F1-like LED brake light, an integrated aerodynamic diffuser that is probably useless from a technical point of view and a pair of quad exhaust tips.

The sides haven't be forgotten either, with a pair of side skirts, oversized wheel arches and a set of 22-inch light-alloy wheels with angular double spokes completing the exterior look.

As far as the engine goes, this is no GL 63 AMG sadly, but a more earthly GL 350 BlueTec. Thankfully, Larte Design didn't leave it alone, and thanks to some tinkering with the ECU, the three-liter turbocharged V6 diesel develops 290 hp and 690 Nm (509 lb ft) of torque.
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About the author: Alex Oagana
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Alex handled his first real steering wheel at the age of five (on a field) and started practicing "Scandinavian Flicks" at 14 (on non-public gravel roads). Following his time at the University of Journalism, he landed his first real job at the local franchise of Top Gear magazine a few years before Mircea (Panait). Not long after, Alex entered the New Media realm with the autoevolution.com project.
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