When Ken Block, Co-Founder of DC Shoes, wanted a CLS55 AMG, no ordinary car would do for him. He decided to enlist the aid of NY based tuning house Ai Design to build a custom car complete with extensive cosmetic changes and performance upgrades by Brabus.

The exterior appearance of Block’s CLS 55 is a departure from tradition - a matte black finish has been applied to all body panels, and in contrast, the chrome trim has been finished in a glossy piano black, giving the usually sleek sedan a menacing appearance. Tail and side marker lamps have all been tinted, and a bronze-cast DC Shoes logo, hand-sculpted by a jeweler commissioned by Ai Design, has also been finished in piano black and affixed to the trunk alongside the factory emblem. The modified front bumper, carbon fiber grill, vented hood (used to keep the upgraded engine cool), side skirt panels, and trunk lid spoiler were all sourced from Brabus.

Performance upgrade began by upgrading the heart of the CLS55 using Brabus K8 engine tuning components yielding 575hp and the addition of sport exhausts. Handling has been dramatically enhanced utilizing a Brabus electronic suspension lowering module, combined with Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tires wrapped around Radenergie R10 20-inch wheels. Brembo 8-piston racing brake calipers mate to 15-inch (A.K.A pizza dish) rotors up front, while 4-piston calipers and 13.6-inch rotors have been fitted to the rear wheels. Ai Design’s V1 radar detection system with etched rearview mirror display and an iPod/MOST interface complete the package.

When Ken Block, Co-Founder of DC Shoes, wanted a CLS55 AMG, no ordinary car would do for him. He decided to enlist the aid of NY based tuning house Ai Design to build a custom car complete with extensive cosmetic changes and performance upgrades by Brabus.