Mercedes Brabus Review
We are almost out of words with which to describe the ferocious vehicles created by German übertuner BRABUS, but since it continues to pump out wonderful new toys, we must soldier on and communicate the good news from Bottrop. The arrival of the new Mercedes-Benz CL-Class is now supplemented by Brabus' announcement of a tuning program for the car.
The details are familiar by now, but that doesn't make them any less impressive. For the CL 500, Brabus offers a tuning kit that boosts output to 419 horses, and for the more adventurous, a 6.1L engine upgrade that brings 462 ponies to the party. This is all well and good, but the big fun is reserved for the CL 600, which receives the Brabus 6.3L SV12 S Biturbo replacement engine. Its 730 horsepower is enough to make even the forthcoming CL 63 AMG weep. Tires will be happy to know that torque is electronically limited to just 738 lb-ft. That should enable them to last hours instead of mere minutes. A high-performance brake system is available to bring it all to a rest.
As is the case with every Brabus automobile, a full, tasteful aero kit is offered, complete with detail touches like integrated entrance/approach lights that make loading up and getting into the car at night a bit more pleasant. A lowered sport suspension, new wheels and tires, and a new exhaust system round out the technical improvements. In terms of creature comforts, Brabus will customize the interior to the buyer's taste (good or bad).
Luxury Class Information
Mercedes Brabus CLS 6.1 S5 Photos
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Mercedes Brabus CLS 6.1 Highlights
BRABUS offers an exclusive tuning program for the four-door coupe. A BRABUS increased-displacement engine for the CLS 350 is currently under development. Three levels of performance tuning are available for the naturally aspirated V8 engine of the CLS 500: The BRABUS B 11 engine tuning increases power output from standard 306 hp / 225 kw to 336 hp / 247 kW. In addition there are two 6.1-liter increased-displacement engines, the most powerful of which, the BRABUS 6.1 S, produces 445 hp / 327 kW at 6,000 rpm, with a peak torque of 635 Nm.
With BRABUS K8 tuning power output of the CLS 55’s 5.5-liter supercharged V8 engine jumps from standard 476 hp / 350 kW to 530 hp / 390 kW at 6,400 rpm. Peak torque grows to 775 Nm at just 3,000 rpm. After the BRABUS power infusion the CLS 55 sprints to 100 km/h in just 4.3 seconds and passes the 200-km/h mark after exactly 13.6 seconds on its way to an electronically limited top speed of 310 km/h.
All BRABUS engines, transmissions and differentials are operated with ARAL high-performance lubricants. The enormous potential power of the BRABUS high-performance engines can be transferred to the road surface with the help of the BRABUS self-locking differential with 40 percent slip. Fully stainless steel BRABUS sport exhaust systems with four tailpipes are available for all CLS engines. The precisely calibrated exhaust systems optimize power yield and produce a more powerful engine sound.