- Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Convertibles, Euro, Mercedes-Benz, Brabus
Click above for a high-res gallery of the BRABUS SL
"BRABUS" might as well be German for, "Hey, why not?" This would seem to be the question its engineers ask themselves before they stuff ludicrous amounts of power under the hoods of Mercedes-Benz cars and trucks. This behavior is well-documented, and it continues unabated with the arrival of MB's new SL. Full wheel/tire, interior, and styling packages are a given. Backing up those enhanced looks is an assortment of tuning packages capable of providing more power than even Montgomery Scott could ever plead for.
The SV12 S Biturbo engine swap appears to have been created by someone with a severe, pathological hatred for tires. This is the same engine used in the Brabus Bullit, and it dishes out a predictably ridiculous 720 horsepower and 973 lb-ft of torque. The latter number is electronically restrained to a mere 811 lb-ft., and a top speed of well over 200 mph comes with the territory. Not interested in the full swap? No worries, BRABUS has your back. SL 65 AMG drivers can opt for the T 65 S package, which bumps the stock V12 Biturbo to 705 hp/811 lb-ft. There's a solution for the all-motor SL 63 AMG as well that packs on an additional 40 horses over stock. This pattern continues right on down the line -- even the "lowly" V6-powered cars can be tuned to deliver 327 hp/ 310 lb-ft. Bonkers. Er, BRABUS, rather.
[Source: BRABUS]Continue reading BRABUS tunes new Mercedes-Benz SL to reliably insane levels
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- Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Sedans/Saloons, Geneva Motor Show, Brabus
Click the image above for more hi-res shots of the Brabus Black Arrow in matte and siblings
We had Brabus for breakfast here in Geneva, and it is hereby declared the Breakfast of (Obscenely Wealthy) Champions. The Bullitt Black Sheep Arrow in matte -- what else -- black, sat brooding near its pure white and red siblings, the Brabus SLR Roadster and matching Ultimate 112. And is there really any better way to start the day than with a combined €1,083,000 bowl of 1,482-HP goodness? We didn't think so. Beats a double espresso. Check out the full gallery of live shots below.
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- Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Sedans/Saloons, Sports/GTs, Geneva Motor Show, Euro, Supercars, Mercedes-Benz, Brabus
Click above for high-res gallery of the BRABUS Bullit Black Arrow
At its Frankfurt introduction last year, the BRABUS Bullit was positioned as the tuner's ultimate "sleeper." Painted a fairly standard-looking gray with subdued black wheels and carbon-fiber accents, the Bullit did differ from some of BRABUS' more wildly extroverted vehicles, which scream "SUPER TUNER! LOOK AT ME!" That's not to say that the Bullit doesn't have the creds, though -- a 720-horsepower twin-turbo V12 with torque electronically limited to 811 lb-ft will certainly get the job done. (Sans the electronic safety net, it produces 974 lb-ft, in case you were wondering. Tires become one with the ozone layer at the mere thought of this.)
For Geneva this year, BRABUS is bringing the Bullitt Black Arrow. What's different about it? Not much, except that its matte black finish transforms it from "sleeper" to outright "stealth fighter." You can almost imagine the finish absorbing police radar and dissipating it as the Bullit screams past Johnny Law at 224 mph. Time to call in the chopper, officer -- you're not catching this one on four wheels. Still, in the end, the Black Arrow is essentially just a paint package for an already super-mega-double-secret-handshake special edition tuner car. And it's got a price to match -- €348,000 (same as the regular Bullit).
[Source: BRABUS]Continue reading Matte Missile: BRABUS Bullit Black Arrow to attack Geneva
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- Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Convertibles, Economy, Sports/GTs, Geneva Motor Show, Euro, Supercars, Mercedes-Benz, SMART, Brabus
Click image for a hi-res gallery of the Brabus SLR and its tender
Megayachts usually come with fancy tenders, so why not supercars, too? BRABUS has taken the idea and run with it, pairing one of its tuned McLaren SLR Roadsters with a matching runabout in the form of a smart fortwo-based ULTIMATE 112. The SLR is the beneficiary of the usual complement of upgrades, including a full body and trim kit (dig those carbon fiber replacement "gills"), a custom interior, and the requisite underhood tweaking, which bestows the roadster with 650 horsepower -- enough to make the Kessel run to 62 mph in 3.6 seconds, with a top end of 211 mph.
When its time to park the super-Merc and head into more constrained areas of the city, it's occupants can switch over to the car's ULTIMATE 112 "tender" which is finished and appointed to perfectly match its "mothership." In this case, that means the same white paint, deep red roof fabric, and right red leather interior -- right down to the waffle-patterned leather footwell trim. Of course, the little shuttlecraft gets a power bump as well, with 112 thundering horses prancing ponies under the wee bonnet. The cost of this matching set? A mere €699,000 gets the job done for owners of either an SLR or a Maybach, and it shows us that BRABUS is uniquely capable of finding new and innovative ways to separate the obscenely wealthy from large chunks of their money.
The BRABUS press release gets into the minutiae after the jump.
[Source: BRABUS]Continue reading Roadster & Toaster: BRABUS SLR with ULTIMATE 112 "tender"
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- Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Economy, SMART, Brabus
With all the hype surrounding the imminent sale of smart fortwos beginning next month here in the U.S., we overlooked a line on the smart's website that may hint at some hotted-up versions of the diminutive coupe. Although the model will initially be introduced with 1.0-liter three-pot, "Other engine types and sizes (including BRABUS) may become available in the next few years though no specific timeline has been outlined." What size engines they're referring to is up in the air, but if smart begins selling factory-authorized Brabus accessories - particularly the tuner's engine packages - it might open up a whole other demographic to the smart's growing fan base.
[Source: smart USA]
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- Filed under: Aftermarket, Sedans/Saloons, Maybach, MINI, Brabus
Click on the images to view in high-speed and high-resolution
Remember the Maybach Exelero? The ultra-premium marque from Merceceds-Benz built it almost two years ago as a high-speed test vehicle based on its Maybach 57 luxury sedan, but unfortunately never offered production versions to the public. To the rescue comes Brabus, those whacky German tuners who give the go-fast treatment to everything produced by the three-pointed star, from the Smart ForTwo all the way up to this 730-hp limousine.
Like the Exelero, Brabus' monster is based on the Maybach 57 and was built in order to achieve the highest speeds attainable. To get there, Brabus tuned the Maybach's twin-turbo V12 to the same standard as the CLS-based Brabus Rocket speed record car: that means boosting power from 550 hp to 730, thanks to an increase in displacement from 5.5 liters to 6.3, coupled with a new crankshaft, pistons, cylinder heads... the works. The turbos were beefed up, and along with the intercoolers, a custom exhaust was installed and the ECU was reprogrammed.
The result is a top speed of 330.2 km/h (205.2 mph in American speak) achieved at the same Nardo test track in Italy where the Exelero was put through its places. A far cry from the 218.4 mph achieved by the Exelero, but not to shabby in its own right. And here you thought the S versions of the Maybach 57 and 62 were obscene enough....
Check out the images in the gallery below, and the press release after the jump.
[Source: Brabus]
Continue reading Brabus builds its own Exelero, hits 205 mph at Nardo
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- Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Auto Show, Podcasts, Coupes, Sports/GTs, Crossovers/CUVs, Aston Martin, Bentley, BMW, Bugatti, Dodge, Ford, GM, Jaguar, Lamborghini, Mercedes-Benz, MINI, PSA, Volkswagen, Volvo, Renault, Brabus
We're back with Autoblog Podcast #77, and it's a Frankfurt-recap extravaganza. We discuss our favorite picks, as well as touching on some of the numerous highlights from the monster-sized show. We got a glimpse of the Jaguar XF in person, and it's better in person, but can it save Jaguar? BMW unveiled the X6, it's own AMC Spirit ripoff, not to be left behind by the Audi Cross Coupe Quattro from Shanghai. We continue on about exotic sheetmetal from Brabus, Schnitzer, Bentley, and Aston Martin, to name a few. On the more mundane tip, the Mazda 6 rocked, the Aveo was ugly, the Journey landed on its face, and could we please, please knock it off with the front quarter panel vents? After Alex's speed-round wrapup, we discuss a solitary piece of non-Frankfurt news, the Jeep J8. Yes, it's awesome, no, you can't buy one. Damn, that's stupid, Chrysler. Onward!
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- Filed under: Aftermarket, Frankfurt Auto Show, Tuners, Economy, Hatchbacks, SMART, Brabus
Click the image above for a gallery of live and press shots of the BRABUS Ultimate 112.
Sure it's €45,900, but what better commuter companion could you have if you want to keep your BRABUS Bullit within the safe confines of your garage? BRABUS smart fortwo cabrio-based Ultimate 112 lives up to its lofty moniker with 112 metric horses (110 HP) sending power to 18-inch rollers, controlled by the standard flappy paddle gearbox. Upping the available grip of the tangerine city schlepper are a set of BRABUS coilovers, with 235/35 R 18 high-performance tires out back and 205s keeping things sticky in front.
All the details can be found in our previous post, and be sure to check out our live images in the gallery below.
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- Filed under: Aftermarket, Frankfurt Auto Show, Tuners, Sedans/Saloons, Mercedes-Benz, Brabus
Click the pic above for more high-res shots of the BRABUS Bullit.
The term "sleeper" isn't quite accurate when referring to the BRABUS Bullit. It has presence, with an air of understated brutality. The aero mods speak volumes about its predilection for sinister speed, and the V12 emblems flanking the sides only tell half the story. Housed within the engine bay is BRABUS' own SV12 Biturbo mill, producing 720 HP and an electronically governed 811 lb.-ft. of torque (974 lb.-ft. of twist would be available if it wouldn't tear apart the rear diff and liquify the tires). On your way up to the 224 MPH top speed, you'll pass 62 MPH in just under four seconds, and if you want all the details, you can read through our initial post here and check out our high-res pics in the gallery below.
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- Filed under: Frankfurt Auto Show, Convertibles, Economy, Euro, SMART, Brabus
Click image for high-res gallery
On tap for introduction in Frankfurt is the BRABUS ULTIMATE 112, based on the open-air smart fortwo. Sporting 112 metric horsepower (PS) from the turbo-3 underhood, and limited to 112 units total, you don't exactly need a detective's shield to figure out where the car's naming scheme comes from. All 112 rides are finished in the metallic/pearlescent orange you see above and are trimmed out in full-dress BRABUS Widestar bodywork and the always good-looking Monoblock VI wheels. Inside, orange trim adorns the seats and instrument panel. Want one? Well, you need to live in Europe. Assuming you've got that covered, simply fork over €45,900 (!) and you're in. Exactly what you're in after dropping 45K Euros on a smart is a separate discussion. A mental institution, perhaps?
[Source: BRABUS]
Continue reading Frankfurt Preview: BRABUS Ultimate 112
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- Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Auto Show, Sedans/Saloons, Euro, Dodge, Brabus
Click image for hi-res gallery
The STARTECH Starster is a Dodge Avenger-based concept prepared by BRABUS' Chrysler-tuning division for the Frankfurt Motor Show. In some respects, STARTECH's herculean effort succeeds. In others, not so much. We like the shaved door handles, as the convergence of shapes and curves at he rear door now looks muscular instead of simply cluttered. The big black wheels in the flared fenders are pretty mean-looking, too. On the flip side, the LED crosshairs in the Mustang-looking headlights are just weird, and that replacement front grille looks pretty lame, particularly the blacked-out elements in the middle. That taillamp/trim insert across the rear? More "cheesy aftermarket" than "respected tuner" if you ask us. Lastly, the whole orange-trim thing is just about played out. The tuner segment needs to fall in love with a new color.
The functional hood scoop (how novel!) feeds a 335-horsepower 2.4L turbo connected to a 5-speed manual. The 0-62 sprint takes 5.6 seconds, and this Avenger keeps going all the way up to 165 mph. The ultra-garish, full-leather interior (complete with quilted floormats) is an assault on the senses (and one's taste), yet it's still an improvement over the horribly bland, overly plastic stock interior. We can't wait to hear what Autoblog's Frankfurt posse thinks of this one when they see it in person.
Until then, you can read STARTECH's full press release after the jump.
[Source: STARTECH]
Continue reading Frankfurt Preview: 335 HP Dodge Avenger-based STARTECH Starster
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- Filed under: Frankfurt Auto Show, Sedans/Saloons, Sports/GTs, Euro, Supercars, Mercedes-Benz, Brabus
Click image for high-res gallery
Last month, BRABUS teased everyone with a photo of a covered vehicle they said would be the ultimate "wolf in sheep's clothing." Today, they officially announced what that vehicle is. Say hello to the BRABUS Bullit, a Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan that is the beneficiary of the utterly monstrous BRABUS SV12 S Biturbo engine transplant. Put plainly, that makes this rather understated-looking (for BRABUS, at least) sedan one of the fastest cars in the world, period.
Power from the twin-turbocharged V12 is a staggering 720 horses and an even more mind-numbing 974 lb-ft of torque. For the sake of tractability, BRABUS electronically limits the peak available torque at "only" 811 lb-ft. Still, you'd better have a substantial tire budget set aside, as you'll (literally) be burning through it very quickly. A heavily-modified 5-speed automatic with a BRABUS locking rear differential sends power rearward. Two different final drive ratios are offered, as well -- 2.65:1 or 2.24:1. Naturally, the exhaust, suspension and brakes are all modified as well.
Performance numbers are blistering: 0-62 in 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 224 mph. If have €348,000 handy (and you live in Europe), you can consider yourself to be in the market for one. For complete details and specs on the Bullit, just follow the jump.
[Source: BRABUS]
Continue reading Frankfurt Preview: 720 HP/974 lb-ft BRABUS Bullit!
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- Filed under: Tuners, Sedans/Saloons, Euro, Mercedes-Benz, Brabus
Click image for gallery
BRABUS has announced its D3 S POWER XTRA tuning kit for Mercedes-Benz's new C220 CDI sedan. The Euro-market oil-burner sees a marked improvement in performance after installation, with power jumping from 168 hp/295 lb-ft to 217 horses and a stout 354 lb-ft of torque. On the road, this shaves a full second off the run to 100 km/h (62 mph), which takes 7.8 seconds post-modification. The car's top speed increases to 149 mph, a 6 mph gain. Despite the added performance, emissions remain at the same Euro IV-compliant levels as the factory-stock C220 CDI. Installation can be performed at any Mercedes-Benz dealer's service department. Naturally, BRABUS would love for buyers of the power kit to pony up for additional accessories like the tuner's sport exhaust and bodywork modifications, but they're certainly not required.
Follow the jump for BRABUS' full press release.
[Source: BRABUS]
Continue reading BRABUS punches up the Mercedes-Benz C220 CDI
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- Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Economy, Euro, SMART, Brabus
It's been a while since we last spoke of smart's BRABUS-massaged microcars, but the time has come to officially launch the next generation of the potent pint-sized people movers, and it may have been worth the wait for the fortwo BRABUS and Fortwo BRABUS Xclusive.
Beginning with the base turbocharged three-cylinder motor, BRABUS tweaks output to 98 HP and 103 lb.-ft. of torque, allowing the oddly-shaped coupe to reach 60 in a hair under ten seconds. While that 0-60 run might not be impressive, it's important to note that the fortwo does all that while returning over 45 MPG (U.S.).
The exterior benefits from wider rear wheel arches, a center mounted dual exhaust and 16-inch wheels up front, with 17s residing out back. Suspension changes result in a vehicle that's ten millimeters lower than its stock counterpart, while inside BRABUS throws in a new steering wheel, instruments and pedals. the step-up fortwo BRABUS Xclisive adds a monochrome paint scheme, additional bodywork modifications, projector beam headlamps, heated leather seats, and a leather-look IP. All the standard smart colors are available.
You can read all about the options by making the jump for the full press release from smart.
[Source: smart]
Gallery: smart fortwo Brabus and Brabus Xclusive
Continue reading Bad in the best way: smart launches fortwo BRABUS
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- Filed under: Frankfurt Auto Show, Tuners, Brabus
2007 marks the 30th year of operation for Mercedes-Benz ultra-tuner, Brabus. The company's vehicles are gleeful forays into the outer limits of street-legal power. Clearly, somewhere in Bottrop, lab-coated engineers are trying to find a way bend the space/time continuum via the use of tuned V8 and V12 combustion engines.
And we love them for it.
Now, the thing with BRABUS is that oftentimes, its creations have heavy visual modifications to go along with the monsters that live under their bonnets. So, in a move away from standard procedure, the company's newest creation will be more in the mold of a sleeper. Brabus says it will unveil a "wolf in sheep's clothing" at the upcoming IAA in Frankfurt. You might argue that AMG already does this in-house. Who cares. If BRABUS wants to show us how it does a sleeper, we're all eyes and ears. If the picture above is an actual hint, we think it's going to be a stockish-looking C-Class with utterly obscene power. More to come from Frankfurt, and we're looking forward to it.
PR after the jump
[Source: BRABUS]Continue reading BRABUS turns 30: Sleeper to be unveiled in Frankfurt
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Archive for the 'BRABUS' Category
Thursday, May 25th, 2006
Details info: Alternative names:
Limousine 4d
(Maybach 57)
(2005 - )
Brabus Maybach 57-62 Maybach 57
Sales Company:
Available version:
SV 12 Biturbo - 6.3 V12 36v Biturbo aut.
Previous version:
Variation:
Info:
Donors:
Maybach - 57
Maybach - 62
Donors:
Maybach - 57 Limousine 4d
Posted in BRABUS | No Comments »
Thursday, May 25th, 2006
Details info: Alternative names:
Brabus Mercedes A-class (W168)
Sales Company:
Available version:
Previous version:
Variation:
Info: Engine Tuning:
A-class
A140 – BRABUS A1 tuning kit, 70kW,
A160 – BRABUS A2 tuning kit, 82kW,
A170 CDI until 03/2001 – BRABUS D1 tuning kit, 85kW, 230Nm/1580-3500rmp, with AKS gearbox or automatic transmission,
A170 CDI – BRABUS D1 (II) tuning kit, 88kW, 230Nm/1580-3500rmp, with AKS gearbox or automatic transmission,
A190 – BRABUS 2.2, 114kW, 215Nm/4200rmp,
Donors:
Posted in BRABUS | No Comments »
