Brabus Presents the World’s First Euro 6 Compliant Performance Kit for Diesel Models

Mercedes-Benz tuning specialist Brabus has presented a new ECO PowerXtra D6S performance kit for the S350 BlueTec, and by doing so, the company claims to have created the world’s first tuned diesel-powered car that meets the Euro 6 emissions standard, scheduled to go into effect in 2014. Available for both rear-while drive and 4MATIC four-wheel drive variants, the kit delivers an additional 55HP and 70 Nm (52 lb-ft) of torque, for a total of 313HP and 690 Nm (509 lb-ft).

Designed to work like a plug-and-play device, the module increases the 3.0-liter V6 diesel’s output depending on the selected shift mode of the 7G-Tronic Plus automatic transmission. In “Eco” mode, peak torque increases, but the engine output remains unchanged (258HP), while in “Manual” or “Sport” mode maximum power is also boosted.

The modified S350 sprints from standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) in a very respectable 6.5 seconds and can reach an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).

The Brabus ECO PowerXtra D6S unit can be also fitted to all Mercedes E350 CDI BlueEfficiency variants as well as the CLS 350 CDI BlueEfficiency model, delivering identical output.

All models come with a three-year or 100,000 km (62,000 miles) warranty and can be specified with a custom Brabus stainless-steel exhaust with 4 tailpipes, delivering a more distinctive exhaust note and further optimizing power yield.

By Csaba Daradics

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VIDEO: 2011 Audi A8 Commercial Mocks the Mercedes S-Class

With its new commercial for the 2011 A8, Audi of America is opening a fresh chapter in the advertisement wars. Taking inspiration from the 1947 children’s book Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, the ad portrays S-Class owners as gluttonous people with an excessive lifestyle, representing the age of “old luxury”. The 60 second clip is said to be a prelude to the upcoming Super Bowl TV spot, set to air in the first break on Super Bowl Sunday, February 6, 2011. Hit the jump to watch the video.

By Csaba Daradics

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BRABUS SV12 R Biturbo 800 Claims the Title of World’s Most Powerful Luxury Sedan

This here is the all-new Mercedes-Benz S-Class-based Brabus SV12 R Biturbo 800. With 800 hp (597 kW) and 1,047 lb-ft (1,420 Nm) on tap, the R800 sets a new milestone in the luxury segment, while dwarfing the S65 AMG in the process.

This luxo-barge-on-steroids uses the same V12 engine that originally came with the BRABUS E V12. That means that the displacement has been increased from 5.5 to 6.3 liters (336 to 385 cui), by using a special crankshaft with longer stroke, larger pistons and corresponding larger bore.

A new air intake is also used, alongside high-performance manifolds and water-to-air intercoolers.

While the engine is capable of delivering a peak torque of 1,047 lb-ft (1,420 Nm) at 2,100 rpm, for technical reasons (as in not to tear apart the transmission) it has been limited to 'just' 811 lb-ft or 1,100 Nm. Even so, the five-speed automatic transmission had to be thoroughly strengthened.

BRABUS claims that the SV12 R Biturbo 800 is also the world's fastest luxury sedan with an electronically limited(!) top speed of 217 mph (350 km/h). Breaking the 62 mph (100 km/h) "barrier" in just 3.9 seconds is no small feat either.

Naturally, the suspension, brakes and aerodynamics have been heavily modified, so that your average oligarch can safely wring every ounce of performance out of this beast.

Wheels come in three sizes, from 19 to 21 inches, and in four "flavors": three-piece forged and high-gloss polished BRABUS Monoblock VI wheels with six double spokes, multi-spoke Monoblock E wheels, Monoblock S wheels with double-spoke design and Monoblock F PLATINUM EDITION forged wheels with cross-spoke design. Pirelli or Yokohama offer the matching rubber, in sizes 265/30 (front) and 295/30 (rear).

The tour de force continues in the cabin, where countless combinations of leather or Alcantara and exclusive wood trim sets are available. The iBusiness multimedia system deserves a special note, as it's for the very first time that various Apple components have been fully integrated into the vehicle electronics of the Mercedes S-Class.

There's no information on the price yet, but surely it will match all the other specs. And who cares? If you really want the fastest opulence there is, you'll surely find a way to "has it..."

By Csaba Daradics

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Rare Sbarro Mercedes-Benz Gullwing 116 6.9 found on eBay

Swiss coachbuilder Franco Sbarro is known all over the world for its extreme production and concept cars like the wacky Autobau supercar. However, it's not often that we find the firm's creations on eBay so we were surprised to see that one of its production cars from the 1980s is up for grabs on the auction site.

The Mercedes-Benz Gullwing 116 6.9 - we're not entirely sure about the name- is a odd-looking two-door Grand Tourer with gullwing-style doors.

Even though at first it appears to be based on the 1980's Mercedes W126 coupes (420 SEC / 560 SEC etc), the different styling of the roof and window lines, the dashboard and the fact that it is powered by the 6.9-liter V8 engine (not to mention the name given by the seller) point towards a modified version of the previous W116 S-Class of the 1970s.

For the record, a quick search on the internet revealed that Sbarro built a handful of similar-looking Gullwing models that were 100% based on the W126 560 SEC in the mid 1980s.

This particular example you see here is offered for sale on eBay Motors with a starting price of US$50,000.

Link: eBay

VIDEO: 2012 Mercedes ML Prototype and AMG S-Class Pull Out CL-Class AMG Test Car from Snow Ditch

Now here's an incident that you don't get to see very often - let alone capture on film. But these spy photographers got lucky when, while they were tailing a camouflaged 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML SUV prototype on a snow covered road, the driver of the SUV led them straight to a CL-Class AMG facelift test car that was trapped in a ditch!

At first, the Mercedes-Benz team tried to pull out the CL-Class AMG coupe only with the all-wheel drive ML.

When that didn't work, they then employed the help of an S-Class AMG sedan equipped with snow chains. The combined pulling power of the two Mercs did the job. Enjoy the video after the break.

Via: Youtube / AMS

Brabus SV12 R: Tuned Mercedes-Benz S600 with 750HP Heads to Frankfurt

For Mercedes-Benz tuning specialist Brabus, there's no replacement for displacement... expect more displacement and a pair of turbos. And that's exactly what the German firm did to the facelifted Mercedes-Benz S600 that is now powered by a modified version of the 5.5-liter V12 engine with bigger turbos and an enlarged displacement of 6.3-liters producing 750HP at 5,500 rpm and an electronically limited peak torque of 1,100 Nm (811 lb-ft).

All that power is transferred to the rear wheels through a modified five-speed automatic transmission while buyers can also opt for a BRABUS locking differential.

Acceleration from standstill to 100 km/h (62mph) comes after 4.0 seconds, 200 km/h (124 mph) after only 11.9 seconds while the saloon's maximum speed is electronically limited to 340km/h or 211 mph.

The Brabus SV12R rides on 21-inch alloy wheels (available in various designs) wrapped in Pirelli or YOKOHAMA tires in size 265/30 ZR 21 up front and 295/30 ZR 21 on the rear axle.

The beefed up S600 also gets a high-performance brake system with 12-piston aluminum fixed calipers and 380 x 36-mm (15.0 x 1.42 inches) vented and cross-drilled discs at the front, and 355 x 28-mm (14.0 x 1.1 inches) discs and six-piston aluminum fixed calipers on the rear axle along with sportier suspension set-up.

Being a Brabus and all, the SV12 R receives a cosmetic upgrade with a new bodykit that includes a new front bumper with integrated LED lights, side skirts, a discreet boot lid spoiler, a new rear diffuser that also houses the quad tailpipes and side air vents.

Interior enhancements include a newly created BRABUS Yachting trim that blends maple and tropical Wenge wood and a full leather treatment in a combination of light-beige and dark-brown leather.

The Brabus SV12 R will make its world debut at next week's Frankfurt motorshow.