The sporty Brabus outfit for the SLR Roadster is dominated by Brabus Monoblock VI 20-inch wheels that fill the wheel houses perfectly. The fully polished multi-piece wheels feature six double spokes and are mounted on the sports car in size 9.5Jx20 in front and size 11.5Jx20 on the rear axle. High-performance tires in sizes 255/30 ZR 20 and 305/25 ZR 20 are supplied by Brabus technology partners Pirelli and YOKOMAMA. This low-profile tire/wheel combination is custom-tailored for the SLR coupe and roadster and benefits not only the car's appearance but also its handling.

Thus equipped the topless SLR is ready for some additional power provided by Brabus engine tuning. The power tuning for the supercharged 5.5-liter (335.5 cu. in.) engine consists of special camshafts, a fuel cooling system and a high-performance exhaust. With Brabus tuning, power output of the V8 compressor engine increases by 24 hp (23 hp SAE net) / 18 kW to 650 hp (641 hp SAE net) / 478 kW at 6,500 rpm.

Brabus also offers a special clutch-type limited-slip differential with a locking rate of 40 percent. It further optimizes traction and improves acceleration performance of the super sports car. The tuned roadster sprints to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 3.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 337 km/h (209 mph).

Precision handwork down to the last detail characterizes the exclusive Brabus interior design for the two-seater. The company-own upholstery shop specializes in fulfilling just about any request from discriminating SLR owners when it comes to customizing the interior. That includes a multitude of leather types and colors as well as custom upholstery designs.

An unusual Brabus specialty is the waffle-patterned leather carpeting in the SLR's footwells. Some 7,800 meters (25,600 feet) of the finest thread are sewn with utmost precision for it alone.
A sporty and functional Brabus option is the ergonomically shaped sport steering wheel that is flattened on the bottom for markedly easier entering and exiting of the vehicle. The steering wheel features integrated buttons for manual shifting of the SLR's automatic transmission.

Sporty Brabus carbon-fiber applications for dashboard, center console and door trim transfer the racing look of the Brabus body components into the interior. The exposed carbon-fiber trim can be color-coordinated with the leather color of the interior.

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A world-record speed of 330.6 km/h (205.2 mph) set on the high-speed test track in Nardo, Italy; Brabus added to its extensive collection of automotive records with a Maybach 57 powered by a 730-hp (720 hp SAE net) / 537-kW Brabus SV12 S Biturbo engine. It is the world�s fastest and most exclusive ultra-luxury sedan. The Brabus engineers and test drivers bested their own record set in 2005 when a Maybach 57 powered by a Brabus SV12 Biturbo engine with 640 hp (631 hp SAE net) / 471 kW was clocked at 314 km/h (195 mph).

The SV12 S Biturbo evolution of the 6.3-liter displacement engine was originally developed for the Brabus ROCKET, the four-door car based on the Mercedes CLS series. In October of 2006 it set a speed record for street-legal sedans of 365.7 km/h (227.2 mph), a record that still stands today.
For power increase of the turbocharged Maybach 12-cylinder engine from standard 550 hp (543 hp SAE net) / 405 kW to 730 hp (720 hp SAE net) / 537 kW Brabus followed its tradition of increasing engine displacement. The Brabus engineers developed a special crankshaft with longer stroke, precision-balanced piston rods and larger pistons to account for the increased cylinder bore. Displacement grows from standard 5.5 to 6.3 liters (335 to 385 cu. in.).

Custom-programmed engine electronics coordinate the perfect interaction of all high-performance components and ensure that the engine meets stringent EURO IV emission limits. The standard 250-km/h (155 mph) speed limit is also eliminated. The peak torque of 1,320 Nm (974 lb-ft) is limited by the engine electronics to 1,100 Nm (811 lb-ft).

The enormous power of the Brabus SV12 S Biturbo engine is transferred to the rear wheels via a reinforced five-speed automatic transmission. For the lubrication of the entire drive train Brabus relies exclusively on ARAL high-performance lubricants.

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For the CDI models BRABUS offers its BRABUS PowerXtra kits. They start with the D2 (III) kit that boosts power output of the C 200 CDI by 39 hp (28 hp SAE net) / 28.7 kW and bumps peak torque to 385 Nm (284 lb-ft). BRABUS D3 S tuning in the C 220 CDI model increases power output by an extra 50 hp (49 hp SAE net) / 36.8 kW to 220 hp (217 hp SAE net) / 162 kW. Peak torque is 480 Nm (354 lb-ft).

The top-of-the-line turbodiesel model C 320 CDI adds 48 hp (47 hp SAE net) / 35.3 kW with the D6 (III) power kit. Peak torque grows to 590 Nm (435 lb-ft). Thus equipped, the new V6 wagon turns into one of the liveliest diesels on the market: The sprint from 0 - 100 km/h (62 mph) takes just 6.9 seconds, top speed is 250 km/h (155 mph).

For the gasoline-powered V6 models C 280 and C 350 there is the BRABUS 4.0 displacement engine. Displacement of the V6 engine is increased with the help of a special crankshaft with longer stroke and larger cylinder bore with correspondingly larger pistons. The four-valve heads are optimized for mixture flow and fitted with custom camshafts. Newly programmed engine electronics and a stainless-steel high-performance exhaust system with metal catalysts round out the conversion.


The BRABUS 4.0 engine produces 332 hp (327 hp SAE net) / 244 kW and a peak torque of 420 Nm (310 lb-ft) at 4,200 rpm, giving the five-door excellent performance: The wagon accelerates from 0-100 km/h in just 5.9 seconds, top speed is 275 km/h (171 mph).

The BRABUS stainless-steel quad sport exhaust systems - available custom-tailored to each C-Class model with or without engine tuning - were developed to further improve power yield.

BRABUS stands behind the exceptional quality of all its products including engine tuning with the one-of-a-kind BRABUS Tuning Warranty of three years, up to 100,000 kilometers or 62,000 miles.

A major contribution to even further improved driving dynamics comes from BRABUS tire/wheel combinations with diameters of 17, 18 and 19 inches and corresponding BRABUS sport suspensions, lowering kits and sport sway bars, all custom-developed for the new wagon. The largest wheel option features BRABUS Monoblock VI, E or S light-alloy wheels in size 8.5Jx19 in front with size 235/35 ZR 19 tires. The rear axle is fitted with size 9.5Jx19 wheels and tires up to size 265/30 ZR 19.

Exclusive BRABUS interior design adds value to the new C-Class wagon as well. The product lineup includes an ergonomically shaped sport steering wheel, aluminum pedals and a speedometer with 300-km/h dial. In addition there are stainless-steel scuff plates with illuminated BRABUS logo, and precious-wood and carbon fiber trim sets.

Requests for even more customized interiors are fulfilled by the company-own upholstery shop. The upholsterers create exclusive interiors made from especially soft and breathable BRABUS Mastik leather and Alcantara, perfect down to the last detail.

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The world’s fastest rollerskate is back from spring 2008. And those mentalists at Brabus have gone and made it even faster, too – by giving it 30 per cent more power. 30 per cent! Now it warbles out 98bhp with half-a-911-timbre, reaches 62mph in 9.9secs. And goes to – whoa – 95mph.

• So it’s far more than just a tarted-up Fortwo?

Oh yes, Brabus has done a thorough job here. The rear whee larches are wider, to encompass 17-inch wheels with 225/35-section tires. They’re connected to 10mm lower suspension, with stiffer springs and dampers, and driven by a gearbox that, apparently, shifts 20 per cent faster than standard (with revised first and fifth gear ratios).
Paddles on the steering wheel mean you can avoid the idiotic semi-auto logic and keep the revs high. Lift off, and the twin Brabus exhausts pop and rasp; downshift, to enjoy it again, and the throttle’s blipped perfectly. Go back on the power and 103lb ft at 3500rpm surges you away with enough vigor to demand ‘complex surface treatment’ strengthening for the transmission shafts…

• But does the Smart Fortwo Brabus still go round corners like a pogo stick?

It’s better; they’ve completely reviewed the suspension. Hey, it now almost never terrifies you with uncontrolled hyperactivity. The biggest boost is tyres, though. At the front, there are now 16-inch 175s. Instead of the old car’s bicycle wheels.

Steering, which at last has semblance of weight, responds like no Smart’s ever done – to inputs other than just exaggerated arm waves. It still understeers ridiculously early, but the ESP is far less nannyish. Trick? Keep the throttle planted, and stability control will cut the power just enough to get round. It’s like a dynamic speed limiter. Yes, it still feels like cornering a kitchen stool. Just a less precarious one.

• You’re going to tell me it’s not cheap, aren’t you?

Ahem. £13,520? For a tiny two-seater? No wonder they’re predicting to sell handfuls. And if you want a cabrio, the £15,470 list price is higher than a 207 GTi, an Ibiza Cupra – heavens, it’s half as much again as a Panda 100HP.
You get Brabus jewelery, of course, plus excellent leather seats and a heavy metal gear shifter. Those monoblock 16/17-inch wheels are gorgeous too, and set off the body kit glued to the longer, same-but-smoother body. It’s just a pity that 54.3mpg equates to 124g/km, thus excluding it from congestion charge exemption. Bit daft for the ultimate city trinket, that. The handfuls they’re going to sell mean it probably won’t be reviewed, either.

• Verdict

The Brabus Fortwo is never going to be a sports car, and lacks the depth and subtlety of a conventional car. It’s a frenetic point ‘n squirt tool, with corners merely serving as breaks in this flow, irritations that the car would rather not encounter. Saying that, it’s been improved through them, and the steering is at least marginally encouraging.

But not so smart are the CO2 emissions and the list price. It genuinely does feel special, makes a great noise and looks so want able, but a
Mini Cooper is also iconic, handles far more like a sports car, is faster and (ostensibly) seats four. Even so, just you try not grinning when you’re behind the wheel.

• Not crazy enough for you? Or expensive enough?

Then check out the limited edition Brabus Ultimate 112.

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Let me guess…stupid amounts of power? Absolutely. In 2006 the Bottrop-based manufacturer unveiled the Rocket. Based on a Mercedes CLS, it featured the twin-turbo V12 from the S600 but bored out to 6.3 litres. Now Brabus has dropped the same engine into the new C-class to create the Bullit.

As well as the stretch in engine capacity, the V12 has new conrods, pistons and camshafts. The headline figures are 720bhp and 974lb ft. If only the gearbox could take so much torque: despite being massively modified the gearbox can only handle 811lb ft, so the engine's limited to that figure.

• So it’s quick then?

Oh yes. Sixty comes up in 3.9 seconds, and once into its stride it really goes. It takes 10.49 seconds to go from 0 to 124mph, and it can also reach 186mph in 24.5 seconds. It's a proper old school, Germanic performance saloon, then.

To make sure it stays on the ground, and that that air-hungry engine can be fed, the C-class has had a few tweaks. The front of the Bullit is made up of four gaping grilles, and at the back there’s a spoiler and diffuser. The whole body kit manages to widen the car by 6cm.
Add in adjustable suspension and 12 piston front brakes, and the Bullit will be yours for £238,500. You read that right - this is a C-class for well over the price of a Ferrari 599!

• Doesn’t Brabus also tune Smarts?

It certainly does, and as well as the official Smart Fortwo Brabus, a limited edition Smart was on display at Frankfurt.
Called the Ultimate 112, because of its PS rating (110bhp), just 112 will be built. Yours for £33,922. The less said about it the better.

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