BRABUS tunes new Mercedes-Benz SL to reliably insane levels
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.
Gallery: 2009 BRABUS SL
[Source: BRABUS]
PRESS RELEASE:
Up to 730 hp (720 hp SAE net) / 537 kW of Power, 1,320 Nm (973 lb-ft) of Torque and a Top Speed of 350 km/h (219 mph):
The Exclusive BRABUS Sport Program for the New SL-Class
Rejuvenated by a substantial model update the fifth generation of the Mercedes SL now starts yet another chapter in the unparalleled success story of the popular Mercedes roadster. The corresponding exclusive sport program comes from BRABUS. Powerful increased-displacement engines with up to 730 hp (720 hp SAE net) / 537 kW of power, a striking designer suit, high-quality light-alloy wheels with diameters of up to 20 inches, professional suspension tuning and custom interior design: The BRABUS program leaves nothing to be desired.
The top-of-the-heap BRABUS power source for the SL 600 is the BRABUS SV12 S Biturbo engine, developed originally for the BRABUS ROCKET, the world's fastest sedan. 730 hp (720 hp SAE net) / 537 kW of power and a whopping peak torque of 1,320 Nm (973 lb-ft), electronically limited in the car to 1,100 Nm (811 lb-ft), are the result of numerous modifications. During the displacement increase from 5.5 to 6.3 liters the engine's interior is completely reworked. In addition the engine is fitted with a more efficient turbocharging system and a stainless-steel high-performance exhaust system with metal catalysts. Power is transferred via a reinforced five-speed automatic transmission and a special BRABUS limited-slip differential that is available for all SL models.
A sprint time of 4.0 seconds from rest to 100 km/h (62 mph), 10.5 seconds to 200 km/h (124 mph) and – depending on final drive ratio and tire speed rating – an electronically limited top speed of 350 km/h (219 mph) make the BRABUS SV12 S Biturbo roadster one of the world's fastest sports cars.
BRABUS tuning is also available for the SL 65: The BRABUS T 12 S performance kit increases power output by 40 hp (DIN and SAE net) / 29.4 kW. The BRABUS T 65 S power kit bumps power output to 715 hp (705 hp SAE net) / 526 kW and peak torque to 1,100 Nm (811 lb-ft).
The SL 63 AMG also receives some added power with BRABUS B63 S tuning. Sport air filter, high-performance metal catalysts and newly programmed engine electronics add 40 hp (DIN and SAE net) 29.5 kW to the power output of the fast-revving V8 engine, and increase top speed to 320 km/h (200 mph).
The four-valve-V8 engine of the SL 500 (US: SL550) with BRABUS 6.1 S displacement increase produces 462 hp (456 hp SAE net) / 340 kW of power at 6,200 rpm and a peak torque of 615 Nm (453 lb-ft) at 3,100 rpm. The BRABUS 4.0 displacement engine with 332 hp (327 hp SAE net) / 244 kW of power and 420 Nm (310 lb-ft) of torque is available for the V6 four-valve engines of the SL 280 and SL 350.
The stainless-steel BRABUS sport exhaust system with four chrome-plated tailpipes is a must for all BRABUS high-performance engines. But it is also the answer for all SL owners wishing for a sportier exhaust note and for a more striking rear appearance of their two-seater.
To add sporty emphasis to the elegant lines of the new Mercedes SL series, the BRABUS designers went into the wind tunnel to develop a strikingly styled aerodynamic-enhancement kit.
The front of the SL receives some added pizzazz with the BRABUS front apron that replaces the production bumper. It features LED daytime running lights as well as auxiliary high beams and fog lamps, and reduces lift on the front axle at high speeds.
The elegantly shaped BRABUS rocker panels each have three entrance lights integrated into their underside. The lights are activated with the keyless fob or by pulling on an inside door handle. The LED lights illuminate the ground on either side of the vehicle and help avoid unfortunate missteps into puddles or holes in the dark.
The BRABUS design package for the latest SL-class is rounded out by a rear component that integrates environmental lighting, a centrally mounted rear reflector and two cutouts for the sport exhaust system.
Just as important for a customized look are one-piece and multi-piece BRABUS Monoblock light-alloy wheels, which can be mounted on the new roadster in four different designs and with diameters of 17, 18, 19 and 20 inches. The largest possible tire/wheel combination on the new SL features BRABUS Monoblock VI, E or S wheels in size 9Jx20 in front with size 255/30 ZR 20 tires. The rear axle rolls on size 10.5Jx20 wheels with size 305/25 ZR 20 tires. BRABUS recommends high-performance tires from Pirelli and YOKOHAMA.
To further improve the already potent handling capabilities of the new Mercedes SL, BRABUS has developed special suspension solutions. For the SL 280 and 350 models with conventional suspension BRABUS offers its sport springs. For all SL models with ABC active suspension BRABUS has developed an electronic module that lowers the ride height by some 25 millimeters. Sport sway bars reduce body roll.
BRABUS high-performance brake systems for the SL-Class are available in four different versions. The largest one features vented and cross-drilled front discs measuring 375 x 36 mm (14.8 x 1.4 inches), and 12-piston fixed calipers. The rear discs measure 355 x 28 mm (14.0 x 1.1 inches) and come with six-piston fixed calipers.
BRABUS also customizes the interior of the two-seater by upping the level of luxury. The list of products includes scuff plates with illuminated BRABUS-logo, an ergonomically shaped sport steering wheel with shift paddles, and an exclusive BRABUS custom interior crafted from an exquisite combination of especially soft yet durable BRABUS Mastik leather and Alcantara.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Zane 3:07PM (5/07/2008)
Quad fog lights? That's certainly a first.
Reply
Jimmy 3:57PM (5/07/2008)
Brabus has been using quad foglights for a while...
MikeW 4:07PM (5/07/2008)
Not quad fog lights.
One pair is for lights, the other pair is driving lights.
Johnny 3:11PM (5/07/2008)
Have you gone to RennTech's website? They did 915 torque 3 years ago.
I know Brabus sounds sexier but the job RennTech does is better.
(no I dont work for them)
Reply
IK47 3:16PM (5/07/2008)
I fail to see how either of them are better than the stock SL65
Ex Renntech 11:52PM (5/07/2008)
No no, Renntech said they got 915, but that doesn't mean they actually did. Incompetent is probably the best way I could describe that company. They 'design' new mods for Mercedes with no verification whatsoever and pull numbers out of their a$$.
Beastage 7:24AM (5/08/2008)
IK47 is correct.
I must confess, Brabus are that type of tuners that I really don't care about.
What are they trying to prove? for such a pointless tuner house they sure get a lot of media attention.
Ligor 3:43PM (5/07/2008)
how about they leave the engine alone adn find a way to get rid of 500lbs or so
- you know, remove half the insulation, get some more aluminum/fiberglass panels, replace glass windows with some plastic ones, strip the stock trunk and replace with some very minor light carpet, put all al suspension components, reduce brake component weights, remove any plasit covers underhood that do nothing
the cars ahve enough power as they come
Reply
2004m3driver 3:49PM (5/07/2008)
Because this car is about showing off, not a track slut. You don't buy an SL65 for its light weight. You buy it for its mix of luxury and speed. This is more than enough for everyday roads. Brabus is there just to add a lil panache.
Noe 4:27PM (5/07/2008)
track slut!! oh now you've done it!!! all the republicans are going to be furious!! lol XD
Andy 5:37PM (5/07/2008)
You have the Black series for that. MB is going will replace the convertible top with a fixed hardtop.
IK47 7:29PM (5/07/2008)
because the SL is for the autobahn, not the nurburgring
Ligor 8:30PM (5/07/2008)
so what's wrong with the SL65AMG as it is for showing off.
Having Brabus tune that already makes it a rich boys rice burner, and they also mess-up the looks of it with all the additions to a nice classy look
It'll age the car faster, but I guess that's what all the rappers do, so why not follow
beken 6:41PM (5/07/2008)
I like that term "reliably insane".
Reply
why not the LS2LS7? 6:46PM (5/07/2008)
Reliably insane? Isn't this the same guys who had their test car conk out on Fifth Gear during a leisurely test drive interspersed with a few hard runs?
Reply
Syslik 4:41PM (5/13/2008)
I think we are forgetting about what BRabus did a couple of years ago with an SL.... They absolutely ruined it.. I mean i wouldnt mind one because its completely bonckers, but it is hell to drive. This is all because of the mercs poor traction control. when the previous SL was tested on the Top Gear track, it wobbled like hell coming out of the turns. i think Brabus needs to find something better to do than this SL. For example, make the traction control better...
http://youtube.com/watch?v=lu2IuarDnYU
Reply
Metal-TATTOO 3:34AM (7/26/2008)
...BUT wasnt it WHY Clarkson have liked to test drive those 'insane monsters'!!? :DD
Reply