gavriil

Tuned for Luxury: Brabus Mercedes-Benz CLK500

Germans helping Germans: Brabus does things to Mercedes. Mean, desirable things


By MATT DAVIS


In 1977 Bodo Buschmann opened shop in Bottrop just north of the heavily industrialized zone around Cologne, Germany. Call it aftermarket tuner work if you like, but these days what Brabus does to Mercedes-Benz and Chrysler Group cars and trucks borders on the OEM. Shipped fresh from the factory in the case of Mercedes, in fact, and almost all sold beforehand: 7500 units in 2002, for the record. Most Brabi stay in Europe, but the North American office in Newport Beach, California, caters to ever more people wanting more of the Porsche-BMW spirit in their new Mercedes and Chryslers.

We just drove the Stuttgart version of the CLK320 cabriolet and loved it—but there’s always room for improvement: Brabus’ bored-out 3.8-liter S-spec V6 raises the stock 3.2-liter’s output from 215 hp and 229 lb-ft of torque to 295 hp and 292 lb-ft. Imagine an Audi S4 with two doors, a drop-top and cushier seats, and you come pretty close to the sensation.


BRABUS MERCEDES-BENZ CLK500
ON SALE: Now
BASE PRICE: $125,000
POWERTRAIN: 6.1-liter, 420-hp, 458-lb-ft V8; rwd, five-speed automatic
CURB WEIGHT: 3750 pounds
0-60 MPH: 4.5 seconds (mfr.)



But it’s the CLK500 Brabus that you really need and want. It makes the upcoming CLK55 AMG look like a taxi. The normal (and already wonderful) CLK500 uses a 5.0-liter 302-hp V8 with 340 lb-ft of torque from 2700 to 4250 rpm for a 0-to-60-mph time of 5.9 seconds. The CLK55 AMG reads 367 horses at 5750 rpm and 369 lb-ft up to 4000 rpm with a 0-to-60 time of 5.3 seconds. Then there’s the Brabus, with a bored-out 6.1-liter version of the Mercedes 5.0-liter V8 good for 420 hp and maximum torque of 458 lb-ft at 4100 rpm. It has been observed launching to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds and is electronically limited to 190 mph.

At the time of our drive, the cabriolet CLK500 was still going through its final tests on the Brabus back lot and at the vast Papenburg testing facility in Germany’s far northwest, so we took a coupe. It was just before lunch, and traffic on the autobahn was fairly flowing. No wacky high-speed runs, but a whole lot of accelerating and slowing. We knew immediately why Brabus’ work is such a hit with its customers. You get all the interior comfort and quality of Mercedes’ upper range—more, actually—combined with the pulling power of a tugboat and the accelerator hesitation of a 911. It is the limited-audience Mercedes we keep looking for, but not honestly expecting to find.



Besides the all-important 6.1-liter engine upgrade with custom crankshaft, larger Brabus pistons, re-machined cylinder heads with custom camshafts and a new ECU, the CLK500 Brabus when completely tricked-out gets a dual-tip stainless-steel sport exhaust with high-performance catalysts and sport muffler, plus new front bumper and rear valance for lower lift numbers at speed. In addition, we drove it with 19x8.5-inch wheels up front and 19x10-inch rears wrapped in Pirelli Z-rated rubber.

Driving the creation over the Brabus backyard track proved the SACHS suspension to be far superior to anything on a stock Mercedes. Not too soft, not too hard. Even inducing it to bottom out was an amazingly civilized experience. Your choice of suspension setups ranges all over the board. This also applies to your choice of braking solutions for stopping all this loveliness. And the Brabus saddlery and carpentry departments create bespoke interiors in the tradition of Mulliner or Park Ward.

We’re looking forward to the Brabus installation of a V12 in the E-Class chassis. The bi-turbo 5.5-liter V12 from the S600 gets bored out and fitted with a fresh ECU allowing 623 hp at 5100 rpm and an unconscionable 757 lb-ft of torque from just 1750 rpm. Zero to 60 mph is said to happen in 4.1 seconds, with a top speed limited to 213 mph. Fastest sedan on earth?

You bet. Price? Start at $300,000 and move up from there.

For now, the plenty fast and much enhanced Brabus CLK500 in either hardtop or cabrio configuration is ready for you. The cabrio costs an estimated $135,000 plus tax. The hardtop starts at $125,000—compared to $52,920 for the stock car. If you just want that 6.1-liter motor sculpture, it will run you $30,000 installed in the car you already own.

mantis23

$125K-$135K for that? I dont think so.

Chaptorial

Its nice but the previous gen bodystyle was sooo much better. Like Mantis said thats waaay too much $$

neoprufrok

Whoa.. that's is way too much money. When the RS4 comes out, it'll make this car overpriced. 125k... i'd rather get a Porsche twin turbo.

Zapata

not liking the lines on the C Class at all.....

pimpscls

nice

gavriil

Yes but the RS4 is a 4 door sedan. This is a coupe.

Red Nj-s

Not exciting at all.

dozorca

darrinb

brabus, renn tech and klemann benzes are soo expensive, i dunno why though

i dont know why benz didnt put the 493 hp engine in the clk55, theu just put in the 5.5l w/o the blower, a clk65 would be the shit