There is that old saying, “absolute power corrupts absolutely”. People seem to forget that German tuners Brabus actually coined the phrase. Here is their latest tuned offering atop the new Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake. From the entry-level 250 CDI BlueEfficiency engine all the way up to the power hungry CLS 63 AMG, Chris Harris must be going dilly at the prospect.
The extensive upgrade program for the Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake range includes a power boost and styling changes like a new front spoiler, LED day time running lights, side skirts, illuminated door sills and wider fenders. AMG sport package specified cars can get a new front spoiler lip for improved menace and added down force too. The parts can be made from either Polyurethane Reinforced Reaction Injection Molding (PUR-R-RIM) or carbon fibre.
New ‘Brabus Monoblock’ wheels vary in size from 17- to 20-inches and are available in six different designs. The new Bilstein suspension option is specifically calibrated to be used with the lower profile tyres and lowers the car by as much as 35 mm in some instances. The Brabus CLS Shooting Brake upgrade also features a new sports exhaust for more aural entertainment. For the interior of the Brabus Mercedes CLS Shooting Brake, you are offered Mastik leather and Alcantara upholstery, a speedometer that’s marked to 340 km/h, as well as carbon fibre trim and aluminium pedals.
Most importantly for a tuned offering, there is also a power boost via what Brabus call the ‘ECO PowerXtra D4 Performance Kit’. On the CLS 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY power is increased by 23 kW and torque is increased to 560 Nm. The CLS 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY gets equipped with ‘ECO PowerXtra D6S’ package that means it’ll produce 230 kW and be capable of a 0 – 100 km/h sprint in less than 6.0 seconds for the first time.
That’s enough of the eco-tuned diesels though, what about the big power petrol models? The V8 petrol CLS 500 BlueEFFICIENCY has its own tuning kit it means the CLS Shooting Brake produces 368 kW and 720 Nm of torque. With the Brabus V-max top speed delimiter unit installed, the car can hit 300 km/h. The top dog CLS 63 AMG is upped to 455 kW and a peak torque of 737 Nm, propelling the car to 100 km/h in 4.2 seconds and onto a top speed of 320 km/h.
Brabus have not released prices, but we still don’t think they turn the CLS Shooting Brake into the most attractive Mercedes-Benz. What are your thoughts? Worth tuning or not worth tuning?
