The 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was unveiled in May, while its more powerful S63 variant was shown for the first time last week. As always, the world’s elite tuning companies are some of the first to lay their hands on the newest luxury and exotic machines, with the aim of making them, well, faster.
As Mercedes-Benz tuning specialists, Brabus need no introduction and have been turning out high-performance Mercs since 1977. Their latest effort has been with the all-new Mercedes S-Class, specifically the S500.
Adding more muscle to the S500 begins with the BRABUS B50 package. The 4.7-litre bi-turbo V8 engine has been given more grunt via a specially developed ECU software map. The plug-and-play ECU kit adds 47 kW and 120 Nm of torque for a total output of 382 kW and 820 Nm. The increased power gives the car a 0 – 100 km/h sprint time of 4.2 seconds and a 300 km/h top speed.
With the Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG already producing 430 kW and 900 Nm from it’s 5.5-litre bi-turbo V8, one wonders how much more power the big S-Class really needs. Well, the Brabus B63 650 PowerExtra CGI tuning package adds 54 kW and 100 Nm of torque, for a total of 484 kW @ 5 500 r/min and peak torque of 1 000 Nm spread between 2 250 – 3 750 r/min. Brabus haven’t released performance figures on their B63 650 package, but suffice to say it’ll be quicker than the standard S63 AMG’s 4.4 second 0 – 100 km/h sprint and unrestricted, it should run to 320 km/h.
But wait, there’s more. Like Mercedes-Benz themselves, who offer a performance package for the S63 AMG, Brabus have an even more potent version of the S63 AMG for customers who are brave enough, or just have lots of money to spend. The Brabus B63S is the result of two new turbochargers, revised cold air induction system, a free-flowing sports exhaust and revised ECU software to manage these changes. The result is 537 kW and a mountain-moving 1 065 Nm of torque, (which is actually electronically limited to ensure the reliability of the drivetrain). Official performance figures are yet to be released, but Brabus claim an electronically limited top speed of 325 km/h.
Brabus has long offered customers the ability to adjust the ride height of those vehicles equipped with Mercedes’ AirMatic suspension, which can be lowered by up to 15 mm. The German tuner also offers a number of interior updates, although it also caters for any specific personalisation a customer may like.
An aerodynamics package it also available to compliment the added performance. Brabus add new bumpers, revised side skirts and ventilated front fenders. An assortment of wheel and tyre combinations are available, including 19- to 21-inch and shod with Pirelli, Yokohama or Continental rubber.
