If the previous story wasn't enough to crave the insatiable appetites of all you MB tuner-fanatics, consider yourself lucky, because the good folks over at Brabus just sent us info on their new tuning program for the adored-by-moms-everywhere Mercedes R-Class.

As anyone familiar with Brabus knows, their name is synonymous with one thing - power.  Not one to deviate from tradition, it should come as no surprise then that the first area of the R-Class Brabus addressed was the engine, tweaking the R500's standard 5.0 Liter 302 horsepower V8 to a more well-endowed 6.1-Liter 445 horsepower.  The result is a top speed of 165 mph and a 0-60 time of 5.9 seconds... quick enough to get your kids to school and still get home in time to enjoy a full hour of Martha.

Of course, power alone is not enough, and Brabus has graciously taken it upon themselves to address the rest of the R-Class as well. For starters, prospective customers will notice a sporty yet elegant aerodynamic-enhancement program that, while not overbearing, is sure to illicit a subliminal sense of fear in the hearts of non-Brabus powered minivan owners everywhere. A new Brabus suspension system and Brabus 22 inch light alloy wheels round out the subtle exterior enhancements of the vehicle.

Finally, to complete the R-class package, Brabus engineers opted to bring a hint feng shui-like serenity to the interior.  How did they do it you ask? A few options customers can choose from include stainless steel accents, Brabus Mastik and Alcantara leather interior, multimedia package, and for the small group of you out there that actually believe the R-class is not a mom-centric little-league hauler, you can even opt for a mobile office, complete with powered tables and state of the art computer system.

For more info, you can check out photos of the new Brabus R-Class immediately below, followed by the full press release. Enjoy.














BRABUS Tuning for the new Mercedes R-Class

Concurrent with the market introduction of the new Mercedes R-Class in Europe BRABUS (Brabus-Allee, D 46240 Bottrop, phone + 49 / (0) 2041 / 777-0, fax + 49 / (0) 2041 / 777 111,  Internet www.brabus.com) presents an exclusive tuning program for the new Grand Sports  Tourer. Highlights of the product lineup are the BRABUS 6.1 S displacement engine with 445 hp  / 327 kW for the R 500, a sporty yet elegant aerodynamic enhancement program, light alloy  wheels up to 22 inches in diameter with custom calibrated suspensions, and individual interior  options.

BRABUS is world-renowned for its powerful yet clean burning high-performance engines that are lubricated exclusively with ARAL high performance motor oil. The BRABUS 4.0  displacement engine with 332 hp / 224 kW and a peak torque of 420 Nm at 4,200 rpm  represents the most powerful BRABUS tuning available for the new R 350.

Equipped with BRABUS PowerXtra D6 (III) tuning rated power output of the R 320 CDI  increases from standard 224 hp / 165 kW to 272 hp / 200 kW at just 3,800 rpm. At the same  time peak torque grows from 510 Nm to 590 Nm. With the tuned common-rail turbodiesel  engine the R 320 CDI sprints from 0 ? 100 km/h in just 8.2 seconds. The new top speed is 227 km/h.

The eight-cylinder R 500 can be elevated to new performance levels in four BRABUS tuning  stages. The most powerful of them is labeled BRABUS 6.1 S. In addition to the displacement  increase of the V8 engine to 6.1 liters the three-valve cylinder heads are optimized for improved mixture flow and fitted with special camshafts. The conversion further includes a stainless steel  high-performance exhaust system with metal catalysts. The impressive result after the  conversion: 445 hp / 327 kW at 6,000 rpm and an enormous peak torque of 635 Nm at 4,500  rpm. In BRABUS 6.1 S specification the Grand Sports Tourer delivers excellent performance:  Just 5.9 seconds for 0 - 100 km/h with a top speed of 265 km/h.

BRABUS stainless-steel sport exhaust systems with four tailpipes are available for all R-Class  engine variants.

For a more sporty emphasis of the characteristic R-Class lines the BRABUS designers  developed an aerodynamic enhancement kit with front spoiler, precise-fit auxiliary headlight  inserts for the front bumper and a rear apron with cutouts for the two dual chrome tailpipes of  the BRABUS sport exhaust.

Just as important for a customized appearance are BRABUS Monoblock A, S and VI light-alloy  wheels, which come in various designs with diameters ranging from 18 to 22 inches. The largest  version for the new R-Class features BRABUS wheels in size 10Jx22 shod with Yokohama or  Pirelli high performance tires in size 265/35 ZR 22 in front and in size 295/30 ZR 22 on the rear  axle. The BRABUS suspension engineers developed sporty yet comfortable suspensions perfectly  matched to the new tire/wheel combinations. BRABUS also offers high performance brake  systems for the new R-Class. The most powerful system, Version III, consists of 380 millimeter  perforated discs and 12-piston aluminum calipers on the front axle. The rear axle features 6- piston calipers on 355-millimeter discs.

Luxury and individuality in the interior is another BRABUS specialty. The options range from  stainless-steel sill plates with illuminated BRABUS logo to ergonomically shaped sport steering  wheels to an exclusive BRABUS fully leather interior crafted from a combination of especially  soft yet durable BRABUS Mastik and Alcantara leathers.  The BRABUS multimedia package is also available for the new model series. It includes DVD  player, game console and LCD screens integrated into the back of the headrests. Upon  customer request BRABUS can convert the new R-Class into a fully functional office on wheels  with powered tables and a state of-the-art computer system.

For more info, visit Brabus.com