Brabus Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren

By Motoring Channel Staff - 10/03/2005

The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren is one of the world's most fascinating sports cars, looking like a futuristic speed capsule and capable of dispatch the 0-100km/h dash in 3.9 seconds thanks to its supercharged V8.

For most drivers, this would more than enough power, but the famous German tuning company Brabus thought that Mercedes and McLaren's work could be improved, and so they set about creating an even quicker version of the legendary SLR.

Following their credo that the best is just good enough for Brabus, the engineers and designers at the European company have developed an exclusive sport program for the two-seater that lets owners of the top-of-the-line Mercedes-Benz model further individualise their vehicles.

To begin with, Brabus equips the SLR with a special self-locking differential. Its 40 percent locking rate further optimises the super sports car's traction and therefore improves acceleration.

The Brabus 'Racing' version gets performance-improving fuel cooling, custom camshafts and an open racing exhaust system, achieving a maximum power of 486kW (660hp) @ 6500rpm from the 5.4-litre supercharged V8 engine, which in standard trim outputs 454kW at the same engine revolutions.

However, this exhaust system is not certified for use on public roads, but thus equipped the SLR storms to 100km/h from rest in just 3.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of up to 340km/h. The 'standard' SLR completes the same dash from standstill in 3.9 seconds.

Brabus also offers professional modifications to body, suspension and interior that further amplify the sports talents of the SLR. For improved directional stability at high speeds the Brabus designers developed a new spoiler for the front air dam.

The exposed-carbon aerodynamic-enhancement part reduces lift on the front axle and adds another shot of racing looks, and the rear diffuser is also made from exposed carbon.

The multi-piece Brabus 20-inch light-alloy wheels with six double spokes command immediate attention. The fully polished wheels in size 9.5J x 20-inch in front and 11.5J x 20-inch on the rear axle fill out the available space below the wheel arches perfectly.

Brabus chose high-performance tyres in sizes 255/30 ZR20 and 305/25 ZR20 as the optimal solution and the conversion to the Brabus 20-inch tyre/wheel combination gives the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren even more dynamic handling prowess.

The famous German tuning house also adds exclusive highlights to the interior.

The company-owned upholstery shop created a Brabus interior from an exclusive black and red combination of leather and Alcantara, perfectly crafted down to the last detail. The waffle-design stitching of the SLR leather floor is especially elaborate and it alone uses 7,800 meters of the finest thread.

For easier entering and exiting, Brabus manufactured a custom Brabus sport steering wheel with an ergonomically shaped rim that is flat on the bottom. For manual shifting of the SLR's automatic transmission the Brabus steering wheel features buttons integrated into the spokes.

The Brabus interior designers developed precise-fit applications for dashboard, center console and door panels, all made from exposed carbon and they help to extend the Brabus exterior carbon look through the interior.

The Brabus super sports car sells for €600,000, which equates to about $1,000,000, give or take ten thousand dollars for the exchange rate fluctuations. Included in the price is the SLR's airfreight shipment to anywhere in the world - even Australia.