Mercedes tuner Brabus will be unveiling three new vehicles this week at Geneva, including a couple of roadsters at opposite ends of the performance spectrum and a high-powered sedan.
The Brabus Bullit Black Arrow is based on the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and sports a twin-turbocharged 6.3 liter V12 in place of the range of six- and eight-cylinder engine, while the Brabus SLR McLaren and Brabus Ultimate 112 are available as a look-alike package. The price for this combination? A whopping 699,000 Euros, or just over $1 million. The Black Arrow, meantime, will set buyers back 348,00 Euros, or about $530,000.
SLR & Ultimate 112
Just like with big, off-shore yachts, which house small motorboats to navigate marinas and get crew to the mainland, the Smart Fortwo-based Ultimate 112 is supposed to be the tender to the SLR. The two roadsters feature body, engine, and visual upgrades, and identical Snow White paint and interior upholstery colors.
The SLR gets upgraded aerodynamics in the form of a carbon fiber front spoiler and rear diffuser as well as 20-inch wheels and tires that are lighter than the factory 19-inch wheels to improve looks and performance. Engine upgrades to the supercharged 5.5 liter V8 include a fuel-cooling system and revised camshafts that bump peak power by 24 horses to a total of 650 horsepower at 6,500 rpm. Brabus also offers a limited-slip differential to make the most of this newfound power. Thus equipped, the Brabus-tuned is reported to reach 60mph in 3.6 seconds and a top speed 211 mph. A flat-bottomed steering wheel with integrated shift buttons is also part of the upgrades. Exposed carbon fiber trim bits abound in the interior as well.
The Brabus Ultimate 112 is based on the newest Smart Fortwo Cabrio. It gets its name from its power output, at 112 horsepower (or 110 hp as measured by the North American SAE standard). Body upgrades include a body kit consisting of a front spoiler, rocker panels and Brabus Widestar fender flares. The wheels are 18-inches in diameter, sitting closer to the body thanks to a height-adjustable Brabus coil-over suspension. A Brabus sport steering wheels allows control over gear changes. Acceleration to 62.5mph takes 9.5 seconds and a 106mph top speed is enforced electronically.
The interior of both cars constitutes lipstick-red Brabus Mastik leather and black Alcantara. Brabus will offer either car on its own, with fully customizable exterior and interior colors.
Bullit Black Arrow
For more performance oriented buyers who need a more practical body style, the Black Arrow is coated in a black-matte paint, like a stealth jet fighter. Its twin-turbo V12 engine is rated at a whopping 720 hp at 5,100 rpm, along with an artificially limited torque peak of 811 lb-ft from 2,100 rpm up. Otherwise, the engine would make 974 lb-ft. Performance is on par with the most expensive supercars: 0-62.5mph is dispatched in 3.9 seconds, with a top speed of 217mph with the right gearing, as per Brabus. A reinforced five-speed automatic is charged with transferring the power rearwards to a Brabus limited-slip differential. Customers get a choice of two final drive ratios. Electronic driving aids found in Mercedes models such as ABS, ASR and ESP remain.
Other changes to make the Black Arrow include 19-inch wheels, brake-cooling ducts, a vented hood, a three-piece spoiler and rear diffuser, a 2.4-inch wider track and a reinforced body.
Height-adjustable coil-over shocks as well as more robust brakes are also part of the package. The front calipers feature 12 pistons squeezing 15-inch discs, while the rear wheels sport a 6-piston / 14-inch set-up.
The interior is fully functional, but made unique with Mastik and Nubuk leathers from Brabus’ own upholstery shop covering the seats. Carbon fiber trims and accents are aplenty, and aluminum pedals and shifter, as well as a flat-bottomed steering wheel, further differentiate the Black Arrow.
