Bottrop, Germany - Brabus has released a range of upgrades for the new W213 E-Class that’s as much visual as it is visceral, from plug-and-play PowerXtra engine modules to neat aero kit add-ons that enhance the factory styling rather than replace it - all requiring a minimum of invasive surgery.
The base model E200 turbopetrol four is first in line for a Bottrop boost, from the PowerXtra B20 module, which increases power from 135kW to 165kW and peak torque from 300Nm to 330Nm.
The PowerXtra D3 module ups the power of the E220d by 20kW to 163kW, and torque 50Nm to 450Nm, while, for the E350d, the PowerXtra D6S is prescribed.
Installed in less than an hour, it invigorates the turbodiesel V6 to the tune of 37 extra kilowatts - up to 227kW - and 100Nm on top of the factory’s 620Nm, on tap from 1600-2400rpm. That’s enough, says Brabus, for a 0-100km/h launch in 5.7 seconds; top speed is electronically limited to 250km/h.
And of course, no tuning program is complete without a stainless-steel auspuff leading to four chrome-plated tailpipes.
Brabus has one for your E Class, no matter which variant.
There’s also a special version for the E43 with actively controlled exhaust flaps, allowing you to modulate at will from stealth mode to stomping the yard.
If your E-Class has conventional suspension, Brabus has sports springs to lower ride height by about 30mm, while for those with Air Body Control, there’s a special control module to match the conversion to to high-performance tyres.
That’s because Brabus offers a range of one-piece forged alloy rims ringing in diameter from 18 to 21 inches; the latter to be shod with 255/30 front and 295/25 rear gumballs from Continental, Pirelli or Yokohama - your choice.
Whether you specified your E-Class Mercedes with Avantgarde, Exclusive or AMG-Line exterior trim, Brabus has a range of add-on aero components, all moulded in the same reinforced polyurethane material that the maker uses for its ‘plastics’, for perfect fit and paintability.
Distinctive front splitter
The package starts with a distinctive front splitter to reduce lift on the front axle, together with winglets for the side air intakes; the outer sections of the AMG-line splitter are shaped like flaps, with vertical surrounds for the outer air intakes in place of the winglets.
The Brabus boot-lid spoiler fits all current E-Class sedan, measurably reducing rear lift at high speeds, while the diffuser-style rear bumper insert, with two cutouts at each end to accommodate the four tailpipes of the Brabus sports exhaust, has three vertical fins to optimise airflow.
The Bottrop Boys have a wishlist of goodies to zhoozh up the interior of your E-Class as well, ranging from stainless-steel sill-plates with the Brabus logo backlit in the same 64 colours as the maker’s standard ambient lighting package, to alloy pedals and door pins.
But what the Brabus trim shop specialises in, is re-trimming the interior of customers’ car to a level of sheer luxury that’s almost decadent, using the finest Mastik leather and alcantara synthetic suede in any colour you can think of and quite a few that you won’t.