Brabus Boosts Mercedes’ New S-class to 730 Horsepower

Imagine yourself a few months in the future, when you’ve just plunked down very nearly $150,000 for a 2014 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG. You’re sitting at a stoplight, listening to the quiet idle of the 5.5-liter twin-turbo V-8 and its 577 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque. It’s just then that another new S-class pulls up next to you, but it looks slightly different than your killer AMG. It sits a smidgen lower than yours, it rides on bigger aluminum wheels than you’ve got, and it has different front and rear spoilers. The light changes, and you give in to temptation and floor it—so has your new friend, and he leaves you behind.

Blame it on Brabus. The famed German tuner already has the new S-class in its sights and will be debuting its monster at the Frankfurt auto show in September. Brabus will offer a modified version of the 4.7-liter twin-turbo V-8 out of the S550 and the S63’s 5.5-liter twin-turbo V-8 in a further two strengths. The first step—the B50 – 520 PowerXtra CGI kit—ups output from 455 horsepower to 520, and torque from 516 lb-ft to 604. The tuner says that Mercedes’ estimates of a 4.8-second 0-to-60-mph sprint will tumble to 4.2 seconds, and that top speed will be limited to 186 mph.

Let us remind you, that was the first step.

The second step is what Brabus calls the B63 – 650 PowerXtra CGI—650, of course, for the horsepower rating. That’s up from the S63’s 577, and torque rises to from 664 lb-ft to 737. The third tier—that’s the one that trumped your bone-stock S63 in our imaginary scenario—again uses the S63’s 5.5-liter and gets the name B63S – 730. Horsepower, quite obviously, is 730, and torque is limited to 785 lb-ft available from 1750 rpm. The 730 treatment requires Brabus to swap the stock turbos for bigger versions, add a low-temperature radiator for the intercooler, open up the exhaust system, and remap the engine-management system. Brabus makes no claims on a 0–60 time, but the top speed is set at 202 mph.

• Feature: Dissected—2014 Mercedes-Benz S-class
• First Drive: 2014 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG 4MATIC
• Instrumented Test: 2013 Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG

Naturally there are Brabus wheel options at 19, 20, and 21 inches and the biggest shoes offered are 255/30ZR-21 front, 295/30ZR-21 at the back. Ride height is lowered by 0.6 inch. While U.S. S63 AMGs are all-wheel drive, Brabus doesn’t have such worries as it makes use of the S550’s internals. All three models will be available only with rear-wheel drive.

In addition to the exterior modifications to the S-class, Brabus would be more than happy to reupholster the interior with Mastik leather and faux-suede. There’s also a “refined” multimedia system on the list. We don’t have official pricing, which is likely in the “if you have to ask you can’t afford it” category, but we hear a fully fitted Brabus B63S – 730 will run upwards of $250,000.

Source: CarAndDriver