BRABUS, a German tuner of Mercedes-Benz automobiles, has just launched the Brabus 850 6.0 Widestar, a sports utility vehicle so monstrously muscular that it makes Hummers seem meek.
BRABUS, a German tuner of Mercedes-Benz automobiles, has just launched the Brabus 850 6.0 Widestar, a sports utility vehicle so monstrously muscular that it makes Hummers seem meek.
BRABUS, a German tuner of Mercedes-Benz automobiles, has just launched the Brabus 850 6.0 Widestar, a sports utility vehicle so monstrously muscular that it makes Hummers seem meek. The Widestar is based on the Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG, but has been given tremendous mechanical enhancements. The stock 5.5-litre biturbo V8 has its displacement bumped up to six litres (hence its moniker), and features forged pistons, larger turbochargers and modified exhaust manifolds.
Total output is a tarmacmelting 850bhp and an earthshattering 1450Nm (a stock G63 AMG “only” has 544bhp and 760Nm). Brabus claims that the Widestar can demolish the century dash in four seconds. The engine’s soundtrack is played through the stainless steel exhaust system, which can be specified with either chrome or black tailpipes.
Other visual enhancements include a widebody kit that adds 12cm to the width of the vehicle, standard 23-inch wheels and smoked Xenon headlamps. Responsible for the Widestar’s ride/handling balance is the Ride Control suspension, which features Bilstein dampers that off er selectable “Sport” and “Comfort” settings. Meanwhile, infotainment is boosted by the multimedia console on the transmission tunnel, which off ers an integrated iPhone 6 charger, USB ports and 12-volt outlets.
BLISTERING BLOOM
LOTUS is targeting track-day enthusiasts with its limited edition Exige 360 Cup, of which only 50 units will be produced. Each car comes with a Lotus Motorsport numbered plate. Compared to the Exige V6 Cup, the Exige 360 Cup packs 360bhp, or 15bhp more than the former. The latter also features a freer-flowing intake system and an exhaust with lower backpressure for a racier sound.
Setting the 360 Cup further apart from the V6 Cup are its lightweight front-access panel and improved brake discs for better stopping power. The car also comes with “Motorsport Red” wheels and cockpit trimmings.
ROCKET CHIP
ABT has released a piggyback ECU (engine control unit) for the Audi RS3 Sportback. With it installed, the car’s turbocharged 2.5-litre inline-5 kicks out 430bhp and 530Nm. That’s 63bhp and 65Nm more than the standard motor
The extra ponies enable the RS3 to shave its 0-100km/h time by 0.2 of a second to 4.1 seconds. In addition, the ECU also raises the electronically limited top speed from 250km/h to 285km/h. To complement this performance, ABT also offers a stainless steel quad-exhaust system with fierce-looking 102mm-diameter tailpipes.
