Thursday 24th April 2014

Brabus SLS 700: Spotted

Brabus does its own valedictory SLS special, with two turbos and 700hp

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It could be argued the Mercedes SLS AMG Final Edition isn't the most fitting swansong to AMG's first supercar. Bar some new wheels and a carbon bonnet, it's identical to the (admittedly rather brilliant) standard SLS GT.

Because who wants a piffling 591hp?

For such an important car, that doesn't seem quite right. But we'll find out for ourselves next week when Dan drives it. There's always this as an alternative though. Brabus has become slightly lost in recent years as the in-house AMG products have become ever wilder and more numerous; it has responded by going, well, even more wild.

With an SLS GT at 591hp and the Black Series at 631, Brabus would have to do something drastic to improve on that. Two turbos has done the trick. Aside from the headline power figure, there's also 627lb ft of torque. That's 159lb ft more than a Black Series. Crikey.

So a surfeit of performance certainly isn't in doubt. But as the AMG products have evolved into more complete sports car and saloons, is simply outrageous speed enough to sell a Brabus? Not so long ago, an AMG was purchased for its crushing straight line speed and Brabus catered for those who weren't quite satisfied. But now the case can easily be made for an AMG over an equivalent BMW M as a driver's car, such is the progress of recent years. Can Brabus really improve on the genius of Affalterbach?

Ah good, no change here then

It has tried, certainly. As well as the engine upgrades, there's a titanium exhaust, forged wheels and new coilover suspension. Oh, and Satin Chrome Valve Caps.

Perhaps just as relevantly to those contemplating spending £250K on an SLS, it's unlikely you'll come across another like this. The 'BRABUS STAR' body kit brings lots of carbon fibre where everyone can see and the quilted leather interior reminds everyone inside this isn't any old SLS. For the driver, a quilted leather mat, race gear paddles and a 400km/h speedo.

Or how about this as an alternative if the burly +VAT pricetag doesn't work for you? A slightly used SLS at £100K and then a raid on the Brabus catalogue for your own mega SLS. Wonder how much the turbos are?

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BRABUS SLS AMG 700
Engine: 6,208cc V8 twin-turbo
Transmission: 7-speed twin-clutch auto, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 700@N/A rpm (standard SLS GT 591@6,800rpm)
Torque (lb ft): 627@N/A rpm (standard SLS GT 479@4,750rpm)
MPG: 21.4mpg (NEDC combined, standard SLS GT)
CO2: 308g/km (standard SLS GT)
First registered: 2014
Recorded mileage: Delivery miles
Price new: £249,995 plus VAT
Yours for: See above!

See the original advert here.

[Fetchez la vache]

So, what'll it do, mister?

[rhinochopig]

Never thought I'd say this about a brabus product, but with that displacement and two turbos the bhp figure seems rather restrained.

[Sexual Chocolate]

That must be really really really tail happy.

[isherdholi]

Power (hp): 700@N/A rpm (standard SLS GT 591@6,800rpm)
Torque (lb ft): 627@N/A rpm (standard SLS GT 479@4,750rpm)
MPG: 21.4mpg (NEDC combined, standard SLS GT)
CO2: 308g/km (standard SLS GT)

More power and torque than the standard car but the same MPG and CO2?

[rohrl]

rhinochopig said:

Never thought I'd say this about a brabus product, but with that displacement and two turbos the bhp figure seems rather restrained.

113BHP/ton. Not enormously stressed.

[LotusOmega375D]

So is the SLS already about to become history then? Time flies when you get to my age.

[Theallotmentman]

I love what Brabus do but I just see this as pointless. It's not like the normal or Black Edition were slow was it. I'm glad companies keep pushing the boundaries though but I wish it was in other ways. What about stripping al of the weight instead and pushing materials boundaries.....?

[renaultgeek]

engine bay doesn't look good enough , very plastic. Also, what's up with the neons?

I'd say it'd give you whiplash though changing to second.

[TaylotS2K]

The Black Edition looks much nicer to me.

[tejr]

isherdholi said:

Power (hp): 700@N/A rpm (standard SLS GT 591@6,800rpm)
Torque (lb ft): 627@N/A rpm (standard SLS GT 479@4,750rpm)
MPG: 21.4mpg (NEDC combined, standard SLS GT)
CO2: 308g/km (standard SLS GT)

More power and torque than the standard car but the same MPG and CO2?

There must not be any official figures for the Brabus, so looks like PH have quoted standard SLS GT figures.

[Remagel2507]

Only 700 bhp?

Black Series + Weistec = 750 bhp

http://www.weistec.com/m159sc.html

[dlockhart]

rohrl said:

113BHP/ton.

presumably you mean per liter rather than per ton

[rohrl]

dlockhart said:

presumably you mean per liter rather than per ton

Yes, yes I do.

Brain fade there.

[ManFromDelmonte]

Does anyone know what car this article is about?

[Sampaio]

100k for a used SLS sounds like a bargain... I bet it'll steal some sales from the new GT. Same as how used 12Cs will probably draw some attention when the new, smaller McLaren lands

[g4ry13]

I remember back in the day when Brabus made stupidly powerful stuff. An extra 69hp over Mercedes Black isn't exactly pushing it. They should have pushed it up to 800hp at least.

[k-ink]

The SLS is my dream car. Any of them will do

[Guvernator]

k-ink said:

The SLS is my dream car. Any of them will do

Dream car, really? Out of all the possible super\hypers cars in the world, you'd pick this? Proves that everybody is different I guess as the SLS leaves me cold.

[soad]

renaultgeek said:

engine bay doesn't look good enough , very plastic.

True, but you'd spend more time driving the car (and listening to the glorious engine note).

[k-ink]

Guvernator said:

k-ink said:

The SLS is my dream car. Any of them will do

Dream car, really? Out of all the possible super\hypers cars in the world, you'd pick this? Proves that everybody is different I guess as the SLS leaves me cold.

I just adore the cool yet somehow understated looks. I love large engines with effortless grunt. So pretty much what I want in a car. Yes there are faster offerings but I have no desire for them really.