While some may now see the job of Brabus as more difficult, with ever faster and more accomplished AMG base products, its task has arguably been made easier with the advent of more turbo'd AMGs. Adjustments to boost pressure, intake and exhaust elicit the kind of gains that would have taken costly internal upgrades in a naturally aspirated engine.
Take the latest Brabus product, the rather prosaically named '600 Compact SUV'. It's based on the GLC, so is indeed a compact SUV - but now toting a remarkable 600hp. And yet the 90hp jump from a standard GLC63 S has been achieved through nothing more troubling than a recalibrated ECU, as the Brabus bumf explains: "A plug-and-play auxiliary control module is adapted to the electronic engine control unit, which introduces new mapping for injection and ignition while moderately increasing the boost pressure". So yes, the end result is 600hp at 5,800rpm and 590lb ft from 1,750 to 4,500rpm, which in turn means 0-62mph in 3.6 seconds and 186mph. Should be enough...
As is the way with modern Brabus products, this 600 Compact SUV is not simply a case of lighting the blue touch paper under the bonnet and standing well back. There's a new control module for the air suspension that lowers it by 30mm, a range of forged wheels to choose from (the car you see here is on the 21-inch 'Y Platinum Edition') and assorted carbon trinkets which allegedly improve the aerodynamics. Furthermore, this GLC features a sports exhaust that Brabus describes as "not just an absolute acoustic treat, but a visual one as well."
In addition to blistering performance and rambunctious soundtrack, Brabus is typically known for its lavish interiors ("a world renowned authority in the area of interior design", no less). Again, that's no different for the GLC, the cabin swathed in Mastik leather and Alcantara, with wood and carbon trim packages also available.
Brabus says the 600 Compact kit is available now, for both regular GLC and the Coupe; it can be ordered as a complete car from Brabus, or with existing '63 owners able to choose their own upgrade parts. Could be the perfect family runaround while you keep the 800hp S-Class Coupe for the weekend...
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