Geneva Preshow: Brabus Unleashes its Tune for the New Mercedes-Benz CLS

The arrival of the second generation Mercedes-Benz CLS has Brabus getting ready to present its tuning program for the sports sedan at next week's Geneva Motor Show. For the 2012 CLS, the German tuning house prepared a variety of aero-enhancements, interior goods and performance upgrades.

Aesthetically, the Mercedes-Benz tuning specialist offers a new front bumper add-on that can be further upgraded with LED daytime running lights with either dark or chrome surrounds, fender gills, side skirts, a discrete boot lid spoiler and a rear apron with custom cutouts for the for the four tailpipes of the available sport exhaust system.

There are plenty of choices for the alloy wheels as Brabus offers six different designs in sizes ranging from 8.5Jx17" to 10.5Jx20". The largest tires supplied by the company's partners Pirelli and YOKOHAMA for these wheels come in size 255/30 ZR 20 in front and in size 305/25 ZR 20 for the rear axle.

Inside, the options range from a new sports steering wheel in a variety of leather and wood designs, to custom leather or Alcantara upholsteries and aluminum and carbon fiber trim components.

For the time being, the German tuning firm's engine kits are limited to the diesel models.

The CLS 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY's 2.1-liter turbo diesel engine equipped with the performance kit delivers an additional 31 hp for a total of 235HP and a peak torque of 560 Nm (413 lb-ft).

The Brabus-tuned CLS 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY gets a new kit which offers two different modes. In the ‘Eco’ setting, only peak torque is increased from 620 Nm to 690 Nm (457 to 509 lb-ft) between 1,600 and 2,400 rpm, with the maximum output remaining unchanged. If the driver selects the ‘Sport’ mode, both peak torque and output are increased, with power jumping from 265HP to 313HP. Using this setting, the tuned CLS sprints from 0 – 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.9 seconds, while top speed is limited electronically to 250 km/h (155 mph).

A sports exhaust system that promises to optimize power yield and produce a throaty exhaust note is available for all CLS engine variants.

Finally, to improve handling, the tuner offers a number of solutions ranging from new sport springs for a 30mm (1.2-in.) lower ride-height to a complete sports suspension.

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NYC Beware: 2012 Mercedes CLS 63 AMG Fashion Police Car out to Capture Trendsetters on the Streets

If you happen to be in New York City for the next week or so and consider yourself a trendy person, keep an eye out for a 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG clad in a Fashion Force uniform resembling a police car. To explain, as part of the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week festivities, the German sports saloon will be patrolling the streets of Manhattan to spot "style setters".

Those that fit the description will be pulled over and rewarded with a ride to their next destination and have their picture taken, while several will receive invitations to Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week runway shows as well as to the official fashion force culmination event, hosted by Brad Goreski in the Mercedes-Benz Star Lounge.

"The Mercedes-Benz Fashion Force car is a statement about New York being one of the greatest fashion capitals of the world and the confident approach to individualistic style that people strive to explore throughout this amazing city," said stylist Brad Goreski.

We'd like to assume that picking up trend setters from the streets is not what the AMG division's engineers had in mind when crafting the 2012 CLS 63 AMG, but then again, we doubt that Merc's clientele are your typical speed freaks.

"Mercedes-Benz has a natural affinity with the world of fashion with cars that appeal to those with a strong sense of style," said Lisa Holladay, manager of brand experience for Mercedes-Benz USA. "The 2012 CLS 63 AMG four-door coupe is the perfect vehicle for the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Force initiative with its fascinating design and significant curb appeal."

The Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2011 will take place in New York, NY at Lincoln Center from February 10-17.

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Mercedes-Benz Shows New C-Class Coupe and SLS AMG Roadster in Super Bowl Spots

In an exclusive pre-game release and following a behind-the-scenes version that we showed you on Friday, Mercedes-Benz has published an extended cut edition of its Super Bowl XLV commercial called 'Welcome'. With this ad, the German automaker 'welcomes' four new additions to its range including the next generation SLK roadster and CLS 63 AMG, as well as two never before seen (at least not officially) models, the SLS AMG Roadster and the C-Class Coupe. The quartet of new Mercedes-Benz cars can be seen towards the end of the video, which is posted for your viewing pleasure after the break.

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Brabus: New Hot Wheels for 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS Sports Sedan

As sure as the sun rises tomorrow, Brabus will present some horsepower crazy version of the new Mercedes-Benz CLS in the likes of the insane, first-generation CLS-based Rocket V12 that packed 730 twin-turbocharged horses under its bonnet. But for now, the German tuning firm is taking it easy simply releasing its alloy wheel and tire options for Merc's banana-shaped luxury sports sedan. You can check the available designs in sizes 19- and 20-inches in our gallery after the jump.

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Brabus Presents the World’s First Euro 6 Compliant Performance Kit for Diesel Models

Mercedes-Benz tuning specialist Brabus has presented a new ECO PowerXtra D6S performance kit for the S350 BlueTec, and by doing so, the company claims to have created the world’s first tuned diesel-powered car that meets the Euro 6 emissions standard, scheduled to go into effect in 2014. Available for both rear-while drive and 4MATIC four-wheel drive variants, the kit delivers an additional 55HP and 70 Nm (52 lb-ft) of torque, for a total of 313HP and 690 Nm (509 lb-ft).

Designed to work like a plug-and-play device, the module increases the 3.0-liter V6 diesel’s output depending on the selected shift mode of the 7G-Tronic Plus automatic transmission. In “Eco” mode, peak torque increases, but the engine output remains unchanged (258HP), while in “Manual” or “Sport” mode maximum power is also boosted.

The modified S350 sprints from standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) in a very respectable 6.5 seconds and can reach an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).

The Brabus ECO PowerXtra D6S unit can be also fitted to all Mercedes E350 CDI BlueEfficiency variants as well as the CLS 350 CDI BlueEfficiency model, delivering identical output.

All models come with a three-year or 100,000 km (62,000 miles) warranty and can be specified with a custom Brabus stainless-steel exhaust with 4 tailpipes, delivering a more distinctive exhaust note and further optimizing power yield.

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