BRABUS Widestar Tuning Package for the Mercedes M-Class Facelift

A firm believer of the phrase "better late than never", Mercedes-Benz tuning specialist BRABUS, has introduced a new Widestar package for the facelifted M-Class that was revealed at last year's New York Auto Show. The exterior of the M-Class is enhanced with a wide bodykit that includes new fender flares on front and rear axle that add five centimeters (two inches) to the width of the SUV as well as massive 23-inch alloy wheels fitted with high-performance tires in size 315/25 R 23 front and back.

Inside, BRABUS' appointments for the Mercedes M-Class interior include stainless-steel scuff plates with illuminated BRABUS logo, a sport steering wheel, and leather-covered door elements for upgrading the factory interior. Also available are a fully leather interior made from a combination of Mastik and Alcantara leather and seven-inch LCD screen with 16:9 aspect ratio and integrated DVD player integrated on the rear end of the front hearests.

The M-Class' handling is improved with the BRABUS control module for the standard AIRMATIC air suspension that lowers the ride height by some 30 millimeters (1.2 inches). To further optimize active safety the BRABUS WIDESTAR is optionally equipped with a high-performance brake system that consists of 12-piston aluminum fixed calipers grip front discs measuring 360 x 28 mm (14.2 x 1.1 inches). The rear axle features six-piston fixed calipers.

For the gasoline-powered models, BRABUS' engine tuning program starts with the B7 power kit which increases power output of the ML 350 to 287 HP while the ML 500 is available with the BRABUS 6.1 displacement engine generating 462HP. For the most powerful variant of the M-Class, the M 63 AMG, there's the B63 S kit that boosts output to 550HP. With this kit, the tuned top-of-the-line M-Class model sprints from rest to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.9 seconds and achieves a new top speed of 275 km/h (172 mph).

Those who prefer diesel engines can equip the ML 280 CDI with the BRABUS ECO PowerXtra D5 (III) kit that produces an extra 52HP. For the ML 320 CDI BRABUS has designed the D6 (III) power kit which bumps maximum power output to 272HP and produces a peak torque of 590 Nm (435 lb-ft) at just 1,600 rpm.

In the top-of-the-line diesel model, ML 420 CDI, the BRABUS ECO PowerXtra D8 (III) power kit boosts power from 306HP to 350HP while peak torque grows from 700 Nm to 800 Nm (516 to 590 lb-ft). The tuned ML 420 CDI sprints from 0 – 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 6.0 seconds, half a second less than the production car while top speed increases from 235 to 245 km/h (147 to 153 mph).