- Brabus installs its 6.1-liter V8 in the 2011 E550 Cabriolet.
- The result is 456 hp and 453 lb-ft of torque.
- Look for a 4.7-second 0-60-mph time and a 186-mph top speed, says Brabus.
BOTTROP, Germany — Long-time Mercedes tuner Brabus offers a wide range of enhancements for the 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet, including a 6.1-liter V8 for the E550 convertible.
The upgrade starts with the Brabus 6.1 engine, a serious motor even by Teutonic standards. Brabus takes the 5.5-liter V8 from the E550 (shown here with European-market E500 badging), bores and strokes it to 6.1 liters and extensively reworks the innards, with a steel billet crankshaft, big-bore pistons, special cams, freer-flowing cylinder heads and custom-tailored ECU. Exhaust exits through a stainless-steel system with high-performance metal catalysts and quad exhaust tips.
The Brabus 6.1 E-Class convertible is rated at 456 horsepower and 453 pound-feet of torque. It can propel the E-Class drop top from zero to 60 mph in less than 4.7 seconds. An ordinary, 382-hp E550 Cabriolet needs about 5.3 seconds to hit 60 mph. Top speed is 186 mph for the Brabus convertible.
The Brabus aero kit for the E-Class cabrio includes a front spoiler with integrated LED daytime running lights, front fenders with integrated air intakes and a rear spoiler.
Customers can order one-piece or multi-piece Brabus Monoblock alloy rims in sizes up to 19 inches, with a choice of Pirelli or Yokohama performance tires. Brabus says 20-inch wheel/tire combinations will be available shortly for those who don't know when to stop.
Suspension options include sport springs that lower ride height by 1.2 inches and height-adjustable coil-overs with variable-rate dampers. High-performance brakes feature six-piston aluminum fixed calipers in front (four-pot units in the rear), plus vented and perforated front discs.
Buyers can choose from a variety of wood and leather interior treatments, as well as carbon fiber accents. All cars come with stainless steel scuff plates and the illuminated Brabus logo.
Inside Line says: In stock form, the 2011 E550 Cabriolet is a luxury convertible for those who aren't in a hurry. Stuffing in a 6.1-liter V8 should crank up the heat a bit. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
Add A Comment »
alpine6speed says:
08:32 AM, 04/12/2010
That car si disgusting looking with that areo kit. It looks better stock and I Bet the Brabus stuff is grossly over priced.
omairkhanzada says:
03:58 PM, 04/09/2010
mainly cause they're over priced
fuhteng says:
10:42 AM, 04/09/2010
Who buys Brabus-mobiles? Alexander Ovehckiclensolanmve (that hokey player) and... um... who?