What car is still exclusive nowadays? A lot of car manufacturers sell more and more cars and even tuners make more and more cars. We all know that the market is getting more and more individualistic and tuners use that. Nowadays, a car can be just like a suit, specially made for you and unique. We visited Brabus to drive a really special car, the Brabus CLS Shooting Brake B50.
The tuner which is based in Bottrop shows us their tuning since 1977. Nowadays, almost 10,000 cars are built every year, at several locations throughout the world. This can vary from a new set of wheels to a complete engine rebuild. Customers have the opportunity to choose something they personally like and want to have. The company gave us the opportunity to drive one of the most outstanding Mercedes-Benzes at this moment, the CLS Shooting Brake. But this is one copy in a Brabus suit.
Mercedes-Benz made a unique model with the CLS Shooting Brake. The Shooting Brake isn’t a car you buy for its space, because you can already choose for a E-Class Wagon. It’s a car you buy when you’re looking for something special but meanwhile don’t want to lose any comfort or space. This is a true lifestyle product. Lifestyle products are often unnecessary and more expensive but it are the things you would love to have. It tells you something about the personality and the persons taste. With the Brabus bodykit, the car loses some elegance but it looks more sporty.
The new Mercedes-Benz CLS can’t be compared with its predecessor. This model has a smaller nose and sloping back and it looks way more graceful. With this model, the Germans create a new niche market for Shooting Brakes. We expect to see more of these models in the near future. Brabus accentuates the powerful lines even better with their bodykit. We went out with a CLS which is equipped with a styling package. This package consists a front spoiler, which is available in carbon fiber and strengthened plastic. Behind the front fenders we see some extra air intakes which make the CLS Shooting Brake look even more powerful. On the sideskirts, we see two Brabus logos, just like we see on the front on the grille. A Brabus normally has no logos of Mercedes-Benz although some owners prefer these logos. The back of the Brabus CLS is shaped by a diffuser, spoiler and four chrome exhausts. This model is completed with 20 inch Brabus wheels which fit perfectly with the subtle styling kit. If you want a more brutal bodykit, that’s no problem but we suggest to go for a Brabus supercar instead. But if you really want a one-off, you just need to have a lot of money and a lot of patience and within a few months you’ll be driving your own one-off Brabus.
Brabus has a lot of options regarding engine tuning. It all starts with the B50, based on the CLS 500. A PowerXtra CGI unit by Brabus gives the V8 an extra 92 hp and 120 Nm of torque. This makes it a total of 500 hp and 720 Nm of torque, this makes it comparable with the AMG models. At request, the top speed can be increased to 275 and even 300 kph. More powerful is the B63 which produces 585 hp and 620 hp. The real fireworks is the B63S which produces up to 730 hp. That are all optional power boosts at Brabus.
When we step behind the steering wheel of the Brabus, it are the details which tell you that this is something special. Nice details are the aluminum gear shifters behind the steering wheel, Brabus speedometers and LED lighting. Those who want to have a completely individual toy have to spend some extra money to get a completely refurbished interior. The possibilities are endless and what’s better than an interior, completely made for you. The B50, with its 500 hp, is a very fast car but the strongest point of the car is the peace with which the Shooting Brake accelerates. The sprint to 100 kph still takes only 4.7 seconds, just as long as the old E 55 AMG needs for this sprint. But this E 55 AMG, with its 5.4 liter compressor engine, does this with a lot of sound and aggression while the Brabus B50 is the complete opposite. You’ll still hear the V8 with sometimes a roar when you shift gears, but you won’t hear as much as you’ll hear with the E 55 AMG. It fits the car but you’ll sometimes miss this hammering sound. The air suspension makes sure you’re transported in high comfort. The danger of these cars is the fact that you’ll easily reach illegal speeds without losing any comfort. The steering of the CLS Shooting Brake is very direct and precise.
Flexibility in a sporty suit, that’s the right name for the Brabus CLS Shooting Brake B50. The tuner from Bottrop combines the best of both worlds. A unique lifestyle product which is made even more special. It’s the perfect cocktail for those who’re looking for an individual product with a sporty performance and still enough comfort. Brabus wants to have €105,000.- Euros excluding taxes for the copy we drove lately.
