Brabus kit improves diesel Mercedes power

German tuner Brabus does most of its work with big-displacement, big-power engines, mostly for Mercedes-Benz (though Smart products get the Brabus treatment from time to time as well). On Monday, it proved that it can do the same with the company’s oil burners. It’ll also sell you a Mercedes diesel with Brabus upgrades already installed.

The 3.0-liter Mercedes BlueTec engine usually puts out about 240 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque. Adding the Brabus Power Xtra DS6 module raises both of those numbers by about 50. Output on the GL and ML diesels, both of which are available in the U.S., grows to 306 hp and 509 lb-ft of torque available from 1,600 rpm. Brabus says that, depending on driving style, fuel economy can be even improved over production models. Notice they said “can” and not “will.” We’d guess the type of buyer who would spring for this kit would also be the type of driver who floors it from a stoplight.

Diesel versions of the CLS, S and E-Class all get bumps as well, though currently we don’t get those rides here. The Power Xtra kit costs $2,418, converted from euros.

Brabus also offers complete diesel vehicles with pre-installed upgrades. All come well equipped, according to Brabus, and include leather appointments, the COMAND multimedia system, voice control and some other Brabus customized bits. The ML 350 starts at $103,666 while the GL 350 starts at $111,842, both converted from euros.

Go to www.brabus-usa.com for more information.

By Jake Lingeman