Brabus tunes Mercedes-Benz GLK

Yes, this is the same Mercedes-Benz GLK that broke cover in New York during the Sex and the City movie, but we guarantee Carrie, Sam, Miranda and Charlotte wouldn't be caught dead in it.

That's because German tuner Brabus took the standard Mercedes GLK and made it into a 200-mph freight train.

The go-fast guys started by wedging a Mercedes-sourced, twin-turbo V12 into the GLK's engine bay. The new mill produces 750 hp at 5,500 rpm and a gravity-bending 811 lb-ft of torque. This will get you to 62 mph in 4.2 seconds and up to 125 mph in about eight more.

After that, the tuners added signature Brabus Widestar front and rear clips. The Widestar, which was developed by Brabus in the wind tunnel, gets gaping vents in front for radiator and brake cooling. That, plus the carbon-fiber spoiler lip, minimizes aerodynamic lift on the front end.

The rear of the kit features exhaust cut-outs for the custom Brabus sport exhaust and a centrally located reflector. A roof spoiler also is added. Fender flares with courtesy LED lights adorn the sides. It also added an adjustable coil-over sport suspension for stability at speed.

Brabus is a full-service tuner. It offers five choices of wheels, up to size 22, interior upgrades with wood or carbon fiber, and tailored consoles for the backs of the seats.

This is an exclusive vehicle, to say the least. The Brabus GLK V12 starts at about $580,000. Yes, you can buy two Ferrari 458 Italias for that. But you can't fit 50 boxes of shoes in a Ferrari.

By JAKE LINGEMAN