German tuners Brabus and Carlsson have drawn the battle lines and will both be displaying their tuning packages for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class S 204 Estate at the upcoming Essen Motor Show.
Being in the business for longer than most of its Mercedes-tuning competitiors (three decades) bodes well for Brabus, which has a kit conversion for every engine in the range. The C 200 CDI recieves an extra 29 kW, while the new torque output stands at 385 N.m. The C 220 CDI is upgraded to 162 kW and total torque figure of 480 N.m. The top-of-the-turbodiesel-line C 320 CDI recieves a 38 kW upgrade, taking the power to 203 kW and torque is upped to 590 N.m. Performance figures are estimated to be 6,9 seconds for the zero to 100 km/h sprint and a 250 km/h top speed.
The petrol powered V6 models, the C 280 and C 350 are the recipients of a Brabus 4,0-litre engine. The displacement of the V6 engine has been increased with the help of a special crankshaft with longer stroke and larger cylinder bore with larger pistons. The four valve heads have been optimised for flow and fitted with custom camshafts. A new engine management and stainless-steel high-performance exhaust system complete the package. The 4,0-litre engine now produces 244 kW and 420 N.m of torque at 4 200 r/min. Acceleration from zero to 100 km/h takes 5,9 seconds and the top speed is 275 km/h.
Brabus sports suspensions come as standard, comprising of a lowering kit and sport sway bars – custom developed fot the S 204, while the largest wheel options come in 19-inch in three Brabus designs and are wrapped in 265/30 ZR 19 rubber at the rear.
Other enhancements come in the form of an aerodynamically efficient bodykit and interior niceties such as an ergonomically shaped sports steering wheel, aluminium pedals, 300 km/h speedometer and carbon-fiber and premium wood trim sets.
Hot on the heels of the crew at Brabus, Carlsson has also released tuning programmes for the C 220 CDI and C 320 CDI, though these figures differ somewhat from the Brabus tuning. Carlsson’s C 220 CDI only makes 152 kW, but the peak amount of torque is equal to that of the Brabus kit. The C 320 CDI’s power output of 201 kW doesn’t quite match the bar set by Brabus, but the massive peak torque of 612 N.m gives Carlsson the bragging rights where the turbodiesels are concerned.
The C 350’s 3,5-litre V6 engine has been enhanced by the same CK35 performance kit that does service in the SLK Carlsson uses for long distance racing on the Nürburgring. Producing 217 kW and 385 N.m through a couple of minor upgrades, the CK35 makes its voice hard through a stainless steel sports rear silencer with four oval tailpipes and its top speed is 270 km/h.
Due to Carlsson’s active involvement in motorsports , the aerodynamic kit, consisting of a front apron, side skirts, diffuser-look rear apron and a rear spoiler does add a bt of a sporting touch without making the car look too flashy. Sitting low on a race-derived suspension kit, the Carlsson C-Class Estate’s wheel arches are filled with single-piece 11-spoke wheels finished in highly polished silver paint.
Carlsson says that the materials used for the interior, turn this Estate into a smaller S-Class – though if you have spare change lying around after splashing out on the initial kit, the tuner will be glad to customise the interior to your liking.
The Essen Motor Show has often been called the “SEMA of Europe”, so you can bet your bottom dollar that other Mercedes-Benz tuning specialists the like of Kleeman, Lorinser and Renntech will also have their wares (more S 204 C-Class Estates) on display come December 1st 2007.
