Brabus cleans up its act

Car makers are so keen to go green, even the horsepower-crazy German tuning houses are getting in on the act!

Brabus, the firm behind the likes of the 720bhp C-Class-based Bullit, has introduced a range of tuning kits for Mercedes diesels. The ECO PowerXtra module not only increases bhp and torque outputs, but reduces CO2 emissions and fuel consumption, too.

It can be fitted to any of the brand’s oil-burning CDI models, and bosses say upping torque at low engine speeds is the key. There’s even a kit for the already economical E300 BLUETEC – that makes Brabus the first tuner to meet stringent new Euro V emissions regulations, which don’t come into effect until 2011.

But don’t worry, the tuning expert hasn’t turned its back on what it does best. It has also released the first picture of its take on the facelifted Mercedes SL. The roadster has a 6.3-litre twin-turbo V12 pumping out 730bhp and 1,100Nm of torque.