 The Stuttgart-based brand
2008
|
BRABUS Widestar almost ready for productionThere was absolutely no doubt in the mind of Professor Bodo Buschmann, President of Mercedes customization specialist BRABUS, "Even in the face of the extreme rework that characterizes the vehicles at SEMA, we were going to stick firmly to our principles and go for a more practicable solution.
READER COMMENTS
|
HOME
| CARS AND VEHICLES |
MERCEDES-BENZ
P. CARS |
GLK-CLASS
| MOTORIST LIFESTYLE |
MOTORSPORTS |
SHOWROOM |
OLDTIMER | 
Our GLK Widestar grabs attention with its stunning
appearance, while at the same time, offering a high degree of everyday usability
in all conditions." And thus, it is fair to say that, among the four tuning
competitors, the GLK Widestar represents the "European" solution. The SUV
was conceived by development engineers on the basis of automotive pragmatism
that stands by classic Mercedes-Benz characteristics. The Widestar is an
interpretation of the GLK as an on-road machine with corner-hugging agility
that also pays tribute to the high levels of refinement associated with Mercedes
vehicles. That doesn't mean that the BRABUS GLK is merely a "good boy" among
the SEMA stars. Far from it - one look is all it takes to capture the muscular
stance of the Widestar bodyshell, which has been broadened by 50mm, incorporating
beautifully integrated flared wheel arches that carry through to the front
of the vehicle with distinctive air intake fins. Customised front and rear
bumpers, LED daytime running lights, side skirts, a roof spoiler with LED
lights (position lights) and all-new LED lighting units above the front
windshield complete the reworked bodyshell. A custom paint process adds an
unparalleled depth of lustre to the black paint finish. "It was an interesting
challenge," comments Ulrich Gauffrés, Head of Research and Development
at BRABUS, "to bring even more fascination to the already distinctive GLK.
Our Widestar underscores the characteristic edge
of the original GLK-Class design." The flared wheel arches are home to 21
inch wheels clad in 295/30 ZR 21 rubber. Together with the BRABUS chassis
kit that lowers ride height by 30 mm, and a high-performance brake system,
the Widestar demonstrates the true on-road potential of the GLK-Class. The
necessary propulsion is provided courtesy of a reworked V6 diesel engine
based on the 320 BlueTEC unit with ground-breaking AdBlue technology from
other models currently available in the USA. Thanks to the ECO PowerXtra
tuning kit, the Widestar engine generates 190 kW/258 hp and delivers 610
Nm of torque. All of this comes together to provide outstanding performance
figures. The dash from 0-100 km/h is over in 6.9 seconds and the Widestar
powers on to reach a top speed of 240 km/h. Despite the increase in performance,
the Widestar remains well within the most stringent emissions standards set
in Europe (EU5) and the U.S. (BIN 5 / ULEV). At an average of 8.4 litres
per 100 km (NEDC), fuel consumption is also extremely modest*.