There is just something wonky about the nose from some angles. Despite being a technical tour de force as always, the base SL550 is the most-plain of the bunch that also includes the SL63 AMG and SL65 AMG in the US market.
BRABUS makes a wicked 800 V12 Roadster for that is the most hardcore SL in recent memory — but is it too much for some shoppers?
What the SL550 needs is a bit of extra love, and extra shove, to have the visual and sonic intensity of its peers.
The SL550 runs a near-identical twin-turbocharged V8 as the SL63, but lacks the AMG car’s extra rasp, extra power, and extra thumping exhaust note. The catalog even includes a locking rear differential option for those who want to enjoy some serious drifting passion in their top-down driving days.
BRABUS is the go-to supplier to reinvigorate the R231 SL Roadster with extra power and extra design exclusivity. Here we can look see the BRABUS upgrades for the SL with the AMG Sport pack in Silver, plus the BRABUS upgrades for the SL in standard body styling in black. The extra intensity for both is a worthwhile path to making the outstanding R231 SL550 live up to its potential both visually and as a driver’s car.
The parts can be shipped directly to you around the world, or US customers can have their cars upgraded at Brabus USA in Southern California.
BRABUS Mercedes-Benz SL550 R231
With AMG Sport
NEWS RELEASE BRABUS refines the new Mercedes SL Roadster Exclusive refinement for a unique automobile: BRABUS (Brabus-Allee, D-46240 Bottrop, phone + 49 / (0) 2041 / 777-0, fax + 49 / (0) 2041 / 777 111, Internet www.brabus.com) now also customizes the sixth generation of the Mercedes SL. The measures include a striking BRABUS designer outfit, thrilling alloy wheels up to 20 inches in diameter, even more agile handling as a result of professional suspension tuning, a power increase to 520 hp (512 bhp) / 382 kW for a top speed of up to 300 km/h (186 mph) for the 500 SL, and interior options custom-tailored to the owner’s personal style.
Sporty-elegant body styling components, tuned in the wind tunnel for maximum aerodynamic efficiency, are the BRABUS designers’ specialty. With or without AMG Sport package: Custom-tailored front fasciae, add-on components for the side sills and rear fasciae were developed for both body styles of the SL. There is also a BRABUS rear spoiler and side air vents for the front fenders. For a perfect fit all components are manufactured in OEM quality from high-grade PUR plastics. Just as important for a custom look are the OEM-quality BRABUS Monoblock wheels, which can be mounted on the new roadster in four different designs and with diameters of 18, 19 and 20 inches. The largest combination to fit the R 231 model series SL features BRABUS Monoblock F, Q or R wheels in size 9Jx20 in front with size 255/30 ZR 20 tires and size 9.5Jx20 wheels with 295/25 ZR 20 tires on the rear axle.
BRABUS Mercedes-Benz SL550
Without AMG Sport Pack
BRABUS recommends high-performance tires from Continental, Pirelli and YOKOHAMA. To be able to further improve upon the already high level of driving dynamics of the new Mercedes roadster BRABUS has developed custom-tailored suspension components in collaboration with technology partner BILSTEIN. BRABUS sport springs are available for the SL 350 with conventional steel suspension. For all SL models with active ABC suspension the BRABUS suspension engineers have developed an electronic module that lowers the ride height by about 25 millimeters. This makes the SL 500 the perfect beneficiary of even more power.
The BRABUS B50 – 520 PowerXtra CGI power kit wrestles an additional 85 horsepower from the 4.7-liter eight-cylinder Biturbo engine. BRABUS recommends using fully synthetic high-performance motor oil from MOTUL. The BRABUS PowerXtra module with plug-and-play design is integrated into the engine electronics to generate more power as a result of special mapping for injection and ignition as well as of moderately increased boost pressure. But that’s just one part of the equation. The conversion also includes an auxiliary water-to-air intercooler powered by an auxiliary electric pump. The drop in charge air temperature benefits not only power yield but also engine life even under extreme operating conditions such as in the desert, for example. After the conversion the engine puts 520 hp (512 bhp) / 382 kW instead of the standard 435 hp (429 bhp) / 320 kW on tap, accompanied by a peak torque of 820 Nm (604 lb-ft).
BRABUS SL ROADSTER CATALOG
Front spoiler
| 231-200-00 |
BRABUS Front spoilerPUR-R-Rim
|
|
| 231-215-00 |
BRABUS front bumper add oncarbon, glossy |
|
| 231-215-10 |
BRABUS front bumper add oncarbon, matt |
|
| 231-220-00 |
BRABUS Front bumperPUR-R-Rim |
|
| 231-263-00 |
BRABUS front spoilercarbon glossy |
|
| 231-263-10 |
BRABUS front spoilercarbon matte |
Side skirts
| 231-300-00 |
BRABUS Side skirtsPUR |
|
| 231-320-00 |
BRABUS Side skirtsPUR |
Rear bumper
| 231-400-00 |
BRABUS Rear bumper insertPUR-R-Rim |
|
| 231-420-00 |
BRABUS Rear bumper insertPUR-R-Rim |
|
| 231-463-00 |
BRABUS Rear bumper insertcarbon glossy |
|
| 231-463-10 |
BRABUS Rear bumper insertcarbon matt |
Rear spoiler
| 231-450-00 |
BRABUS Rear spoilerPUR |
Fenders
| 231-550-00 |
BRABUS air vent for fender frontwith illuminated BRABUS Logo, PUR |
Special equipment
| 211-000-14 |
BRABUS logo for tailgatechrome |
|
| 218-000-20 |
BRABUS logo front
|
|
| 219-000-22 |
BRABUS logo for side of the carSet |
|
| 230-000-21-2 |
BRABUS logo on bonnetReplaces MB star |
Wheels
Accessories
| (ABE) |
General technical admission (GTA)no modification required |
|
| * |
no modifications required
|
|
| ** |
modifications required, version Ifor sufficent wheel coverage and clearance |
|
| *** |
modifications required, version IIfor sufficent wheel coverage and clearance |
|
| **** |
modifications required, version IIIfor sufficent wheel coverage and clearance |
|
| + |
Installation Monoblock wheelseach wheel |
|
| 000-100-16 |
BRABUS aluminium hubcapSet, with engraved BRABUS logo |
|
| RS-… |
Wheel locksfor BRABUS Monoblock light alloy wheels |
|
| VG-02-AL |
BRABUS valve capsSet |
Sports suspension
| 000-101-98 |
Electronic alignment
|
|
| 231-006-00 |
BRABUS sports springs R 231For SL 350 with standard suspension, comfortable setting |
|
| 231-008-00 |
BRABUS sports springs R 231For SL 500 with standard suspension, comfortable setting |
|
| 231-106-00 |
BRABUS suspension module for loweringFor vehilces with ABC suspension (SA 487) incl. SL 63 AMG |
RDK sensors (system Schrader)
| RDK-SCH1-433MHz |
RDK sensor systemfor BRABUS Monoblock light alloy wheels |
Sports exhaust systems
| 231-676-00 |
BRABUS sports exhaust SL 350 / SL 500*consisting of: 1 x rear silencer left side, 1 x rear silencer right side incl. connection pipe with four slanted tailpipes, � 84 mm, stainless steel |
|
| 231-678-63 |
BRABUS valve controlled exhaust system for SL 63 and SL 65Valve-controlled (loud/quiet) |
Instruments
| 231-830-200 |
BRABUS speedometer 200 mphShine-through dial, black speedometer plates |
|
| 231-830-320 |
BRABUS speedometer 320 km/hNot for SL63/65! |
|
| 231-830-360 |
BRABUS speedometer 360 km/hShine-through dial, black speedometer plates |
Precious wood / carbon fibre interiors
| – |
Special interiorsin precious wood or carbon fibre |
Gearshift levers, aluminium trim sets
| 000-805-100 |
BRABUS shift paddlesAluminium |
|
| 000-805-150-01 |
BRABUS shift paddles “RACE”Set,aluminium matt |
|
| 000-805-50 |
BRABUS shift paddles for AMG
|
|
| 172-816-00 |
BRABUS aluminium pedal padsmatte elox, 2-piece |
|
| 215-819-00 |
BRABUS doorlock pinsSet, chrome |
|
| 231-350-00 |
BRABUS entrance panel bi-color-stainless-steelwith illuminated BRABUS logo |
Complete interior appointments
| 000-805-90 |
Steering wheel outer section to be covered in leather / Alcantara *
|
|
| 000-805-91 |
Steering wheel outer section (AMG versions) to be covered in leather / Alcantara *
|
|
| 000-805-92 |
Surcharge for design version different from standard *
|
|
| 000-805-93 |
Steering wheel reverse side to be covered in leather / Alcantara *
|
|
| 231-857-00 |
BRABUS leather / altcantara interior trim *for 2 front seats with headrests. Colour of leather, strips and seams by request. |
|
| 231-857-01 |
Additional charge for seats with ventilated seats *
|
|
| 231-857-02 |
2 door panels complete in leather/alcantara *
|
|
| 231-857-03 |
Complete door panels in leather/alcantara *incl. storage trays |
|
| 231-857-04 |
Rear panel in leather/alcantara *
|
|
| 231-857-05 |
Set of sunvisors to be covered in leather / Alcantara *
|
|
| 231-857-06 |
Boot mat in quilted leather incl. headliner section *
|
|
| 231-857-08 |
Set of seat back covers for front seats incl. storage bags in leather/Alcantara *
|
|
| 231-857-09 |
Boot in quilted leather *Price on request! |
|
| 231-857-10 |
BRABUS leather / altcantara interior trim *for 2 front seats with headrests. Colour of leather, strips and seams by request |
|
| 231-857-11 |
Floor mats 2- piece R231 in quilted leather with stitched BRABUS logo *
|
|
| 231-857-12 |
Boot mat in quilted leather with stitched BRABUS logo *
|
|
| 231-857-13 |
Steering wheel airbag to be covered in leather/ Alcantara *
|
|
| 231-857-15 |
Speedometer cover to be covered in leather/alcantara *
|
|
| 231-857-16 |
Covers for 2 front seats to be covered in leather/ Alcantara *
|
|
| 231-857-17 |
Gear shift lever to be covered in leather/Alcantara *
|
|
| 231-857-18 |
Surcharge for vehicles with AIRSACARF *
|
|
| 231-857-20 |
Center console armrest in leather/alcantara *
|
|
| 231-858-00 |
Dashboard upper section in leather/Alcantara *
|
|
| 231-858-01 |
Dashboard lower section/ left and right (glovebox) to be covered completely in leather/ Alcantara *
|
|
| 231-858-02 |
Middle console with armrest to be covered completely in leather *
|
|
| 231-858-03 |
Headliner incl. covers for left and right of rear window in leather/alcantara to be covered in leather/Alcantara *
|
|
| 231-858-05 |
Cabriolet roof lid incl. side covers to be covered in leather/Alcantara *
|
|
| 231-858-06 |
Complete vehicle floor in quilted leather *
|
|
| 231-871-00N |
Floor mats R231Velours with BRABUS Logo and Nubuk edging nero* |
|
| 231-872-00N |
Boot mat R231Velour with BRABUS Logo and nubuk edging nero* |
Powertrain
| 231-900-00 |
BRABUS differential lockSpreader segments with 40% locking rate |
PowerXtra CGI Performance Kits
| 231-750-20-250 |
BRABUS performance kit B50-520Base SL 500 |
|
| 231-750-20-275 |
BRABUS performance kit B50-520Base SL 500 |
|
| 231-750-20-300 |
BRABUS performance kit B50-520Base SL 500 |
|
| 231-755-10-300 |
BRABUS performance kit B63-620Base SL 63 |
|
| 231-755-11-300 |
BRABUS performance kit B63-620Base SL 63 |
|
| 231-755-20-300 |
BRABUS performance kit B63-650Base SL 63 |
|
| 231-755-20-310 |
BRABUS performance kit B63-650Base SL 63 |
|
| 231-755-20-320 |
BRABUS performance kit B63-650Base SL 63 |
|
| 231-755-30-300 |
BRABUS performance kit B63-650Base SL 63 |
|
| 231-755-30-310 |
BRABUS performance kit B63-650Base SL 63 |
|
| 231-755-30-320 |
BRABUS performance kit B63-650Base SL 63 |
|
| 231-755-800 |
BRABUS 800Base SL 65 |
|
| 231-755-B63S |
BRABUS performance kit B63S-730Basis SL 63 with and without performance package; 537 kW / 730 PS; 1.065 Nm, Vmax: 350 km/h / 217 mph |
Increased-displacement engines
| 231-769RS-00 |
BRABUS 850 6.0 BiturboBase SL63 |
Consequently the two-seater accelerates to 100 km/h in just 4.4 seconds. The BRABUS Vmax unit, another component of the engine tuning, allows limiting the top speed electronically to 250, 275 or 300 km/h (155, 172, 186 mph). A BRABUS stainless-steel sport exhaust system with four chrome-plated tailpipes is indispensable for an SL with BRABUS high-performance engine. It is also perfect for all roadster owners longing for a sportier exhaust note and a more striking rear appearance of their two-seater. BRABUS will offer a version with butterfly valve for the SL 500 shortly. It will allow choosing between a soft and a thrillingly sporty exhaust note via a button on the steering wheel. The BRABUS limited-slip differential with a locking rate of 40 percent can improve handling even further.
The two-seated cockpit can receive even more individual character and luxury attributes at BRABUS. The product lineup ranges from scuff plates with backlit BRABUS logo and a speedometer with 320-km/h or 360-km/h dial (200 mph or 225 mph) to carbon-fiber or fine wood trim sets in any imaginable color and with a variety of surface finishes. The company upholstery shop creates exquisite BRABUS interiors from especially soft yet durable BRABUS Mastik leather and Alcantara. BRABUS.
Additional BRABUS information is available on our website at
www.brabus.com
Tom Burkart is the founder and managing editor of Car-Revs-Daily.com, an innovative and rapidly-expanding automotive news magazine.
He holds a Journalism JBA degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Tom currently resides in Charleston, South Carolina with his two amazing dogs, Drake and Tank.
Mr. Burkart is available for all questions and concerns by email Tom(at)car-revs-daily.com.