Inden Design Turns 2009MY Mercedes-Benz S500 into 2011MY S65 AMG Lookalike

If you happen to own a pre-facelift Mercedes-Benz S500 W221 and want to spiff it up both cosmetically and mechanically, German tuning firm Inden Design has presented a new package for Stuttgart’s premium sedan. The styling concept is to bring the S500 in line with the refreshed S65 AMG, which was revealed in the spring of 2009.

Inden Design adds the facelifted S65 AMG’s bodykit including the front bumper assembly with the LED daytime running lights, the rear diffuser, tail lamps, mirrors, side skirts and beefier wheel arches. A matte grey wrap for the body and new 20-inch alloy wheels shod in tires size 265/30 at the front and 275/30 at the back are also part of the package.

Inside, the German tuner trimmed the S500’s cabin in a mix of Alcantara and black and white two-tone leathers while all decorative wood trims were replaced with black carbon fiber parts.

Under the skin, a performance kit bumps the 5.0-liter V8’s output to 420HP while other go-fast features include a sports exhaust system, 6-piston front calipers and 4-piston brake calipers from the S600 V12 and a lowering kit.

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Brabus Presents the World’s First Euro 6 Compliant Performance Kit for Diesel Models

Mercedes-Benz tuning specialist Brabus has presented a new ECO PowerXtra D6S performance kit for the S350 BlueTec, and by doing so, the company claims to have created the world’s first tuned diesel-powered car that meets the Euro 6 emissions standard, scheduled to go into effect in 2014. Available for both rear-while drive and 4MATIC four-wheel drive variants, the kit delivers an additional 55HP and 70 Nm (52 lb-ft) of torque, for a total of 313HP and 690 Nm (509 lb-ft).

Designed to work like a plug-and-play device, the module increases the 3.0-liter V6 diesel’s output depending on the selected shift mode of the 7G-Tronic Plus automatic transmission. In “Eco” mode, peak torque increases, but the engine output remains unchanged (258HP), while in “Manual” or “Sport” mode maximum power is also boosted.

The modified S350 sprints from standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) in a very respectable 6.5 seconds and can reach an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).

The Brabus ECO PowerXtra D6S unit can be also fitted to all Mercedes E350 CDI BlueEfficiency variants as well as the CLS 350 CDI BlueEfficiency model, delivering identical output.

All models come with a three-year or 100,000 km (62,000 miles) warranty and can be specified with a custom Brabus stainless-steel exhaust with 4 tailpipes, delivering a more distinctive exhaust note and further optimizing power yield.

By Csaba Daradics

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VIDEO: 2011 Audi A8 Commercial Mocks the Mercedes S-Class

With its new commercial for the 2011 A8, Audi of America is opening a fresh chapter in the advertisement wars. Taking inspiration from the 1947 children’s book Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, the ad portrays S-Class owners as gluttonous people with an excessive lifestyle, representing the age of “old luxury”. The 60 second clip is said to be a prelude to the upcoming Super Bowl TV spot, set to air in the first break on Super Bowl Sunday, February 6, 2011. Hit the jump to watch the video.

By Csaba Daradics

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BRABUS SV12 R Biturbo 800 Claims the Title of World’s Most Powerful Luxury Sedan

This here is the all-new Mercedes-Benz S-Class-based Brabus SV12 R Biturbo 800. With 800 hp (597 kW) and 1,047 lb-ft (1,420 Nm) on tap, the R800 sets a new milestone in the luxury segment, while dwarfing the S65 AMG in the process.

This luxo-barge-on-steroids uses the same V12 engine that originally came with the BRABUS E V12. That means that the displacement has been increased from 5.5 to 6.3 liters (336 to 385 cui), by using a special crankshaft with longer stroke, larger pistons and corresponding larger bore.

A new air intake is also used, alongside high-performance manifolds and water-to-air intercoolers.

While the engine is capable of delivering a peak torque of 1,047 lb-ft (1,420 Nm) at 2,100 rpm, for technical reasons (as in not to tear apart the transmission) it has been limited to 'just' 811 lb-ft or 1,100 Nm. Even so, the five-speed automatic transmission had to be thoroughly strengthened.

BRABUS claims that the SV12 R Biturbo 800 is also the world's fastest luxury sedan with an electronically limited(!) top speed of 217 mph (350 km/h). Breaking the 62 mph (100 km/h) "barrier" in just 3.9 seconds is no small feat either.

Naturally, the suspension, brakes and aerodynamics have been heavily modified, so that your average oligarch can safely wring every ounce of performance out of this beast.

Wheels come in three sizes, from 19 to 21 inches, and in four "flavors": three-piece forged and high-gloss polished BRABUS Monoblock VI wheels with six double spokes, multi-spoke Monoblock E wheels, Monoblock S wheels with double-spoke design and Monoblock F PLATINUM EDITION forged wheels with cross-spoke design. Pirelli or Yokohama offer the matching rubber, in sizes 265/30 (front) and 295/30 (rear).

The tour de force continues in the cabin, where countless combinations of leather or Alcantara and exclusive wood trim sets are available. The iBusiness multimedia system deserves a special note, as it's for the very first time that various Apple components have been fully integrated into the vehicle electronics of the Mercedes S-Class.

There's no information on the price yet, but surely it will match all the other specs. And who cares? If you really want the fastest opulence there is, you'll surely find a way to "has it..."

By Csaba Daradics

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