Fast, Black, Expensive; Subtle elegance costs money; how fast do you wanna go?(News)

Byline: PATRICK C. PATERNIE

Scissor doors, spinner rims and other things that go bling in the night may do it for the pimp-my-riders gathered at SEMA, but we're not in Vegas anymore. Bottrop, Germany, is a long way from the Strip, which is okay, because we're at Brabus, the world's largest Mercedes aftermarket tuner where the inches that count measure engine displacement, not wheel size.

A good example is the CLS500. The engine bay holds a 6.1-liter built using a custom-machined block-based on the 5.5-liter V8 in the E55 AMG-which is fitted with a longer-stroke crankshaft and larger pistons. New heads, bigger valves, stronger valve springs and hotter camshafts are also part of the deal. A freer-flowing stainless-steel exhaust system, headers and catalytic converters enhance engine breathing. Updates to the

engine management system complete the changes that produce 445 hp at 6000 rpm and 469 lb-ft of torque.

Considering the supercharged CLS55 AMG puts out 469 hp, why bother with this engine? Or why not wait for the supercharged Brabus CLS55 that will make 550 hp?

"This [the 6.1-liter] is a classic cubic-inch engine," said Uli Gauffres, Brabus vp of R&D. Even though he worked in advanced diesel engine development at Mercedes before joining Brabus almost 20 years ago, Gauffres has the attitude of an old-school hot rodder. He loves instant gratification.

"It is a very good fit for the car because it is normally aspirated, so it is very sporty with good throttle response plus very high speed. You do not have to wait until the supercharger makes boost. That means lower fuel consumption. We have a lot of customers asking for this car."