Maserati GranCabrio Sport, 2012

 

 

 

 

 Maserati GranCabrio Sport, 2012

The Maserati has taken the Gran Cabrio convertible to a new level of performance with the new Maserati Gran Cabrio Sport.

With more power, a faster gearshift and a distinctively aggressive look, the Maserati Gran Cabrio Sport has given Maserati a harder-edged convertible to sit alongside the Gran Turismo S and the Quattroporte Sport GT S as the performance flagships of their respective ranges.

With a 285km/h top speed and a 0-100km/h sprint of just 5.2 seconds, the Maserati Gran Cabrio Sport is brimming with performance and luxury refinements both inside the cabin and underneath its award-winning body panels.
Its six-speed transmission includes a super-fast MC Auto Shift mode and has been developed for the Maserati Gran Cabrio Sport directly from the transmission in the Quattroporte Sport GT S.

The handling has been enhanced for greater speed, too, with an upgrade and revision of the Skyhook active-suspension system and the adoption of a more-responsive brake package.
Visually, the Maserati Gran Cabrio Sport is characterized by a more-pronounced dynamic look. This look begins with the Gran Cabrio's distinctive nose and continues with a host of small, perfectly integrated changes throughout the body and the interior.

The Exterior Design
Maserati's design team worked to provide a more-aggressive look that sat in harmony with the Gran Cabrio's critically acclaimed styling.

A series of relatively small upgrades in critical areas have created an integrated, dynamic design that immediately differentiates the Maserati Gran Cabrio Sport from the rest of the Gran Cabrio range and identifies it with both the Quattroporte Sport GT S and the Gran Turismo S.

It introduces a new colour, Rosso Trionfale - a classic red that pays tribute to the championship-winning Maserati racing cars of the 1950s. It's a colour that highlights the Maserati Gran Cabrio Sport's strong personality, yet maintains its elegant and slim look.
The strong, distinctive Gran Cabrio grille receives even more character with a new black colour, while the grille's Maserati Trident receives the red accents that are reserved for the fastest car in each of Maserati's model ranges. These red accents are also found on the Quattroporte Sport GT S and the Gran Turismo S.

The headlights now have a black look with white reflectors, while front corner splitters and the redesigned side skirts are both body coloured. The Shadow line, with its dark look around the base of the window glass, stresses the dramatic look of the car, strengthening its personality and pointing out the sinous lines of the body.

Besides adding to the aggressive style, the side skirts and the corner splitters were developed in the wind tunnel and add significantly to the car's aerodynamic efficiency reducing aerodynamic resistance and improving fuel consumption.
The dynamic look is finished with redesigned 20" Astro-design wheels and a pair of menacing, black oval exhaust tips. The wheels each feature three Tridents and create a lighter look to accentuate the higher performance.

The Interior Design
The more-aggressive look is carried over inside the open-topped cabin, with a new seat-face design and drilled aluminium pedals.

The Maserati Gran Cabrio Sport introduces changes to the gear-shifting system, with Maserati's Active Shifting paddles now standard. The paddles, drawn from the Trofeo racing car, are longer than the standard steering column-mounted paddles and make shifting easier in enthusiastic driving.

The Maserati Gran Cabrio Sport debuts two new interior colours in rich leather: Bianco Pregiato and Grigio Chrono. Bianco Pregiato is a more-pure white colour than the existing pearl colour and can be used everywhere except the top of the dashboard. Grigio Chrono is a darker grey, developed to complement the new Rosso Trionfale body colour.
To differentiate it further from the standard Gran Cabrio, the Maserati Gran Cabrio Sport badge will be positioned on the dashboard in front of the passenger.

While the front passenger seat matches the driver's seat by receiving adjustable lumbar support as standard, all four seats incorporate the new M-Design seat stitching.

The design reflects classical Maserati grille designs and replicates the design in the central seat panel, all crafted with Poltrona Frau's finest leather.
The Trident-embossed headrests can also be enhanced with customized stitching and customers can choose 13 different colours to contrast the leather of the seat.

The engine
The Maserati Gran Cabrio Sport uses the latest version of Maserati's sonorous, all-alloy 4.7-litre V8, taken straight from the high-performance Gran Turismo MC Stradale.
This naturally aspirated engine produces 450 horsepower (331kW) at 7000rpm: that is10hp more than the Gran Cabrio. It is also rich with torque, with a peak of 510Nm (20Nm more than the Gran Cabrio) arriving at 4750rpm. Eighty percent of its maximum torque is already available at just 2500rpm.

The performance increases are a result of Maserati's Friction Reduction Program, which has made the Maserati GranCabrio Sport's engine more reactive to the driver's most-nuanced inputs. This program included a revision of the oil sump's fluid dynamics and the application of a Diamond-Like Coating to the tappets and the super-finished camshaft lobes.

Besides added power, torque and responsiveness, the Friction Reduction Program has lowered the Maserati Gran Cabrio Sport's fuel consumption by six percent to a combined total of 14.5 litres/100km.

The new exhaust tips also help the Maserati Gran Cabrio Sport to give a richer engine sound when the bypass valves are activated. The valves are always open in Manual-Sport mode, while they are open above 2500rpm in Auto-Sport mode.

The exhaust system allows Maserati to hit its target of improving the car's performance and also give its customers access to a new open air musical theatre and a rich sound experience.
However, the valves are closed in Normal mode, giving the driver and passengers a quieter ride.

The Transmission
The Maserati Gran Cabrio Sport is the first Maserati to match the upgraded, 450hp version of the 4.7-litre engine with the day-to-day luxury of a fully automatic transmission.

The six-speed transmission includes the super-fast MC Auto Shift mode and has been developed for the Maserati Gran Cabrio Sport directly from the transmission in the Quattroporte Sport GT S.
The MC Auto Shift mode contains a launch-control mode and is active in both Manual Sport and Automatic Sport modes to provide faster gearshift times and to automatically "blip" the throttle during down-shifts.

To operate the MC Start Strategy (launch-control mode), the driver turns off the MSP in Auto Sport mode, then holds the brake pedal while pressing the accelerator. The driver should reach the optimum revs for a fast start (between 2300-2500rpm), and then simultaneously release the brake pedal and press the accelerator pedal completely. This manouvre is only recommended for use on a race track or in closed conditions of complete safety.

Like the Quattroporte Sport GT S, the MC Auto Shift gives the driver even-greater engagement by holding gears in the Manual Sport mode, even when the engine reaches its rev limiter, and introducing a digital in-dash display to indicate the ideal gear-shift timing.
The transmission gives the driver five distinct operating modes: Auto-Normal, Manual-Normal, Auto-Sport, Manual-Sport and Ice.

Chassis and Handling
The handling has received significant attention, with a new, sportier tune of the Skyhook active-suspension system and the adoption of grooved and drilled dual-cast brake discs.

The upgraded "Sport Skyhook" uses acceleration sensors to register wheel and chassis movement. It sends this data to a central processor, which also analyzes the road conditions and the driving style and instantly and precisely regulates the dampers to suit any situation.
With the Maserati Gran Cabrio Sport, the Skyhook system received upgraded management software and dampers to give a sharper focus on handling, grip and balance, while even the springs and anti-roll bars have been upgraded.

Derived from the Gran Turismo's high-strength steel monocoque architecture, the Gran Cabrio and Gran Cabrio Sport feature aluminium structural reinforcements beneath the floor for extra rigidity at the cost of only 100kg compared to the Gran Turismo S.

Attached to the front of the architecture are aluminium wishbones with forged aluminium hub carriers and struts, aluminium gas dampers and springs, while at the rear adds a radius bar for each wheel to control toe-in.
The changes to the brakes, with grooved, ventilated and drilled discs on all four wheels, have targeted a sporty, responsive and consistent feeling for the driver.

The grooves have been designed to keep the brake pads clean by avoiding dust build-up, which can reduce braking performance, while the drilled holes ensure the uniform wear of the disc and the pads for long-term consistency. This all helps the GranCabrio Sport to stop in just 35 metres from 100km/h.

The optional equipment
The Maserati Gran Cabrio Sport will have the MC Sport Line packages available immediately at its launch, including interior and exterior carbon fibre features. For example it is possible to change the front splitter to carbon-fibre, while the side skirts are also available in black
The Astro-design, 20-inch wheels are also available in Shiny Anthracite Grey to create a darker, more-menacing look.

Specifications

•     Body: High-strength steel monocoque, under-body aluminium cross bracing
•     Layout: Front-mid-engine, rear-drive
•     Engine: 4.7-litre all-alloy V8
•     Power: 450hp (331kW) @ 7000rpm
•     Torque: 510Nm @ 4750rpm
•     Capacity: 4691cc
•     Bore x stroke: 94mm x 84.5mm
•     Compression ratio: 11.25:1
•     Maximum engine speed: 7200 rpm
•     Oil delivery: Wet sump
•     0-100km/h acceleration: 5.2 seconds
•     Top speed: 285km/h
•     Fuel consumption

        Urban: 22.5 litres/100km
        Extra-urban: .8 litres/100km
        Combined: 14.5 litres/100km

•     CO2 emissions: 337 grams/km
•     Transmission: Six-speed automatic (ZF 6HP26) with MC Auto Shift
•     Ratios

        First: 4.171:1
        Second: 2.340:1
        Third: 1.521:1
        Fourth: 1.143:1
        Fifth: 0.867:1
        Sixth: 0.691:1
        Reverse: 3.403:1
        Final Drive: 3.73:1

•     Differential: Asymmetric limited-slip (25% in traction, 45% in release) with bevel drive
•     Steering: Engine-speed sensitive power steering, rack-and-pinion.
•     Turning circle: 12.3 metres
•     Length: 4881mm
•     Width

        with mirrors: 2056mm
        without mirrors: 1915mm

•     Height: 1353mm
•     Wheelbase: 2942mm
•     Front track: 1586mm
•     Rear track: 1590mm
•     Front overhang: 873mm
•     Rear overhang: 1066mm
•     Boot/trunk capacity: 173 litres
•     Fuel capacity: 75 litres
•     Dry weight (EU): 1887kg
•     Kerb weight (EU): 1980kg
•     Weight distribution

        roof closed: 49% front/51% rear
        roof open: 48%/52%

•     Brakes: 360mm front discs, 330mm rear discs
•     Tyres: 245/35 ZR20 (front); 285/35 ZR20 (rear)

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Maybach Xenatec Coupe, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 Maybach Xenatec Coupe, 2010

Xenatec is pleased to announce the launch of the Maybach Xenatec Coupé built by the Karosserie Manufaktur Weinsberg - a division of Xenatec Group - in cooperation with Maybach.

Created in 2002, the Maybach is undoubtedly one of the finest cars ever built. A powerful combination of state of the art technology, superior driving performance and opulent use of the finest materials places the Maybach in a league of its own.

Based upon the Maybach 57S limousine, this dynamic interpretation of driver-oriented luxury sets new standards in terms of exclusivity - a very limited number of the Xenatec Coupé will be built by hand in Germany for discerning clients worldwide, and will be offered at an ex-works price of € 675,000 excluding taxes.

The Maybach Xenatec Coupé was designed by Fredrik Burchhardt, creator of the dramatic Exelero (a joint Fulda Tyre Company/Maybach project in 2004-2005), to surpass the highest expectations - fulfilling the needs of those who prefer to savour the Maybach experience from the driver's seat, enjoying the thrill of being at the helm of a high-performance flagship for the discerning connoisseur. A technical masterpiece offering uncompromised comfort together with ample space and superior agility.

The evolution from limousine to coupé has involved major changes to bodywork and interior, but none to the drivetrain - and to the already impressive performance - of the Maybach 57S upon which the Xenatec Coupé is based.

Compared to the Maybach 57S limousine, major changes have been also made to the immensely strong bodywork, which has been completely redesigned and engineered and features new doors allowing for easy access to the rear passenger compartment.

The windscreen and rear screen are more steeply raked for a sporty silhouette, lowering the roofline without compromising passenger comfort. A full glass roof can be fitted if desired, as can almost all other options available for the Maybach 57S.

The doors and side panels as well as the front and rear fenders are new, as are the front and rear bumpers. Rear track is increased by 20 mm, and the standard 20-inch wheels allow for a marvellously supple ride whilst the optional 21-inch wheels sharpen handling to sports car levels - bringing the Maybach experience to the driver's seat.

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Chevrolet Code 130R Concept, 2012

 

Chevrolet Code 130R Concept, 2012

The Chevrolet introduced two concept coupes at the 2012 North American International Auto Show aimed at inspiring next-generation buyers to take the wheel and suggest ideas for a car they can co-create.

According to U.S. Census data, there are 80 million American consumers approaching 30. They represent 40 percent of today's potential car-buying public and a combined $1 trillion in purchasing power.

Over the past year, Chevrolet has conversed with young consumers across the United States. Based on their feedback, the Chevrolet concepts explore the styling and functionality this group of new buyers says they are looking for in a car.

The Chevrolet Code 130R, the first Chevrolet concept, is a four-seat coupe with a simple upright profile. Painted in an all-new red metallic paint with matte anodized gold wheels, Code 130R features heritage performance-inspired styling and rear-wheel drive. With an aggressive front fascia, Chevrolet fender flares, straight body side and Chevy crossflag emblem, Code 130R makes a link to Chevrolet's performance heritage.

The Code 130R's designers conceived the turbocharged engine to be tuned to work in tandem with eAssist technology. By shutting off the engine at stops, recapturing braking energy, and smoothing torque during acceleration, this concept takes automotive electrification to the next level and balances turbocharged performance with fuel economy.

Chevrolet Tru 140S, the second Chevrolet concept is a front-wheel-drive, "affordable exotic" four-seat sporty coupe. The three-door hatchback was designed to be an attractive-yet-affordable sports car. Shown in an all-new matte white with Chevy performance chrome wheels featuring crossflag emblems, Tru 140S is designed to look confident, exotic, expensive and fast. Tru 140S is based off the same platform as the Chevrolet Cruze and the groundbreaking Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle with extended range.

Tru 140S designers want to demonstrate technologies typically found in more expensive cars, including direct injection and a starter-based stop-start technology, balancing internal combustion and electrification to deliver high value and improved fuel economy.

The concepts share attributes younger buyers say they value:

• Sedan-sized functionality in performance coupe form that seats four passengers
• Interior connectivity and convenience featuring innovative storage, WiFi, smart phone integration with Chevrolet MyLink and heads-up display
• 40 MPG with a 1.4L Turbo Ecotec engine with approximately 150 horsepower
• Possible production price range in the low $20,000s

Inside the concepts, connectivity and personalization enable the individualization that the generation says is essential.

From Detroit, the pair of Chevrolet concepts will travel to major auto shows, key lifestyle events, one-on-one experiences and other venues such as college campuses. Chevrolet also will engage customers using the social media tools that young consumers use to talk with one another.

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KTM X-Bow, 2008

 

 

 

 

KTM X-Bow, 2008

An aggressive design and sporty potential: the KTM X-Bow is not merely a milestone in the KTM brand's more than 50-year history, it's also a new citation in the small, but elite segment of radical, lightweight sports cars. The exceptional position is the result of the concept: for their first car, KTM employs the finest materials, high-tech and the know-how of respected development partners such as Audi and Dallara. The result is a street-homologated sports car with racing technology, like an avantgarde, carbon fibre monocoque. The basic version's light weight and the 177 kW (240 hp) Audi TFSI engine, the performance values of the KTM X-Bow outstrip those of super-sport cars with more than twice the power: with a deadweight of approx. 700 kilos, the KTM X-Bow accelerates to 100 kph in just 3.9 seconds.

However the KTM X-Bow isn't just a racing machine, even if it is going to accomplish spectacular performance feats on racing circuits. With its modern technologies and exceptional solutions, it's much more oriented towards sporty drivers who seek a purist's driving experience. By foregoing electronic assistants and today's standard comfort features, the X-Bow offers an unfiltered adventure - aided by its standalone wheels in the style of monoposto racing cars, transparent technology and the car's reduced concept, i.e. no roof, doors or windscreen. The sports car has only a 70-millimeter, transparent wind deflector. With all these unique features, driving the KTM X-Bow becomes an experience with an immediacy that otherwise can only be felt when riding a motorcycle.

The Next Step into the Future
For the Upper Austrian motorcycle manufacturer - Europe's second largest - the decision to expand its line of business into the automobile market was of great strategic significance. It was made possible by the company's extraordinarily dynamic growth over the past 15 years. Since 1992, KTM vehicle sales have risen an average of 21% each year, while the volume of sales even climbed to 25% each year. Today, KTM is the world's leading brand in the offroad segment and in recent years has successively expanded its model portfolio into the street sector. "Moving into the automotive sector is the logical continuation of this strategy. With the X-Bow, KTM can now offer the classic KTM driving experience to all those who don't have a motorcycle licence," says Stefan Pierer, CEO of the listed KTM Power Sports AG, explaining this investment in the company's future.

Carbon Fibre Monocoque: Racing Know-How from Dallara
Carbon fibre monocoques have been the Formula 1's safety net for years. On the road, this technology was formerly reserved for the elitist, supersports cars in the highest price classes. KTM would now like to be the first to offer this solution in a much more affordable environment.

KTM has thereby been able to call upon the expertise of its development partner, Dallara. These specialists from Varano (near Parma) in Northern Italy have long been acclaimed as carbon technology experts, from the conception to the production of components made of this light, yet rigid material. The monocoque developed for the KTM X-Bow is not only extremely robust it is also safe, thanks to an integrated crashbox. And yet it weighs only about 70 kilos and is therefore a crucial factor in the vehicle's spectacular performance.

The Engine: TFSI Technology from Audi
KTM was able to gain Audi AG as its partner in developing the drive unit. The four-cylinder TFSI engine represents the X-Bow's construction principles in an ingenious way: by featuring lightweight, high-performance and intelligent technologies.

The engine's outstanding attribute is its gasoline direct injection technology, FSI. In this case, it's combined with an exhaust turbocharger plus an intercooler. Thanks to FSI, the engine can utilize fuel better than one with ordinary intake manifold injection and it even gets by on less fuel in the frequently used partial load range.
The injection takes place at a pressure level between 30 and 110 bar, valves in the intake system direct the inflowing air into a cylindrical movement. A continuously variable intake camshaft ensures optimal cylinder charging at any speed. Two balancer shafts compensate the second order inertia forces and so guarantee superior, low-vibration operation.

The KTM X-Bow's long-stroking, four-valve engine delivers a powerful performance: 310 newton-metres of torque peaks at a level between 2200 and 4000 rpm. The peak performance of 177 kW (240 hp) is achieved at 6000 rpm. Even more powerful engine variations in the 300-horsepower range are planned at a later date.
The drive unit package is complemented by a manual 6-gear transmission, which is also made by VW and can be equipped with a limited-slip differential if so desired. An optional S tronic transmission will also be offered. The drive comes from the rear wheels.

The Chassis: Direct and Competent
The X-Bow's driving dynamics profit not only from the car's low centre of gravity but also from its superior chassis, which also draws on racing technology for its basic principles. Suspended on double triangular wishbone axles, the wheels feature suspension and damping elements by WP Suspension, with a pushrod arrangement up front.
The Italian brake manufacturer Brembo can also be proud of its reputation for excellence. KTM is also expanding this partnership (which began in the motorcycle sector) into the automobile realm. The X-Bow's powerful braking system consists of 305 mm discs at the front and 262 mm discs at the rear. The interaction of the vehicle's light weight, ideal balance, low centre of gravity and a 17-/18-inch tyre mix results in spectacular braking performance: when the brakes are warm, the KTM X-Bow needs only 33.1 metres to decelerate from 100 kph to a standstill.

The Aerodynamics: Exceptional Contact Pressure
The primary development goal for the KTM X-Bow was not attaining extreme final velocities, but in optimising the driving dynamics. The sports car is thereby aided by an ingenious aerodynamics arrangement, the result of many hours in Dallara's wind tunnel. The most vital element in this area is the underbody, which is equipped with a prominent diffusor at the rear. To make this diffusor work even more effectively, the linking points for the rear suspension were set as high as possible. This enables the KTM X-Bow to achieve a phenomenal downforce of about 200 kilograms at a speed of 200 km/h - about three times more than most other supersport cars.

The fantastic downforce makes extreme curve speeds possible. The transversal acceleration of 1.23 g that can thus be attained noticeably surpasses the usual values achieved by street homologated sports cars.
The aerodynamic concept was a great challenge for the designer as well. It meant that sufficient air had to be channelled into the inlets located in the sides, behind the passengers. The radiator is also located at the rear of the vehicle, to avoid having to install longer, heavier cooling hoses. This mission was accomplished by using special air baffles, which are installed horizontally on the sides of the car so the passengers can also use them as boarding aids.

Safety: Racing Technology
The crucial component protecting the driver and the passenger is the solid, carbon fibre monocoque - safety technology straight from Formula 1. This structure is supplemented by a crashbox in the nose of the vehicle. The silencer, which is built into the rear of the car, was also designed to act as a crashbox; it absorbs the force of an impact to the rear of the vehicle.
The driver and passenger are also protected by four-point safety belts, which were inspired by the racing world. If so desired, this unit can be equipped with a fifth securing point. The two roll bars are clearly visible. They not only appear to be solid, they are skilfully integrated into the monocoque's structure.

Design: Floating Elements
Gerald Kiska's design studio can take credit for the shape of the vehicle. Coming from Salzburg, he has worked closely with KTM for the past 15 years and is entrusted not only with the design of the motorcycles, but also with the appearance of the company itself.
For the concept of the KTM brand's first automobile, Kiska incorporated many characteristics that are more closely associated with motorcycles than cars. Every part fulfils a function, the technology remains transparent, the form is noticeably simple. The few, orange-coloured body panels are "floating elements", like those of motorcycles, and suggest lightness and simplicity.

The deliberate reduction in all things even includes the lights: simple headlamps, embedded indicators flush with the car's contours and round lights at the rear forego superficial, showy effects. Instead, the carbon structure also takes on design duties, meaning that components which are frequently hidden in cars, such as the silencer, suddenly serve an aesthetic purpose in addition to their usual functions.

The Equipment: Puristic and Functional
As a result of its clear concept, the KTM X-Bow can do without a lot of elements that ordinarily add complexity and extra weight. So the narrow wind deflector makes an elaborate heating system and windscreen wipers unnecessary; doors are also not included in the design, due to the vehicle's low profile and the extra-low side profile.

The seats are further examples of the X-Bow's intelligent and simple construction: the shells for the driver's and passenger's seats are already integrated into the carbon fibre construction of the monocoque. An overlay provides solid comfort. In order to provide the best ergonomics for drivers of various heights, the KTM X-Bow has manually adjustable pedals.

The KTM X-Bow doesn't have a luggage compartment. But it does feature an innovative, mobile storage box for the car documents. The equipment required by law, such as the warning triangle, first aid kit and a tyre-fit system, are kept in storage compartments beside the passenger's foot well. A cover is stowed in this same location; it protects the interior of the car when it's parked. Two helmets can be fixed in the passenger's legroom.

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FM Auto Antas V8 GT, 2006

 

 

 

FM Auto Antas V8 GT, 2006

F&M Auto Antas V8 GT is the first "Berlinetta" (touring car) created in the F&M workshop. It is completely inspired by the philosophy and material used in the "special series" of the past: the body, for example, is made of aluminium and completely built by hand. The car was featured the 2008 movie Speed Racer.

The F&M Auto Antas V8 GT is driven by a powerful V8 Maserati engine fed by carburettors and endowed with a pleasing elasticity of power, which gives the driver the sensation of "true" steering typical of the great touring cars of the past. When the time came to name this "jewel", a word was chosen that comes from the ancient Tuscan language of the Etruscans: Antas, which means Eagle, the noblest and most audacious dominator of open spaces.

On delivery, F&M Auto Antas V8 GT comes equipped with a case covered in blue velvet bearing the silver plate with the identification numbers; inside are a photography book and a DVD documenting the construction of the vehicle.

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Brabus E V12 Cabriolet, 2011

 

 

 

 

Brabus E V12 Cabriolet, 2011

With the 800-hp (788-bhp) / 588-kW Brabus 800 V12 Biturbo twelve-cylinder high-capacity engine in the body of the open-top Mercedes E-Class Brabus further expands the legendary E V12 family. Like its brethren, the Brabus E V12 Cabriolet is a high-performance automobile of superlatives: the special model reaches a top speed of up to 370 km/h (231 mph) and is the world's most powerful and fastest four-seater cabriolet. It is built to order starting at EUR 478,000.

In building the supercar the Brabus engineers drew upon the know-how gained from building numerous E V12 sedans and coupes. Precision work was required to implant the Brabus 800 V12 Biturbo engine and a reinforced five-speed automatic transmission in the engine bay of the E-Class Cabriolet.

The most powerful engine in the Brabus lineup is based on the three-valve V12 engine of the current Mercedes S600 model. The company's engine-building shop reengineers this engine in all aspects. A special crankshaft with longer stroke and larger pistons in conjunction with increased cylinder bore bumps displacement from standard 5.5 to 6.3 liters (336 to 384 cu. in.). Further modifications to the engine's inner workings include cylinder heads optimized for mixture flow and sports camshafts.

The engine peripherals are reworked just as extensively: Two special exhaust manifolds with integrated larger turbochargers ensure a more efficient turbocharging process. The Brabus biturbo system is rounded out with four water-to-air intercoolers which also make a crucial contribution to the exceptional power yield. The stainless-steel high-performance exhaust system with four tailpipes was created specifically for the E-Class Cabriolet. The intake side was also completely redesigned: Under the custom-built hood with integrated carbon-fiber ram-air hood scoop is a completely newly developed intake manifold.

The perfect interaction of all performance-increasing measures is coordinated by newly programmed mapping for the electronic engine management system.

The Brabus 800 V12 Biturbo powertrain, lubricated with high-tech lubricants from technology partner ARAL, transforms the four-seater convertible into the most powerful and fastest of its kind in the world. 800 hp (788 bhp) / 588 kW at 5,500 rpm and peak torque of 1,420 Nm (1,047 lb-ft), limited electronically in the car to 1,100 Nm (811 lb-ft), are as unique as the driving performance this car delivers.

The power cabriolet is equipped with a Brabus high-performance limited-slip differential with a locking rate of 40 percent, and sprints from rest to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 3.7 seconds. After 9.9 seconds the exclusive automobile already reaches a speed of 200 km/h (124 mph). The 300-km/h (186-mph) barrier shatters after 23.9 seconds. Depending on the final-drive ratio the Brabus E V12 Cabriolet has a top speed of up to 370 km/h (231 mph).

Sophisticated aerodynamic properties are essential for directional stability and active safety in a car capable of attaining such enormous speeds. The sporty yet elegant Brabus aerodynamic-enhancement components were fine-tuned in the wind tunnel, and like in Formula 1 racing they are made from ultra-light yet high-strength carbon fiber.

The Brabus front apron is shaped to reduce lift on the front axle and to guide a maximum amount of cooling air to the radiators and front brakes of the V12 model. Air outlets in the sides route the hot air away from the heat exchangers as quickly as possible. LED daytime running lights integrated into the apron give the Brabus E V12 Cabriolet an unmistakable appearance that can be quickly identified even in the rearview mirror.

For further improved directional stability at extremely high speeds and to further increase cornering speeds, Brabus widens the body of the E-Class Cabriolet. Newly designed front sport fenders widen the track and allow the installation of ultra-wide 9.5Jx19 wheels mounted with size 265/30 ZR 19 tires.

Special carbon-fiber rear fender flares add 60 millimeters (2.4 inches) to the width of the Brabus E V12 Cabriolet. They create space for ten-inch wide wheels mounted with high-performance tires up to size 295/30 ZR 19, supplied by technology partners Continental, Pirelli or Yokohama.

Professional engineering work was also invested into every detail of the suspension: special suspension components were custom-designed for the front and rear axle of the Brabus E V12 Cabriolet. They provide a much wider range of individual suspension settings. These components are joined by a Brabus coil-over suspension calibrated to the higher engine weight. The suspension was developed together with Bilstein and features ten selectable settings for bound and rebound front and back. The ride height can also be adjusted by up to 35 millimeters to suit each driver's personal preferences.

The Brabus high-performance brake system easily masters the car's incredible performance. It features 380 x 37 millimeter (15.0 x 1.45 in.), vented and grooved steel brake discs and 12-piston aluminum fixed calipers on the front axle. The rear stops on 360 x 28 millimeter (14.2 x 1.1 in.) discs with 6-piston aluminum fixed calipers.

The Brabus E V12 Cabriolet also features an especially exclusive interior. The first vehicle of the small-series production run, which celebrated its public debut at Brabus Middle East in Dubai, the company's own branch in the United Arab Emirates, breaks the mold in this area as well. The cockpit is clad in a perfectly finished combination of lipstick-red and black leather.

The ergonomically shaped Brabus steering wheel and inlays made from genuine carbon fiber on dashboard, center console and side trim add sporty highlights. The speedometer with 400-km/h (250-mph) dial bears witness to the unique performance potential of the open-top four-seater car even while it is standing still.

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