Brabus’ Mercedes S500-based PowerXtra B50 Hybrid is a gasoline-electric rocket

By Ronan Glon May 29, 2015

Brabus, one of Germany’s best-known tuners, has unveiled the PowerXtra B50 Hybrid, a more extreme version of Mercedes’ politically-correct S500 plug-in hybrid sedan. The B50 immediately stands out from the S500 thanks to a comprehensive list of upgrades in the engine bay.

The gas-electric sedan benefits from a re-mapped ECU that modifies the fuel injection and ignition settings, and it gains a tweaked turbocharger that provides a lot more boost. As a result, the 500’s 3.0-liter V6 engine makes 385 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 405 foot-pounds of torque over a wide band that stretches from 1,600 to 4,000 rpm.

The system’s total output rises to 500 horsepower and 656 foot-pounds of torque, allowing the 4,700-pound B50 to reach 62 mph from a stop in 4.9 seconds – 0.3 seconds faster than a stock S500 – and go on to a top speed that’s electronically limited to 155 mph. Brabus has not revealed what effect the power bump has on gas mileage.

The B50 uses the same seven-speed automatic transmission as the S500, and the four driving modes (called Hybrid, E-mode, E-save and Charge, respectively) have been carried over with no modifications. S500 owners looking to get the full Brabus treatment can order a custom-designed stainless steel exhaust system with four tail pipes at extra cost.

Brabus has designed an aerodynamic body kit specifically for the S500. The B50’s front end benefits from a redesigned front bumper that incorporates three large air vents and a discreet Brabus-badged splitter, while the rear fascia gains a trunk-mounted spoiler and an air diffuser . Side skirts, fender vents made of carbon fiber and 20-inch alloy wheels wrapped by Continental tires add a finishing touch to the look.

Far from a simple design study, the Brabus PowerXtra B50 Hybrid is on sale now in Germany. The tuner has not published pricing information, and it has not revealed if the super-hybrid will be available in other countries.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Contributor

Ronan Glon is an American automotive and tech journalist based in southern France. As a long-time contributor to Digital…

Mobile

The 6 best car phone holders in 2024

Belkin BoostCharge Magnetic Wireless Car Charger with an iPhone 14 Pro.

Belkin BoostCharge Magnetic Wireless Car Charger Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Installing a car phone mount in your vehicle is the best way to make sure that you have easy access to your smartphone when behind the wheel. While you shouldn't be using your phone while driving, having it mounted on your windshield, dashboard, vent, or anywhere else will let you take a quick glance when you're using a navigation app, or to change your playlist when you stop for a traffic light, for example. Instead of having to pick up your device, it will be easier and faster to get these done while it's on a car phone mount for less time of having your eyes off the road.

Cars

Should you buy a used EV? Maybe, but it’s complicated

Electric cars are slowly but surely getting cheaper. Over the past year or so, Ford and Tesla have been discounting their most popular electric cars while other brands, like Rivian, are laying the groundwork for all-new cheaper models.

But you'd still be hard-pressed to call electric cars cheap, and buying a completely new car in the first place is a hurdle in and of itself for many potential buyers. According to Statista, used car sales represented around 74% of all car sales in 2022, and while this figure is likely to change as electric cars get cheaper, the fact remains that most car buyers would prefer to save cash and buy used rather than buy something new.
Buying a new car ain't what it used to be
Buying a car with an electric powertrain doesn't necessarily need to be all that different from buying an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle. But there's a little more to it than that.

Cars

Rivian R2 vs. Ford Mustang Mach-E: Will the R2 be a better buy?

Side of the Rivian R2

The Rivian R2 has finally been announced, and it could end up being the go-to EV for drivers who want a decently affordable electric car with a rugged look and feel. But when it finally launches to the public, it won't be the only option in its price range -- the Ford Mustang Mach-E could be one of its main competitors.

The Mustang Mach-E may not be quite as rugged-feeling as the Rivian R2, but it does have a lot going for it -- like an increasingly low price, sleek design, and comfortable interior. Is one of these EVs better than the other? We put the two head-to-head to find out.
Design
The first thing to note about the two cars is their design, as they’re pretty different. The Rivian R2 is built to be a little more rugged and outdoorsy, while the Mach-E instead has a sleeker and sportier look to it. Both cars look stylish and modern.