Tags: Brabus Mercedes-Benz Viano tuning autoshow Geneva Motor Show 2006 Minivan
The exclusive office and cinema on wheels with state-of-the-art entertainment technology: With the BRABUS Viano "Lounge Concept" BRABUS, demonstrates how to convert the Mercedes minivan into a luxurious and powerful multi-use automobile.
The BRABUS interior designers have developed an innovative concept with a refined ambiance for the rear of the Viano: Maximum comfort for both rear passengers is provided by two power-adjustable comfort seats. Similar to long-distance air travel in business class these two seats can be adjusted at the push of a button and recline all the way to a sleeping position. Both seats are covered with especially soft and breathable leather.
The two custom seats are separated by a center console made from a stylish combination of leather and aluminum that is found throughout the interior of the car. The console houses the controls for the rear air conditioning system and the touch screen controls for the entire multimedia system.
A 32-inch LCD monitor can be deployed from the partition wall behind the front seats at the push of a button and acts as a screen for the computer system. It can also show a movie playing on the DVD changer or on high-quality digital TV. The Dolby-Surround sound is perfectly reproduced by a HiFi system custom-tailored for the Viano.
BRABUS also provides on-board refreshments: A generously dimensioned refrigerator is part of the exclusive equipment of the BRABUS Viano "Lounge Concept" as is a 'Nespresso' coffee maker of the latest generation. The electrically deployed partition wall behind the front seats provides rear-cabin privacy at the push of a button. Numerous integrated storage compartments provide safekeeping of the rear passengers' carry-on items.
On the outside the minivan sports a sporty yet elegant BRABUS designer suit. The BRABUS front apron with two round fog lamps and two Xenon high beams lends the Viano more character. But that's not all: its refined shape also reduces lift on the front axle thus further optimizing directional stability.
BRABUS refines the sides of the minivan with understated fender flares on front and rear axle. BRABUS side sills with integrated LED lights provide added safety for entering and exiting the vehicle. The BRABUS rear apron features a custom cutout for the BRABUS stainless-steel sport exhaust.
The attractive appearance is rounded out by custom-tailored BRABUS Monoblock light-alloy wheels with 18-inch diameter. 18-inch wheels for the Viano are available as high-gloss, silver painted BRABUS Monoblock A wheels or as fully polished Monoblock S light-alloy wheels in size 8.5Jx18. Technology partner Yokohama provides the corresponding high-performance tire in size 245/45 ZR 18 100Y. New additions to the program are BRABUS Monoblock S 8.5Jx19 wheels with 255/40 R 19 tires.
To further improve the driving safety of the multi-purpose vehicle without compromising ride comfort the BRABUS suspension engineers developed special sport springs calibrated to match the production shocks. These springs lower the ride height of the Viano regardless of whether with sir or with conventional steel suspension by some 25 millimeters in the front and by about 20 millimeters in the rear.
Naturally BRABUS offers the Viano "Lounge Concept" also with powerful engines. Maximum power output of the Viano 2.2 CDI with common-rail turbodiesel engine and BRABUS D3 (II) PowerXtra performance kit jumps from standard 150 hp / 130 kW to 177 hp / 130 kW at 4,000 rpm. With a peak torque of 370 Nm at 2,000 rpm the tuned diesel engine provides plenty of pulling power. Thus equipped the minivan accelerates to 100 km/h in just 10.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 180 km/h.
For the new top-of-the-line model Viano 3.5 BRABUS offers the proven method of increasing displacement. The BRABUS 4.4 engine represents an increase in power from 231 hp / 170 kW to 325 hp / 239 kW and an increase in torque to 430 Nm at 4,200 rpm.
The BRABUS-tuned Viano sets new standards in performance: With an acceleration time of 7.2 seconds for the sprint from 0 – 100 km/h and a top speed of 230 km/h this minivan is one of the fastest of its kind.
In addition BRABUS offers a stainless-steel sport rear muffler with two chromes tailpipes for all engine variants of the new Mercedes Viano.
BRABUS also builds the Viano V8 in an exclusive small-series production run. In this model the V6 drivetrain is painstakingly replaced by the BRABUS 6.1 eight-cylinder displacement engine combined with a matching five-speed automatic transmission.
426 hp / 313 kW at 5,400 U/rpm and a peak torque of 621 Nm at 4,100 rpm are the most important key figures of this engine, lubricated like all BRABUS engines with ARAL high-performance motor oil.
With a sprint time of 5.9 seconds from rest to 100 km/h and an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h the BRABUS Viano V8 is one of the world's fastest minivans.
