They’ve gone and done it; the tuning gurus at Brabus have stuffed a V8 engine in the new GLK SUV. And as though replacing the V6 with a larger and more powerful V8 powerplant weren’t enough, Brabus had to go and modify the entire thing.
Brabus engineers completely rebuilt a 5.5-liter motor (as found in vehicles like the S550) and increased the displacement to 6.1-liters. The modifications involved a larger bore and a longer stroke, with a lighter crankshaft, stronger pistons with a compression ratio of 11.0:1 and a modified cylinder head with larger valves and new cams.
In total the new engine makes 456hp at 6200 rpm and 453 ft-lbs of torque at 3100 rpm. Brabus says the V8 GLK can hit 62 mph in just 4.9 seconds and blast on to a top speed of 172 mph.
Other modifications on the car include a lowered suspension (1.2-inches), 21-inch Brabus Monoblock F wheels and a big brake upgrade. The new brake system uses six-piston front calipers with 14.2-inch rotors and six-piston rear calipers with 11.8-inch rotors.
Technically, this Brabus GLK is also a Widestar, meaning that it features the Widestar line of aerodynamics, including a new front fascia that reduces lift and, of course, those flared fenders.
GALLERY: Brabus GLK V8
Rear more on the Brabus GLK V8 after the jump:
![Meredes CLS Shooting Brake: Lookin’ Fine in Winter Time [Spy Photos]](http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/wp-content/uploads//2012/02/Mercedes-CLS-Shooting-Brake-thumb.jpg "Meredes CLS Shooting Brake: Lookin’ Fine in Winter Time [Spy Photos]")
