Brabus releases ECO PowerXtra diesel tuning kit

Brabus, well known for its exercises in automotive excess, is now dabbling in the ecologically-aware arena of automotive accessories. The company's new ECO PowerXtra kit claims to offer better fuel economy and lower emissions for Mercedes diesel engine-powered vehicles through the addition of a simple tuning module.

The science is sound, so the benefits should prove to be real. The ECO PowerXtra - a variant of the company's line of PowerXtra kits for diesel tuning - improves low-end torque and high-end power, enabling drivers to use lower gears and therefore lower engine speeds, which can result in significant fuel savings. Installation is simple - the unit just plugs into existing wiring, and can be installed in less than an hour.

The kit also adds performance - bumping output by as much as 53hp (39kW) and 74lb-ft (100Nm) of torque, depending on the vehicle. But driving to extract maximum performance will counteract the low-end tuning done in the ECO PowerXtra, and negate any fuel or emissions savings.

Euro 4 emissions certification and particulate filter compatibility are standard, so the kit won't put you at risk of a citation, either. A three year/62,000mi (100,000km) warranty also comes standard.