German tuner, Brabus, has turned its attention to the electric Mercedes-Benz EQC with the debut of what the company calls its E-PowerXtra performance upgrade kit.
Its team of software specialists have managed to extract more power from the EQC's electric powertrain. Peak torque output rises from the standard car's 760Nm to 830Nm and from 408hp to 422hp. Although the car's top speed remains electronically limited to 180km/h, the acceleration from 0-100km/h is cut from 5.1 seconds to 4.9 seconds. Brabus hasn't said if the upgrade kit has much of an impact on the car's driving range, though we suspect that more power and increased acceleration may knock a few kilometres off the 417-kilometre range of the regular EQC.
Bigger wheels and interior upgrades
The company is currently developing some exterior styling add-ons, but for now it offers only a rear spoiler. Upgrades consist of two versions of the ten-spoke Brabus Monoblock Z wheels, in 20- and 21-inches. The 20-inch wheels are 8 inches wide at the front and 9.5 inches on the rear and come shod with Pirelli P Zero tyres.
With the 21-inch versions, the rim is made using a slightly different forging process to decrease weight without affecting the strength. These larger wheel options come wrapped in Continental ContiSportContact tyres.
All of the exterior badging also changes to Brabus and the company's B logo that sits pride of place on the large front grille and at the centre caps of the wheels. It's not only the outside that Brabus has added to, inside there are subtle interior upgrades including aluminium pedals and kick plates with backlit Brabus logos and door lock pins. Along with these, Brabus can also reupholster the interior in any manner of ways to suit each client's preference.