The stats read like those of a supercar—900 hp, a 205 mph top speed, and a 0–60 mph sprint time in less than 3 seconds. However, this is no supercar, at least as far as the design is concerned. Meet the fearsome Brabus Rocket 900, a widebody four-door sports sedan unleashed by the Bottrop-based high-performance automotive aftermarket tuning company.
No tuning outfit has mastered the ‘dark arts’ of unlocking insane performance levels from stock Mercedes cars quite like Brabus. They have been in the business for over four decades. In that time, an impressive range of vehicles affiliated with the three-pointed star have received the Brabus treatment—from the Smart to the iconic G-Class wagon.
The Brabus Rocket 900 is based on the AMG GT 63 S, one of Mercedes’ most potent sedans (only the new AMG GT 63 S E Performance has more power). The AMG GT 63 S packs a hefty wallop in stock form, accelerating to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds and continuing to a 195 mph top speed.
In November 2020, it hit the 12.9-mile Nordschleife Circuit and set a lap time of 7 minutes, 27.800 seconds, becoming the fastest production car in its class. It is credentials like this that placed the car in the cross-hairs of the ambitious lads at Brabus and ultimately led to the birth of the Brabus Rocket 900 super sedan.
A Dragon Within
The Brabus Rocket 900 is a blue-blooded German beast with 900 hp in full attack mode. Peak torque output of 922 lb-ft is also available from 2,900 rpm, although this is electronically limited to 774 lb-ft to protect the drivetrain structure. This kind of power output required a lot of mechanical ingenuity from Brabus engineers rather than the customary ECU flashing or strapping on bigger turbochargers.
It’s no surprise, then, that the powerplant under the bonnet is a heavily modified version of the 4.0-litre Biturbo V8 found in the AMG GT 63 S. First, the engine displacement has been bored out to 4.5-litres, up from 4.0-litres with ultra-modern machining technology. The engine was fitted with a custom-designed crankshaft and larger forged pistons. Brabus high-performance turbochargers also replaced the standard units. All the mechanical work was in addition to ECU recalibration, new mapping for injection, ignition and boost pressure control programming.
The nine-speed automatic transmission remained relatively untouched, though. It is more than capable of routing the engine power to all four wheels for some blistering on-road performance. The fiery engine makes a complete mockery of the super sedan’s 4,700-lb bulk. In addition to a sub-3-second sprint to 60 mph, the Brabus Rocket 900 will push on to 186 mph (300 kph) in just 23.9 seconds. That’s quicker than the Lamborghini Huracan Performante!
Built for Speed and Comfort
The luxury four-door gives off serious muscle car vibes with its widebody stance. Brabus describes the car as having an ‘extravagant Brabus bold look,’ and we couldn’t agree more. The body kit is mostly high-strength yet lightweight carbon, lined with Kevlar in parts for added rigidity. The front features wider fenders with integrated sweeping flares.
At the rear, these carbon flares over the wheel arches add 3.1 inches to the overall width of the car. Those extended wheel arches are not just for show; they are necessary to accommodate the Brabus-made monoblock wheels that measure 21 inches up front and 22 inches in the rear. The wheels are shod with 275/35 section Pirelli P-Zero tires in front and 335/25 section Pirelli P-Zero tires at the back. The massive tires provide a greater contact patch with the road surface, ideal for putting all the car’s power down.
The car’s design language is not just for aesthetics; there was a lot of consideration given to aerodynamics and overall performance at high speeds. The carbon front fascia includes larger air intakes that suck in air to cool the engine and front brakes. The spoiler integrated into this front-end component was deliberately moulded to reduce front-axle lift and promote high-speed stability.
It’s hard to miss the cool aero discs over the new forged wheels. They help channel airflow along the sides of the car, reducing turbulence and the effects of drag (similar to the way it functions in the McLaren Speedtail).
The carbon-fibre wing and rear diffuser were developed with the aid of extensive wind-tunnel testing. The components not only enhance that car’s aggressive stance but also boost the aerodynamic balance of the Brabus Rocket 900. The car’s exterior sporty profile is rounded off with accents like the naked carbon panels at the sides of the rear bumper and carbon covers for the side mirrors.
The interior will feature Brabus’ signature level of extreme indulgence. There are loads of customizable options, depending on each client’s requirements—contrast stitching, quilted leather, carbon fibre accents, and aluminum trimmings, to name a few. The whole idea is to create a bespoke luxury four-door that will conquer highways in complete style and comfort.
Exclusivity is the Name of the Game
The Brabus Rocket 900 carries a sticker price of about half a million dollars. That’s more than thrice the price of the Mercedes AMG GT 63 S! However, it’s not just the price that makes the super sedan a unicorn in the car world.
Brabus is making only ten units, each uniquely customised to reflect the client’s tastes. These ten lucky customers will get the pleasure of unleashing the Brabus beast, and with 900 hp on tap, not many cars will pass them on the highway.
