German tuning house Brabus has long been a go-to for the small number of people who find that Mercedes’ high-performance AMG models just aren’t powerful enough. So what happens when it gets its hands on Merc’s most powerful series production model ever, the 831bhp AMG GT 63 S E Performance?
Well, this: the Brabus Rocket 1000. Using the range-topping plug-in hybrid AMG GT 4-Door as its base, Brabus’ latest Mercedes saloon-based Rocket is the most powerful car the firm has ever produced.
Brabus Rocket 1000 – rear
The standard car’s 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 has been bored and stroked to 4.4 litres (4,407cc specifically – Brabus is taking a leaf out of Merc’s book and calling it a 4.5). Together with new turbochargers, forged pistons and an uprated crankshaft and connecting rods, this allows the V8 alone to produce 785bhp and an electronically-limited 775lb ft of torque.
In league with the standard GT 63 S’ electric motor, however, peak combined output is 987bhp – that’s a nice round 1000PS, hence the name. More impressively, with V8 and electric motors working together, the powertrain is capable of 1342lb ft of torque. Brabus has, however, electronically limited this figure to a mere 1195lb ft, presumably to prevent the Rocket 1000 from simply turning its nine-speed automatic gearbox to dust. This setup likely makes a bit of a racket, although the switchable exhaust system features a neighbour-friendly “coming home” mode.
Brabus Rocket 1000 – engine
The mighty power figures lead to some unsurprisingly organ-rearranging acceleration. The zero-to-62mph dash is over in 2.6 seconds, 124mph takes 9.7 seconds, and 186 takes 23.9, at which point you’re closing in on the 196mph top speed. Like the standard car, the Rocket 1000 is four-wheel drive. It also comes with Brabus’ SportXtra active suspension, which allows the car to hunker down by an extra 20mm depending on drive mode.
Exterior-wise, the most notable difference is the widened track, accommodated by some flared arches. Within those arches are Brabus’ forged ‘Monoblock P’ wheels with carbon aero-discs – 21 inches at the front and 22 at the rear. There’s a smattering of other carbon parts on the outside, including that big fixed rear wing. The inside, while still a feast of leather, can be specced with various carbon packages, too.
Brabus Rocket 1000 – interior
Just 25 Rocket 1000s will be built, starting at around £386,000 before taxes. That’s more than twice the £179,325 starting price of a regular GT 63 S E Performance, but that’s the sort of premium you pay for exclusivity and Veyron-matching power.
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