Brabus creates 1250Nm Mercedes-AMG G 63 ute

Demand for the Mercedes-AMG G 63 is so strong that the Australian order book remains closed and the German brand recently upped its price to $365,900 in order to ensure the ongoing local availability of the V8-powered off-road SUV.

Now the world’s rich and famous have another G-Wagen to aspire to: the Brabus P900 Rocket Edition ‘One of Ten’ which, as the name suggests, will be limited to just 10 examples globally.

That kind of exclusivity partly explains the sky-high price tag of €649,638 plus 19 per cent VAT in Germany, which equates to about $A963K in Australia – before shipping and local taxes, which bring the total to well over $1 million.

But the other big reason is a fully reworked version of AMG’s widespread 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 now displacing 4.4 litres (4407cc) courtesy of bigger cylinder bores and a custom billet crankshaft with longer stroke (bore and stroke are now 84 and 100mm).

The Brabus V8 runs bigger turbos with 1.4-bar of boost pressure, a ram-air intake and a stainless high-performance exhaust system with free-flow metal catalysts and actively controlled butterfly valves.

Running on 102 RON ‘Super plus’ fuel, the result is a staggering 662kW (888hp) of power at 6200rpm and a gigantic 1250Nm of torque from just 2900rpm, although it’s limited to 1050Nm to protect the W9T 900 9G-TRONIC nine-speed automatic transmission and permanent all-wheel drive system with electronic locking diffs.

Brabus says that’s enough to propel the 2720kg P900 to 100km/h in just 3.7 seconds, on its way to a top speed of 280km/h.

Apart from the price, the downside is claimed combined fuel consumption of 14.4L/100km and CO2 emissions of 330g/km.

Naturally, Brabus has upgraded the chassis to handle all that extra urge, via RideControl aluminum coilover suspension with Dynamic Select adjustable damping and 45mm ride height reduction, and vented and cross-drilled steel brake rotors measuring 400mm up front and 370mm at the rear.

But the chassis highlight is a set of enormous 24-inch one-piece 10-spoke forged wheels with exposed-carbon Brabus Aero-Discs, measuring 10 inches wide at the front and 12 inches at the rear, and fitted with bespoke ZR-rated (280km/h) low-profile Continental rubber – 295/30-section up front and 355/25 at rear.

Revealed at the recent Monaco Yacht Show, the P900 is actually based on the Brabus XLP pick-up – the dual-cab 4x4 ute version of the new-generation G-Class that employs portal axles to deliver a huge 490mm of ground clearance.

As such, it’s based on the same steel ladder frame that’s been stretched by 500mm in the wheelbase, and combines a bespoke steel four-door cab with an all-carbon tray featuring a side-hinged tailgate. Overall, the P900 measures some 5380mm long – 689mm longer than a standard G 63 without spare wheel.

Inside the wider, carbon-clad exterior is a four-seat Brabus Masterpiece interior featuring royal black leather contrasting with the same ‘Rocket Red’ colour – as seen on the bodywork and wheels – on a total of 206 cockpit elements, from switches and speaker grills to air-vents and trims.

Of course, there’s also acres of exposed carbon-fibre and Brabus’ trademark ambient lighting for the air-vents, and ahead of the heated rear window are a pair of heated and ventilated sports bucket seats.

Completing the opulent rear-seat arrangement is a tailor-made black leather and carbon centre console housing a fridge, retractable tables, heated/cooled cup-holders and the fully integrated 4.3-inch Brabus Touch Control Panel, allowing rear occupants to adjust their seats, operate the COMAND infotainment system and view engine speed, outside temperature, G-force and time/date via two overhead touch-screen displays.

Join the conversation at 

our Facebook page

Or email us at 

editor@carsales.com.au