Brabus creates world's fastest four-seat cabrio

You can always count on Brabus to come up with ridiculously overpowered Merc-based products that make even AMG Black Series offerings look distinctly limp-wristed.

For its latest trick the German tuner has conjured up the 800 E V12 Cabriolet, billed as the fastest, most potent four-seat convertible in the world.

The ballistic drop-top has a claimed top whack of 370km/h, and its ex-factory price of 478,000 euros (that's $630K, before any duties, taxes or shipping charges are factored in) also distinguishes it as one of the priciest open-topped cars available anywhere.

Brabus claims the 800 E V12 Cabriolet benefits from know-how the company has gained from building several E-Class-based V12-powered coupes and sedans over the years.

The V12 in question is based on the three-valve unit that resides in the engine bay of the S600 (among others). However, the motor is extensively reengineered, with a longer stroke and larger bore increasing displacement from 5.5 to 6.3 litres.

Other mods include a remapped ECU, optimised cylinder heads, sports camshafts, special exhaust manifolds with integrated larger turbochargers and the addition of four water-to-air intercoolers. There's also a stainless-steel high-performance exhaust system with four tailpipes and a specially crafted intake manifold.

The numbers say it all, really, as the monstrous V12 thumps out 588kW at 5500rpm and peak torque of 1420Nm (!), although to help preserve the five-speed auto and the rear tyres (not to mention the car's occupants), it's limited to 1100Nm.

Fitted with a high-performance limited-slip differential with a locking rate of 40 per cent, the 800 E V12 Cabrio sprints from 0-100km/h in a claimed 3.7sec, and it scorches past 200km/h in 9.9sec and 300km/h in 23.9sec.

Its high-speed capabilities called for some trick aero kit, and the understated (not) add-ons you see here includes a unique front apron that reduces front axle lift and rams cooling air to the radiators and front brakes.

Air vents in the flanks route the hot air away from the heat exchangers as quickly as possible, while the bootlid is topped by a carbonfibre wing to reduce rear axle lift.

Further stability gains are said to be made via the widened front and rear tracks – thanks to specially made fenders, which are stuffed full of 9.5Jx19 wheels shod with 265/30 ZR 19 rubber at the front and 10-inch rims wrapped in 295/30 ZR 19 gumballs at the rear.

The car rides on Brabus/Bilstein coil-over suspension calibrated to the V12 motor's higher weight and it offers 10 selectable settings for bound and rebound front and back. The ride height can also be adjusted by up to 35mm to suit each driver's preference.

Stopping power comes from 380x37mm vented and grooved steel brake discs and 12-piston aluminium fixed calipers at the front, while the rear anchors are 360x28mm discs with six-piston aluminium fixed calipers.

The 800 E V12 Cabriolet made its public debut in Dubai (not exactly the last bastion of good taste), and this helps explain its garish lipstick-red and black leather interior, which is further distinguished by a Brabus steering wheel, speedometer calibrated to 400km/h and lashings of carbonfibre trim.

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