Brabus 800 is the ultimate luxury SUV

BRABUS has converted the already luxurious Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 4Matic into an opulent – and high performing – new SUV it says embraces the “spirit of modern luxury”. 

The Brabus 800 combines carbon-fibre exterior elements with a range of the company’s Masterpiece Sign of Excellence design cues, a bespoke Masterpiece Interior, 24-inch ‘platinum forged’ monoblock alloy wheels, and an astonishing 588kW/950Nm version of Mercedes’ twin-turbo V8.

According to the Bottrop-based tuning house, the amped-up V8 will rocket the luxury behemoth to 100km/h in just 4.5 seconds on its way to an electronically limited top speed of 300km/h.

The built-to-order Brabus 800 uses Mercedes’ GLS 600 or GLS 63 to create its ultra-posh four-seat limo, the example shown finished in factory gloss black paint and enhanced by Shadow Grey trim elements in place of the factory brightwork. 

Additional carbon-fibre aerodynamic elements are tailor-made by Brabus to suit the GLS, the upgraded front spoiler and intakes serving not only to give the 800 a “more distinct face” but to reduce lift at high speeds.

The rear bumper receives a similar treatment, with the central diffuser featuring moulded cutouts for the 800’s throaty sports exhaust system.

All made from stainless steel, the exhaust features a driver-selectable active sound management system and is finished with a pair of matte black tips on either side of the restyled rear bumper.

King-size 24-inch wheels take the place of the standard-issue alloys, filling the arches and their exposed carbon flares.

Brabus says the large disc design provides maximum strength for high-speed running, the 10-inch-wide front and 12-inch-wide rear wheels wearing high-performance, low-profile Continental rubber measuring 295/35 and 335/30 respectively.

To enhance the wheels further – and provide additional high-speed stability – Brabus has remapped the control module of the Airmatic suspension system, at the same time lowering the static ride height of the 800 by 25mm compared with the donor vehicle.

Inside, the Brabus 800 offers a “virtually endless” array of options and says it can tailor the interior of the Maybach precisely.

The example pictured is upholstered in fine Leonis Orange leather, the seat centre sections, door panels, and the entire cabin floor featuring perforations and square quilting with what Brabus describes as “pinpoint precision”.

Brabus interior designers integrated a tailor-made business console with two retractable tables into the 800 display model and matched all the cabin switchgear and accessories in a carbon finish to complement that of the exterior.

Aluminium race-inspired pedals, door pins, and paddle shifters round out the opulent finish.

Of course, the 800 would not be a Brabus without a few under-bonnet enhancements.

Merc’s 4.0-litre biturbo V8 has been breathed on by the Brabus PowerXtra B40S-800 upgrade, taking power output from 410kW to 588kW at 6000rpm and torque output from 730kW to a whopping 950Nm at 5000rpm.

The output uptick comes courtesy of a pair of unique turbochargers with larger compressor units and modified core assemblies fitted with uprated axial bearings.

Maximum boost pressure is 1.6 bar (23.2 psi), controlled by a preprogrammed electronic boost pressure control module – a plug-and-play unit designed by Brabus that likewise controls the engine’s injection and ignition mapping.

Brabus says the 2800kg 800 is capable of returning a combined cycle fuel economy figure of 13.4 litres per 100km with CO2 emissions of 275 grams per kilometre. 

Pricing for the Brabus 800 was not detailed in the company’s media release, though it will be well north of the ‘standard’ Australian Mercedes-Maybach 600’s sticker price of $360,800 (before options and on-road costs).