Brabus has unveiled a new open-top SUV based on the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, packing 800 horsepower and serious off-road capability.
Brabus is best known for extensively modifying Mercedes-Benz vehicles. The German tuner made headlines this summer with a new supercar based on the Aston Martin Vanquish. Now, the company has returned to its roots with the Brabus 800 Cabrio, an open-top SUV built around the Mercedes-Benz G-Class.
The new model is available in two versions. One of them, the Brabus 800 XL Cabrio, is designed with greater emphasis on off-road driving. Both versions use a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 producing a claimed 800 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque. Brabus has reworked the Mercedes-Benz engine and fitted it with two new turbochargers.
Power is sent through a nine-speed automatic transmission, with drivers able to take manual control using carbon-fiber shift paddles. Four-wheel drive comes standard. With the standard setup, the SUV can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 4.0 seconds, while top speed is electronically limited to 149 mph.
The Brabus 800 XL Cabrio is distinguished by portal axles and off-road tires. As a result, it needs 4.6 seconds to reach 62 mph. The standard version rides on 24-inch forged wheels and gets the wide-body styling that has become a signature of Brabus vehicles. The XL version, meanwhile, offers nearly 18.9 inches of ground clearance and uses 22-inch wheels.
Turning the G-Class into a convertible required extensive structural work. Brabus reinforced the body with high-strength steel to increase torsional rigidity, allowing the open-top SUV to match the standard G-Class in this area. The two-section roof consists of more than 500 components and takes up to 20 seconds to open or close. A heated glass rear window is integrated into the soft top.
Brabus says it has introduced a carbon-fiber cross member into the front section of the roof for the first time in the automotive industry.
The rear portion of the soft top transitions into a steel hoop integrated into the vehicle's body structure. Inside, the company combines natural leather with carbon fiber, while the seats also feature dedicated neck heating for added comfort.
Brabus plans to build just 50 examples of each version, making the 800 Cabrio an especially limited take on the Mercedes-Benz G-Class.