The Brabus G V12 900 – The Ultimate Street G Wagon
In the last few years, Brabus has created no small amount of ultra-exclusive, high-performance G Wagons. Models like their Black & Gold, Black Ops, and crazy 6×6 takes on the iconic G Wagon carried high MSRPs when new, and only grow in value on the secondary market. The overwhelming amount of these have 800 horsepower, provided by the legendary Brabus-tuned V8 with twin turbos, and feature all of the low-end grunt and raspy sound everyone has come to love. These V8 motors also boast a respectable 737 foot-pounds of torque.
But perhaps those numbers sound a little low to some folks. Perhaps they say, “You know what? 800 horsepower sounds okay, but I just want more.” If that’s something you’ve ever found yourself thinking, and you happen to have several hundred thousand dollars (actually, just shy of 700,000 of them) burning a hole in your pocket, look no further than the very, very limited-edition “One of Ten” Brabus G V12 900s.
The Mighty Brabus V12
As stated, most of Brabus’ customizations of the Mercedes-Benz G Wagon rely on souping up the excellent Mercedes V8. From a dollars-and-cents point of view, it’s generally agreed that the V8 is likely the wiser choice for most buyers, but suffers from one key pitfall – it just doesn’t have twelve cylinders. Enter the Brabus-tuned V-12, a motor that would impress even the most jaded of gearheads. It’s good for 900 horsepower and a staggering 1,106 pound-feet of torque, which is more than enough to propel this vehicle to a top speed of 174 miles an hour, limited by electronics (incidentally, the real-world torque has also been limited to 885 pound-feet). In other words – this is the fastest G Wagon that has ever been made.
In order to achieve these rarified numbers, Brabus has essentially rebuilt the entire motor, beginning with a stroked, one-piece billet crankshaft, specially made for Brabus to handle high amounts of boost pressure. In addition to the extra stroke from the crankshaft, the cylinders have been bored out to achieve a final displacement of 6.3 liters; forged pistons and custom, balanced connecting rods round out the rotating assembly. Additionally, the turbochargers have been extensively modified to increase available boost. A custom, gold-lined intake module has been specifically designed for the G V12, and a custom exhaust (side-exit, as is the norm on Brabus G Wagons) not only looks great, but helps the massive engine breathe. A common feature on other Brabus G Classes is a user-selectable exhaust dampener, enabling a choice between raucous “Sport” mode and a quiet mode literally called “Coming Home;” these selections are still present on the G V12. Most of these details might normally be overlooked at the local Cars & Coffee, but Brabus has also replaced the cheap plastic engine surrounds with beautiful, woven-carbon pieces and “Brabus 900” badging, so we’d suggest displaying this vehicle with the hood open as much as possible.
It doesn’t stop at the motor, either; the G V12 900 is equipped with a nine-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, which not only helps the straight-line acceleration, but results in a vehicle that’s pleasant and controllable for long trips on the highway. The transmission drives the bespoke, monoblock Brabus Z wheels, which are 24” in diameter, rather than the 23” wheels that other Brabus G Wagons usually sport. You’ll also find an adjustable “Ride Control” suspension, which can also control the height of the vehicle to help with egress, or to lower the center of gravity a bit during high-speed pursuits.
External Customizations Abound
Otherwise, on the outside, the G V12 sports Brabus’ signature “Widestar” bodywork, which tacks on an extra 4” of width to the standard G Class platform. As anyone would expect, there’s ample carbon fiber thoughtfully worked into the bodywork from every angle, most notably on the large hood scoop, brake vents, and spoiler above the trunk. Large Brabus badging replaces all standard Mercedes ornamentation, and G V12-specific branding is tastefully sprinkled around all four sides of the vehicle. While the G V12 is immediately recognizable as a Brabus-tuned G Class and has very similar styling cues as some other limited-edition offerings, the wheels and badging will clue the discerning aficionado in as to just how remarkable this vehicle is.
Scalloped Leather? Yes, Brabus Can Do That
Brabus is famous for their interiors, and the G V12 900 features an appropriately lavish interior. Their iconic scalloped leather adorns all surfaces in the cabin, from the seats, to the center console, right down to the floor mats; the only exception to this is the headliner, which is made from Alcantara. Unlike some other limited-editions from Brabus which features matching upholstery, the interior is finished in a color that contrasts the dark paint, which also helps to lend a dignified air to anyone riding in the cabin. Nearly everything not made of leather is made of custom carbon fiber or aluminum, which includes the “1 of 10” badging tastefully placed around the interior. As you’d expect for a vehicle of this exclusivity and price, the interior is of the absolutely highest quality that Brabus – or anyone else, for that matter – can produce.
Last Word
Brabus’ “One of Ten” program might seem to limit production to an extreme, but it’s actually quite brilliant – given the highly specialized, time-consuming and bespoke nature of each of their offerings, it wouldn’t make sense to put most of these unique iterations into full production. By only producing ten of each iteration, they don’t need to worry about making sure their latest insane customization is commercially viable, or the logistics of handcrafting hundreds of world-class cabins and bodywork kits. Instead, the “One of Ten” program enables them to match the specific, right vehicle with the specific, right buyer. While Brabus does refer to the G V12 900 as an “off roader,” it’s clear that this is decidedly more street-focused than most of their other spins on the G Wagon, which will help drivers take full advantage out of every pony under that massive hood scoop, and do so in supreme comfort and style.
