Brabus 800 Black Ops: A Lean, Mean, Performance Machine
As the second-largest Mercedes-Benz tuner in the world (second only to AMG themselves), Brabus has the knowledge and resources to turn production Mercedes vehicles into works of automotive art. While they offer many, many upgrades to the iconic G Class SUVs, they generally leave a few tricks up their sleeve for only their most exclusive, limited-production vehicles. Over the years, they’ve released quite a few G Wagons with exceedingly low production numbers and high price tags, and they’ve always had inventive names for them: the Black & Gold, the “1 of 10” series, the “Final Editions,” among others. One other such offering from Brabus is another entry in the “1 of 10” series is the 800 Black Ops, based on the much-loved G 63.
Performance-Focused
The heart of most Brabus G Wagons is based around their mainstay 4.0-liter V8 motor augmented by two turbochargers, and the 800 Black Ops is no different. Brabus sets the output for this vehicle at a staggering 800 horsepower with 737 pound-feet of torque , which can propel this SUV to 62 miles-per-hour in 4.1 seconds. A custom, stainless steel sport exhaust helps the motor breathe, and like most of these other exclusive Brabus G Wagons, the exhaust tips exit from the side of the vehicle, underneath the rear doors. The exhaust note is a rumbly, throaty rasp that is typical of the current crop of Mercedes V8s that feature a traditional crossplane crankshaft.
The Outside
As with all other Brabus vehicles (and especially so with the 1 of 10 series), the Black Ops features wholly redone bodywork. Brabus calls this look their “Widestar” styling, and is good for an extra four inches of width over the standard G 63. What’s been radically changed or replaced include the front and rear fascias, wide fender flares, and the very aggressive hood with a huge scoop. The new fender flares incorporate enhanced vents behind the wheels to cool the custom-painted brakes during aggressive driving. Additionally, the LED light bars mounted above the windshield have been re-worked with carbon fiber; most of the rest of these panels are finished in a “naked-carbon” look, too. The end result is a very aggressive vehicle with much more street presence.
Want to be able to easily tell if the Brabus G Wagon that you’re looking at is a Black Ops? Take a look at the grille. Next to the large Brabus logo that replaces the stock Mercedes emblem, you’ll find a series of two contrasting red pillars in the grille – this is exclusive to the Black Ops, and provides not only a tell-tale sign that you’re looking at something very exclusive, but also a nice pop of color.
This subtle red colorway can be found sprinkled throughout the rest of the exterior. The forged, bespoke Monoblock F 23-inch wheels sport a blaze of red on the spokes, as well as on the Brabus branding on the rims. Look behind on the calipers and you’ll find that same red logo painted on the calipers, too.
The Inside
Opening the door and climbing in to the cabin, you’ll find that same red thoughtfully applied to the leather piping that trims all of the leatherwork, as well as a the racing-inspired center lines on the steering wheel. The new leatherwork in the cabin of the 800 Black Ops does differ significantly from some more luxury-focused customizations like their Black and Gold. You’ll notice that the seats are much more inspired by performance vehicles than luxury cars; you’ll find firm bolsters, and smooth, perforated leather that remind you this is a purpose-built sport SUV. Again, compare the interior of this vehicle to the Black and Gold, and you’ll see what we mean.
With each order of a Black Ops being infinitely customizable, all of the brightwork and components throughout the rest of the cabin can be customized to the owner’s wishes. For example, different panels can be made in varieties of wood or colored carbon fiber; the sky is essentially the limit. Standard issue parts on the Black Ops also include the proprietary Brabus foot pedals, scuff plates, and door-lock pins. Ultimately, serious and discerning buyers seeking a more sports car-inspired interior compared to some of the usual ultra-luxe cabins that Brabus provides might want to keep their eyes open for an 800 Black Ops, in the lucky event that one comes up for sale.
Conclusion
With only ten in existence, the Black Ops will always be a highly sought-after vehicle on the secondary market, just like all other “1 in 10”-series vehicles. It’s an archetype of everything Brabus is known for these days: aggressive styling, masterful and hand-crafted interiors, and big horsepower numbers. Moreover, it sits in it’s own niche in that lineup, offering the iconic Brabus bodywork with a very sporty interior. The retail on these monsters starts at a hair over $380,000, which is in line with Brabus’ other limited offerings.
The icing on the cake? You can hit your four-second 0-62 time with the kids in the back, and a full trunk of groceries. After all, it’s still a G Wagon!
