The Brabus Rocket 900 is a 330km/h AMG GT63 4dr

By topgear, 27 October 2020

Running out of fresh and exciting ways to scare the kids? You’ll be wanting the new Brabus Rocket 900. As you can see, the Rocket is based on Merc’s AMG GT 4dr – so it’s essentially a practical luxury sedan – but then again, this is Brabus we’re talking about here.

Thus, under the bonnet is a heavily re-worked version of the GT 63 S’s 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8. We’ll run you through the numbers first to give you a sense of what this thing is about.

The Rocket 900 makes 900hp and 1050Nm of torque. It’ll do 0-100km/h in 2.8 seconds, 0-300km/h in 23.9 seconds and will reach a top speed of 330km/h. All the while weighing a smidge over 2.1-tonnes. Sheesh.

The engine, then, is bored out to 4.5-litres with a new crankshaft and larger forged pistons. The standard turbos are replaced with two Brabus high-performance units too, and there’s a carbonfibre air intake system that grabs air from both sides of that front grille.

Brabus also fits a high-pressure fuel pump, a remapped ECU and a stainless-steel exhaust system, although the nine-speed auto gearbox remains as standard.

As has often been the case with Brabus, that’s why there’s *only* 1050Nm of torque. Apparently, that figure is electronically limited from the 1250Nm that the engine naturally produces. The top speed is also reined in by electronic baby-sitters in order to protect the tyres.

Those tyres are also the reason for the rather dramatic arch extensions. With ultra-wide rubber on the rears, Brabus engineers developed a widebody kit that makes the 4dr 7.8cm wider than the standard car. What do we think of the looks? All of the extra aero is made from carbonfibre (of course) and we have to admit we’re huge fans of the aero discs on those new forged wheels.

There’s a custom Brabus interior design too, which includes new aluminium paddle shifters behind the steering wheel and a whole heap of stitching – because you can never have enough quilted leather. Although on second thoughts, maybe that’s too much.

Just ten of these Rocket 900s will be built.

STORY Greg Potts

Related Articles