BRABUS GmbH, founded 1977 in Bottrop (Ruhr Area), Germany, is a high-performance aftermarket tuning company which specializes in Mercedes-Benz, Smart, and Maybach vehicles. Brabus became the largest Mercedes tuner, other than Mercedes-AMG which became a DaimlerChrysler affiliate in the 1990s.

History

The company began with Bodo Buschmann wanting to customize his cars, but discovered most existing customizers could not meet his thought or requirement, so he decided to start his own brand. After Buschmann had decided to start his own brand, BRABUS GmbH was originally registered in 1977 at Germany with Buschmann’s friend Klaus Brackman because German law required a company must be established with at least two people. The company name was derived from the first three characters of the founders’ surnames (Brackman, Buschmann). Following the company’s foundation, Brackman did not show interests in modifying vehicles or running a business, so he sold his company shares to Buschmann for 100 euros.^[1]

In 2012, BRABUS GmbH had started building its third factory in Bottrop.^[2]

Operations

Brabus’s primary focus is to achieve maximum engine performance through the increase of horsepower and torque. Customers can either buy cars from Brabus, or send in their car to be customized and/or overhauled. Customers ordering a car directly involves Brabus purchasing a particular model from Mercedes and then modifying it according to the customer’s requests. Brabus is known for providing expensive tuning and custom solutions.

Brabus also offers cosmetic modifications including low profile spoilers, bodykits, carbon fiber splitters, and multi-piece alloy wheels. Other upgrades include racing LSDs, open racing exhaust systems, twelve-piston disc brakes, and engine remapping. Customers can also have complete engine overhauls, or have new crate engines from AMG modified for them.

Brabus engines range from small 200 horsepower (150 kW) K4 blocks for SLK roadsters and CLK-Class to the 900 horsepower (670 kW) twin-turbo blocks for the S-Class.^[3] The company also provides improvements to the interior from custom upholstery, gauges, shiftknobs, pedals, and trim to various electronics such as wider LCD screens for the Maybach.

Brabus models

The company has built special editions of Mercedes-Benz, Maybach, and Smart vehicles.

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Brabus Bullit (Mercedes-Benz C-Class, W204 Platform) 6.3 litre twin turbo V12
Brabus C V8S (Mercedes-Benz C-Class, W203 Platform) 6.1 litre V8 with enhanced camshaft profiles and higher output
Brabus C V8 (Mercedes-Benz C-Class, W203 Platform) 5.8 or 6.1 litre V8
Brabus C V8 (Mercedes-Benz C-Class, W202 Platform) 5.8 litre V8

Mercedes-Benz CL-Class

Brabus SV12 S Coupé (CL 600)
Brabus T 13 Coupé (CL 600)

Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

Brabus Rocket (CLS-class)

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Brabus E V12 (E-class)
Brabus E V12T- The Mercedes E-Class Wagon based V12T utilized a 7.3L V12 from the SL73 AMG roadster, the Brabus Sport Wagon had 582 horsepower and 571 lb·ft (774 N·m) of torque and would seat seven. Brabus used Mercedes 5-speed automatic to handle the torque, and with rear-wheel drive it reached sixty in 4.6 seconds.
Brabus Black Baron (E-class)

Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Brabus G 3.6 (G-class)
Brabus G55 AMG K8
Brabus v8 B11
Brabus G V12 (G-class)
Brabus V12 S (G-class)
Brabus 700 G63 AMG 6×6
Brabus 800 Widestar (G-class)^[7]

Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class

Brabus GLK V8 (GLK-Class)v8 201

Mercedes-Benz ML-Class

Brabus ML 63 Biturbo (ML 63)
Brabus ML 7.3 (w163)

Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Brabus S500 (5.0l V8)
Brabus SV12 S Limousine (S)
Brabus T 13 Limousine (s 640)
Brabus SV12 R (S600) iBusiness (750 hp)
Brabus SV12 R (S600) iBusiness/ Limousine (800 hp)
Brabus 850 S63 AMG iBusiness/ Limousine (850 hp/1450 Nm)
Brabus Rocket 900 (900 hp/1500Nm)

Mercedes-Benz SL-Class and SLS-Class

The Brabus K8 performance kit for the SL model (SL55) includes modifications to the supercharger incorporating a custom vibration damper and pulley, high-performance metal catalysts, and an auxiliary circulation pump with opposing radiator. Power is increased from a standard 476 hp (355 kW) to 550 hp (410 kW) at 6,200 rpm. The maximum torque is 780 N·m (580 lb·ft) at 3,000 rpm. The roadster is claimed reach 60 mph (97 km/h) in 4.1 seconds, passes 120 mph (190 km/h) after 13.6 seconds and reaches an electronically limited top speed of 186 mph (299 km/h).

Brabus SV12 S Roadster (SL 600)
Brabus T 13 Roadster (CL 600)
Brabus SL 55 K8 Roadster (SL 55)
Brabus SL 65 Roadster AMG(SL 65 AMG Daniel Madar)
Brabus SLS 700 BiTurbo

Mercedes-Benz Viano

Brabus 6.1 V8 Bi-Turbo ( n,hk Viano 3.2 long)

Maybach

Brabus SV12 S (Maybach 57(S) / 62(S))

Smart ForTwo

Brabus Canada 1 (smart fortwo 450 cdi coupé and convertible) – 4 made for Canada (3 red, 1 white)
Brabus edit10n (smart fortwo 451 70 HP coupé) – 10 made for Canada – all Grey metallic/tan leather
Brabus Ultimate 112 (smart fortwo convertible)
Brabus electric drive (smart fortwo electric vehicle)^[8]