Cor blimey: Brabus does a Bentley
New 900 Superblack adds more than 100hp to new hybrid Continental GT, for 208mph potential
Well, this is a surprise. We’ve known Brabus to diversify beyond its core Benz ‘bahnstormers in recent years, taking on everything from the 911 Turbo to the Range Rover, but a Continental GT really is unexpected. Indeed, it’s the first time in nearly 50 years of Bottrop bruisers (Bodo Buschmann founded the company in 1977) that there’s ever been a Brabus Bentley. An historic moment, then.
That being said, this new 900 Superblack very much sticks to the script when it comes to a Brabus makeover. Here’s a very large, very powerful, very heavy car with a V8, that’s now even more powerful, even more attention grabbing and even more, well, black than standard. That’s the Brabus way, after all.
These new models are built from the latest Speed PHEVs, which are already pretty epic in the first instance thanks to 782 electrified V8 horsepower. But clearly that wouldn’t do for a car called the 900 Superblack, so Brabus has fitted its own turbos to the 4.0-litre engine and its own carbon airbox. On a Bentley! With the mapping tweaked to take full advantage of the new hardware’s potential, the V8 on its own now makes 710hp at 6,100rpm - up from a standard 600. Torque jumps from 590lb ft to 664lb ft; add those to the electric motor and you get a brace of Bentleys producing 900hp and 811lb ft.
The result of that is that both GT and GTC from Brabus can reach 62mph in 2.9 seconds. Top speed for the coupe is 208mph, with the drop-top limited to 172mph, presumably so that the Pale Brown beauty doesn’t thunder out of sight too quickly.
See, there’s rather more, as might be expected, to a Brabus Bentley than just ludicrous power. The 900 overhaul also includes ‘tailor-made carbon body components combining sporty elegance, aerodynamic efficiency and perfect fit.’ After all, why make do with a plain old Bentley bodykit when you could have a Brabus one? It comprises a new front end that’s said to improve airflow to the rads and front brakes, the carbon rear diffuser and spoiler duo, and four carbon-sheathed titanium exhaust pipes. Plus perhaps the worst carbon Brabus badges you ever did see. So perhaps sticking with black isn’t a bad idea.
The pair of 900s sit 20mm lower than standard on specially designed 22-inch Brabus wheels; the Monoblock ZM Platinum Edition wheels feature 20 spokes (saves you counting) and sit on Pirelli P Zero tyres. Brabus says the new models offer ‘outstanding traction and lateral grip.’
Inside, plenty has been done to make these more Brabus than Bentley, with the familiar ‘Shell’ design for the new leather absolutely everywhere; from door panel to boot, there’s no escaping it. There’s black leather, black stitching and black carbon, of course; even Brabus’s Nocturne Brown for the GTC is pretty dark. There’s a new clock for the 900s as well, plus anodized aluminium elements and more illuminated logos than is probably necessary. It’s Brabus alright. And apparently the colour palette for the inside is ‘nearly limitless’, so perhaps it doesn’t have to be black after all…
Now, a Bentley with a Brabus Masterpiece interior and 900hp isn’t going to come cheap - they’re almost a quarter of a million quid to start with. Brabus is asking 582,227.19 euros for this particular Superblack, which is more than £500,000. The GTC is 641,205.80 euros, or a little more than £550,000. Maybe there’s a bit to be saved by beginning with the 680hp version of the powertrain, but either way a Brabus Bentley is only for the very big spenders. Presumably if these are a success, they’ll be onto Bentaygas next…
The rest of the aesthetics inside and out I could do without. No doubt the leather is nowhere near the quality of a Bentley hide, infact the shot of the headrest makes it look like BMW Dakota or Mercedes Artico pleather
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