Oh goody, a new Brabus for the Frankfurt show. While it's rather like hearing about the latest Premier League transfer in some respects - huge money, huge power, not likely to ever see one - there remains something deeply appealing about a new Brabus Mercedes. How could you not be keen on a 900hp S-Class? Hopefully it's not just us...
Invite your friends to enjoy 900hp in the sun!
'Rocket' is a tag familiar from the Brabus back catalogue, having once been used on the original CLS. Here it's affixed to an S-Class, specifically a cabriolet, to create the Brabus Rocket 900 Cabrio. Catchy. It's the fastest four-seater convertible in the world, funnily enough.
Based on the S65 AMG, the Brabus doesn't dither around with that poxy 6.0-litre V12 - oh no. Now stroked to 6.3-litres with a new long-stroke Brabus crank, forged pistons, uprated conrods and bigger turbos, the Brabus supports its 900hp with 1,106lb ft (or 1,500Nm in new money). However, the seven-speed auto can't actually cope with that much torque, so it's limited to 885lb ft. And it's still rear-drive only. With a 40 per cent locking differential...
As such, it takes the best part of four seconds to hit 62mph; however, the top speed is claimed to be in excess of 217mph(!). If someone beats you off the lights then you'll probably catch them up... According to Brabus this monumental power "is accompanied acoustically by a symphony of power" with a new sports exhaust that can "change the sound of the turbocharged V12 from Dr. Jekyll to Mr. Hyde."
Don't spill anything on that leather, mind
As you may have already seen, there are some quite significant aero changes to keep the Rocket stable at speed. See the front spoiler, new intake surrounds, diffuser and rear wing. As a buyer you will be able to choose from matte carbon, naked carbon or a "high-gloss protective coating" for those new parts. Furthermore, while the standard wheels are 21s, there is an "even more king-sized option" of 22-inch forged wheels. Don't forget to sort all the interior leather while you're there too!
Brabus hasn't yet revealed a price for the new Rocket 900, only adding that "the world's fastest street-legal convertible is available as a complete car or can be built based on any current Mercedes S65 Cabriolet." So, if you have one knocking around...