Brabus 800: 800 hp, 1000 Nm and a louder AMG V8

The Brabus 800 follows what seems to be the German tuner’s guiding principle: “the more, the better”. The standard 612 hp and 850 Nm - delivered with the thunderous symphony of the E 63 S-derived twin-turbo V8 - clearly were not enough. Brabus had to “fatten” the figures to 800 hp and 1000 Nm, while also turning up the volume.

That extra muscle comes with a visual and aerodynamic package that, importantly, avoids going too far. Brabus itself describes its 800 as a… “wolf in sheep’s clothing” - perhaps in their eyes, but not in ours.

Brabus 800 styling and aerodynamics

Dressed head-to-toe in black - even the bespoke 21-inch forged Monoblock “PLATINUM EDITION” Z wheels were not spared - and set off by red accents, the Brabus 800 looks noticeably more menacing than the E 63 S we know.

Carbon-fibre aerodynamic add-ons do the rest: a front and rear spoiler, a rear diffuser, plus additional air inlets in the grille. The overall effect is tougher and more purposeful, without drifting into cartoonish excess.

The wolf's heart

As expected, the starring role belongs to the powertrain. AMG’s 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 (M 177) has never been known for being shy - quite the opposite - yet Brabus has made it even more extrovert.

Alongside the predictable electronics overhaul - optimised injection and ignition mapping - the V8 receives two new high-performance turbochargers running higher boost pressure. There’s also a dedicated stainless-steel exhaust system designed to reduce backpressure, finished with carbon-fibre tailpipes.

Transmission, tyres and traction

The gearbox remains the familiar nine-speed automatic from the E 63 S, with manual ratio changes available via new BRABUS RACE aluminium paddles. Drive still goes to all four wheels.

Tyres are sized 265/30 ZR 21 at the front and 305/25 ZR 21 at the rear.

Output, acceleration and top speed

The end result is the already-mentioned 800 hp (at 6600 rpm) and 1000 Nm (at 3600 rpm). Those numbers are enough to launch this executive saloon to 100 km/h in an exact 3.0 s (3.4 s in the E 63 S) and on to a (limited) top speed of 300 km/h.

Brabus 800 performance soundtrack

For anyone who loves the V8’s explosive character, the exhaust system includes valves that allow it, according to Brabus, to switch from a very discreet setting - the “don’t wake the neighbours” kind - to “Race” mode, which echoes what we can only assume is the voice of Thor, the god of thunder.

How much does it cost?

Elsewhere, the cabin also gets the Brabus treatment, featuring illuminated door sills with the company logo (their colour changes in line with the chosen ambient lighting theme), aluminium pedals, and a generous range of leather and Alcantara upholstery options, plus trim finishes in wood or carbon fibre.

Naturally, a machine of this calibre was never going to be affordable. The Brabus 800 is listed at close to €255,000 - in other words, roughly twice the price of a Mercedes-AMG E 63 S in Germany. In Portugal, you’d need to add several more tens of thousands of euros in taxes, pushing it beyond €300,000.