Skip to main content

Brabus turns the ferocious Mercedes E63 AMG into a 850-horsepower Biturbo Monster

Brabus is a German tuning company that specializes in taking already fast Mercs and making them ridiculous. Brabus is the opposite of subtle, an antonym for modesty. 

The company’s first contract dates back to 1984, where founder Bodo Buschmann modified a fleet of 200 Mercedes 190Es with aftermarket parts. Since then, Brabus has only gotten crazier.

The highlights include an 800 horsepower S600 luxury sedan, a 720 hp, CLS-based “Bullit”, and a 455 hp G500 SUV. They even made a tricked-out Smart Fortwo. According to a report by In Auto News, Brabus raised the bar even further with a tuned version of the Mercedes E63 AMG.

Dubbed the 850 6.0 Biturbo, this Brabus maniac churns out – you guessed it – 850 ponies from its twin-turbo 6.0-liter V8. For reference, the standard E63 AMG has just a 5.5-liter V8 with 550 hp. A drowsy sloth by comparison.

The extra power comes from a new crankshaft, increased engine displacement, larger turbos, and forged piston rods. A 7-speed Multi Clutch Technology (MCT) transmission helps the rear-wheel-drive car rocket from 0 to 60 in 3.7 seconds.

Brabus also offers a 4MATIC all-wheel-drive version, which cuts that time down to 3.1 seconds. Given the right road, this car can reach 217 mph.

Other additions include a high-flowing exhaust, which has butterfly valves that allow you to customize the engine note. Want a muted, more civilized sound? Select “Coming Home” mode. Want to set off some car alarms? Simply press the  “Sport” button and let the V8 sing.

While the performance of the Biturbo borders on insanity, the interior looks comfortable, plush, but still aggressive. Quilted leather upholsters the seats, and accents like aluminum shift paddles and Brabus race pedals ornament the cabin. 

The price? As they say, if you have to ask, you probably can’t afford it. The 850 6.0 Biturbo can be ordered as a whole car for just over $405,000. Or, Brabus can modify your car for you, taking the already-menacing E63 AMG and turning it into a Biturbo monster.

Andrew Hard
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Andrew first started writing in middle school and hasn't put the pen down since. Whether it's technology, music, sports, or…
Tesla and Elon Musk sued over use of AI image at Cybercab event
tesla and spacex CEO elon musk stylized image

Tesla’s recent We, Robot presentation has run into trouble, with one of the production companies behind Blade Runner 2049 suing Tesla and its CEO, Elon Musk, for alleged copyright infringement.

Tesla used the glitzy October 10 event to unveil its Cybercab and Robovan, and also to showcase the latest version of its Optimus humanoid robot.

Read more
Qualcomm wants to power your next car with the Snapdragon Cockpit and Ride Elite platforms
Qualcomm Snapdragon Cockpit Elite and Ride Elite automotive platforms

It’s been a big year for Qualcomm. Alongside its massive launch into laptop chips through the Snapdragon X Elite series, Qualcomm is now entering the automotive space. The company has announced the new Qualcomm Snapdragon Cockpit Elite and Snapdragon Ride Elite platforms at its annual Snapdragon Summit, which it flew me out to attend.

The two platforms are designed for different purposes, and can be used togetheror separately. The Snapdragon Cockpit Elite is built for in-vehicle infotainment systems and services, while the Snapdragon Ride Elite is built to power autonomous vehicle systems, including all the cameras and sensors that go into those systems.

Read more
Scout Traveler and Scout Terra forge a new path for EVs
Scout Traveler and Scout Terra.

Electric vehicles are inseparable from newness, whether it’s new tech, new designs, or new companies like Rivian, Lucid, and Tesla. But the Volkswagen Group’s new EV-only brand also relies heavily on the past.

Unveiled Thursday, the Scout Traveler electric SUV and Scout Terra electric pickup truck are modern interpretations of the classic International Harvester Scout. Manufactured from 1961 to 1980, the original Scout helped popularize the idea of the rugged, off-road-capable utility vehicle, setting the stage for modern SUVs.

Read more