Brabus ute offers supercar cred to 10 lucky buyers

REVEALED by Mercedes-Benz performance modification specialist Brabus this week is what’s called the P 900 Rocket Edition One Of Ten, an AMG G63-based pick-up (ute) with super car performance.

As the name suggests, you’ll have to be quick because production will be limited to 10 units worldwide.

Brabus is not a company to do things by halves. In a history dating back decades, the German-based automotive engineering and aftermarket company has earned a reputation for taking high performance to another level with a focus on Mercedes-Benz cars.

But the P900 Rocket Edition takes the cake.

In the face of new energy, whisper quiet, monumentally powerful, ‘green’ super and even hyper-cars comes this raucous, gas guzzling, CO2 belching sledgehammer of a truck boasts up to 1250Nm of torque, 662kW from a petrol-powered 4.5-litre twin turbo V8 engine that pushes the brick-like vehicle to a V-max of 280kmh.

Despite the heft of it, P900 Rocket Edition can get down to combined fuel ‘economy’ of 14.4-litres/100km and 330g/km of CO2, Brabus says.

Brabus rightly describes the P900 Rocket Edition as a next-level performance pick-up that is as unmistakably Brabus-brash as anything going before it from the company. It has given a new identity to the boxy, old-school Benz SUV never before seen.

The company has effectively combined the uncompromising strength of the Brabus XLP off roader and the confident power of a track-ready supercar for the very first time. They say it’s a “purebred Brabus masterpiece” but is to us at GoAuto it’s more a crossbreed with a mongrel’s bite.

From the Mercedes-AMG G63 donor vehicle comes a nasty thing radiating unstoppable energy and hallmark Brabus elegance in every detail. Under the utilitarian-looking bonnet is the Rocket 900’s beating heart… a 4.5-litrer V8 twin-turbo with specially developed turbochargers.

The gargantuan output guarantees scintillating performance but is thankfully delivered in a controlled fashion thanks to advanced engineering.

The interior design specialists of Brabus’ own saddlery have developed a bespoke, fully handcrafted two-tone leather interior, characterized by an extravagant “Seashell Diamond” quilting pattern and impeccable attention to detail.

The P900 Rocket Edition features Brabus’ Widestar exterior concept what they call: “An essential part of the supercar’s exclusive design.”

The front fascia inserts and front spoiler are made from pre-preg exposed carbon fibre as well as the striking “Rocket Red” side flaps in concert with the distinctive “Rocket Launch” ambience light integrated into the carbon front grille to give the P900 Rocket Edition its distinct, aggressive face.

That’s along with 24-inch Monoblock Z Platinum Edition Aero-Disc forged wheels as well as a high-performance valve-controlled sports exhaust system, developed to provide ‘earth-shattering’ sounds and striking Brabus looks no matter where an owner may journey. No artificial sound generators here thank you. 

The P900 Rocket Edition was developed to expand and enhance the company’s signature Rocket design language while maintaining their typical wow factor in every detail. This is the debut of Brabus’ PowerView. bonnet, designed to offer a direct view of the twin-turbocharged V8 engine.

The upgraded carbon fender (mudguard) flares as well as the rear diffuser complete with accentuating side flaps, round off the P 900 Rocket Edition’s identity.

The fully Brabusized engine pushes this muscular looking pick-up from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.7 seconds transmitted instantly via a nine-speed automatic transmission, which can be shifted automatically or manually. With an electronically limited top speed of 280km/h, you could say the P900 Rocket Edition is ready for take-off.

The stainless-steel high-performance exhaust system complete with full-carbon tailpipe trims, actively controlled valves and integrated Rocket launch ambience light provides the right acoustics and looks while perfecting power delivery by reducing exhaust backpressure.

Active sound management enables the driver to switch between an exceedingly throaty V8 sound in ‘Sport’ mode and a subtle whisper in ‘Coming Home’ mode at the touch of button.

With RideControl aluminum coil-over suspension, the ride height can be adjusted by up to 45mm significantly improving driving dynamics through a lower centre of gravity. High-performance tyres are supplied by Continental.

No Brabus would be complete without a bespoke, fully handcrafted interior design to complete its unmistakable looks. Refined down the last detail, the elegant two-tone leather concept combines black with Rocket Red and impresses with its finish, complete with a special diamond quilting as well perforations applied with pinpoint precision around the entire cabin including the seats, trim elements and the foot wells.

Integrated into the centre console is a Panerai Luminor design analogue watch that underlines the pickup’s next-level look and feel.

Many interior elements have been finished with the Heritage brand pattern, which pays tribute to Brabus’ founding year – 1977.