AMG E63 Sedan

Segment
Sedan

The Mercedes-AMG E63 S 4Matic sedan is already a monster of a car, capable of accelerating to 60 mph in a supercar-like 3.3 seconds. Brabus must have looked at this figure and thought it was cute, but more on that later.

The standard E63 S is what happens when you equip a humble executive sedan with a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 that produces 603 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque. For most of us mortal beings, that's quite enough. We spent a few days with one of these, which seemed frisky enough. It could do with additional safety features, but the power output is ample.

That's where Brabus comes in. The Brabus ethos is to take a car with too much power and add some more. And then, when the said car reaches a point where the tires can't cope, it adds more power.

Its latest product is called the 900, and it's based on the E63 S. Brabus says it's a wolf in sheep's clothing. It calls the 900 "unostentatious," though we're not 100% sure we agree with that assessment.

To differentiate the 900 from the car it's based on, Brabus includes signature "B" badges, 21-inch Monoblock Z Platinum Edition forged wheels painted black, loads of carbon fiber inserts on the outside, and contrast red 900 badges on the flanks. Let's say if you parked the standard car and the Brabus side-by-side, you wouldn't have a hard time telling them apart.

Still, this E-Class-based 900 is neither as ridiculous as the GLE 63 900 Rocket nor as ostentatious as the G63 900 Rocket. The latter looks like it has parts from at least three different aftermarket body kits pasted to it.

But enough about the design. In a Brabus, the engine dominates the experience, and this 900 has an exceptional engine. It's not just a simple ECU tune but close to an entire engine overhaul.

First, Brabus increases the engine size from 4.0 to 4.5 liters. We didn't think this was possible, given the compact size of Merc's famous twin-turbo engine. Brabus also adds its high-performance turbocharging system running 1.4 bar of boost, taking the power output up to 900 horsepower and 774 lb-ft of torque. This engine's actual torque output is 922 lb-ft, but Brabus had to limit the torque output to protect the 4Matic + AWD system, which was never designed to handle that kind of twist.

To make the car as vocal as possible, Brabus adds three-inch downpipes. Brabus was kind enough to include a silent "Coming Home" exhaust mode to ensure you don't anger any wealthy Karens in the neighborhood.

Other upgrades include a modified intake system, a revised engine management system, and high-tech lubricants.

The new performance figures are mighty impressive. This practical four-door sedan will outsprint a Ferrari 296 GTB. The Italian stallion gets to 62 mph in 2.9 seconds. The Brabus gets there in 2.8. Ferrari's 488 replacement gets to 124 mph slightly faster in 7.3 seconds, but the Brabus is less than two seconds behind at 9.7 seconds. Both cars top out at 205 mph, though the Brabus is electronically limited to protect the tires.

Remember, the Brabus is a 4,500 lbs practical sedan. The 296 GTB is 3,241 lbs of supercar royalty.

The exterior carbon fiber enhancements are functional, designed to keep the car on the ground at above 200 mph.

On the inside, Brabus adds its fine leather and Alcantara upholstery, precious wood and genuine carbon fiber inlays, Brabus race paddle shifters, door lock pins made from aluminum instead of plastic, and backlit Brabus scuff plates.

The interior is entirely customizable, and Brabus is more than happy to do any color you can imagine.

Brabus did not release any pricing, but there are two ways you can get a 900. You can either buy the whole package (car included), or you can take an existing E63 S and have it completed in stages.