There are undoubtedly more sporty cars than a Mercedes G-Class. And yet the square from Graz is the favorite of all tuners. Industry leader Brabus is now driving the trend to extremes with the G 900 Rocket Edition.
These forces are otherwise only known from the forces of nature: landslides, avalanches, spring tides come to mind when you sit behind the wheel of the Brabus G 900 Rocket Edition for the first time. Although it weighs 2,5 tons and is as streamlined as an overseas container, the angular classic is faster than the ego of some Porsche drivers would like thanks to a very special strength training program: just a little square in the back of the rearview mirror, the two of them grin Button eyes with the glistening bright LED spotlights just a few seconds later so fat and format-filling through the rear window that all you have to do is escape into the right lane. “Take a seat, now I come” is the unmistakable message of this heavy hum, which seems to ignore the laws of nature as well as concern about the climate, the trend towards electrification or the alleged dwindling fascination for cars. Because apparently there are still enough fans and fanatics who invest the value of a country house in the turned ironic irrationality on wheels and transfer at least 570.000 euros to Bottrop. And so many customers don't have to be enthusiastic about the Rocket Edition - after all, Brabus doesn't want to build more than 25 cars.
Right at the top of the SUV
If you get hold of one of them, you get an off-road vehicle that Brabus has taken to the extreme three years after the last generation change. Although the official G 63 with its 585 PS is not exactly slim and Brabus is already selling a G800 with 800 PS, the engineers in Bottrop have refilled and squeezed their biggest powerhouse under the hood: with the V4,5 engine that has been drilled out to 8 liters The Rocket, based on the four-door GT, is transformed into the “Rocket Edition” of the G-Class, which with 900 hp and 1 Nm is taking the Olympus of off-road vehicles by storm.
The G is still babbling from its two glowing red illuminated tailpipes as calmly and peacefully as a Riva yacht on the shores of Lake Como. No wonder, so far the eight pots have also been idling. But as soon as the little toe touches the accelerator pedal, a feat of strength begins that can rarely be seen on the road. Although traction problems are otherwise a foreign word for G drivers, the car only jerks deeply and the huge rollers rub for a dangerous long time on the asphalt until the 2,5-ton truck shoots away like a catapult. Even if you can't fully use the maximum torque with regard to the fragile automatic and have to be content with 1.050 Nm, the primeval dinosaur accelerates to 3,7 km / h in 100 seconds and doesn't allow itself to be slowed down by reason. Where AMG puts a stop to the hustle and bustle at 240 km / h, the huge rocket from Bottrop flies over the runway at speeds of up to 280 km / h, which Brabus has rented especially for the test drives.
Beautiful is different
But Brabus wouldn't be Brabus if it were only about the engine, a correspondingly modified chassis and brakes, which can also put a stop to this load. Brabus also takes on the look of the G-Class and puts the edgy classic in a martial armor made of carbon that catches everyone's attention with sills and spoilers. The fact that the boundaries of good taste are - well - stretched a bit is something that self-promoters have to accept approvingly.
Noble interior
And they knock out the interior more thoroughly than Maybach itself would in Stuttgart. Of course you can argue about style, and some may feel reminded of the elegant studio of a luxurious dominatrix by the dark leather with the red stitching that alternates with shiny carbon now over all, but really all consoles. But a G-Class has not yet been refined with more finesse.
And even if the most attractive place in this car is on the front left, Brabus has even shown a heart for backbenchers and installed two luxurious individual seats there. The folding tables for working are hopelessly superfluous because you can't think clearly when riding the rocket anyway. But chilled drinks from the center console can do no harm, just like looking at the additional instruments on the headliner. Then you not only know what has struck the hour, but also why the world out there can only be seen in Schlieren.
Technical data
Four-door, five-seater luxury off-road vehicle; Length: 4,62 meters, width: 2,04 meters (width with exterior mirrors: not specified), height: 1,44 meters, wheelbase: 2,89 meters, trunk volume: KA
4,5-liter V8 turbo; 662 kW / 900 PS, maximum torque: 1.250 Nm at 2.900 rpm, all-wheel drive, nine-speed automatic, 0-100 km / h: 3,7 s, Vmax: 280 km / h, standard consumption: 14,4 liters / 100 Kilometers, CO2 emissions: 330 g / km, emissions standard: Euro 6d, efficiency class: G, price: from 571.270 euros
In brief
Why: where else can you unhinge physics with your little toe
Why not: because with this car you - well - not only earn admiration
What else: Maybe a conversion by Mansory or one by Rolfhartge or, if necessary, the original.
When does he come: after the summer holidays