Brabus Bakes a Breadvan with SL Ingredients
German über-tuner Brabus has turned the Mercedes-AMG SL into a shooting brake, with naked carbon fiber bodywork cooked up in an autoclave.
It’s called the Rocket GTS and the clown-shoe styling is the product of CAD, CFD and wind tunnel for enhanced aero performance. Brabus calls the look “Hyper Gran Turismo” and while some of the exaggerated flares, vents, ducts might be a little over-the-top, any shooting brake scores a bullseye as far as we’re concerned.
It’s as fast as a bullet too, with a 1000-hp iteration of the AMG hybrid powertrain. Delivering the biggest blow is an enlarged 4.5-liter V-8 biturbo combustion engine, enhanced by a titanium exhaust, forged pistons, milled conrods and crankshaft, and new turbos. It sends 796 hp to all four wheels via a nine-speed transmission. There’s an additional electric drive unit, with its own two-speed gearbox and 6.1 kWh lithium-ion battery pack adding a further 204 hp when needed. Together they deliver 1342 lbft of torque, yet that has to be limited to 1194 lbft of twist to protect the drivetrain.
Brabus says the Rocket GTS is one of the fastest hybrid cars in the world, claiming a 0-62 mph of 2.6 seconds, 0-124 mph in 9.5 seconds, and 0-186 mph in 23.6 seconds. Top speed limited to 197 mph.
The chassis is updated to include Brabus’ own sports springs and brakes, with monoblock forged center-lock wheels featuring carbon aeroblades to better disperse heat.
The interior retains its 2+2 seating arrangement, although headroom might be a bit tight in the back, and the cabin is decked out in acres of leather and carbon fiber, with an unusual seashell diamond quilt pattern for the sports seats.
It’s proof once more that few cars can’t be improved by a spot of shooting brake styling. Bravo Brabus.
