The Brabus 850 Is A Mercedes-Maybach S-Class With 838bhp And Anger Issues

The Mercedes-AMG S63 E-Performance isn’t exactly wanting for power, producing an unholy 792bhp from its 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 hybrid powertrain. ‘Pah’ is what Brabus (probably) says to that figure, though, as the famed Merc fettler has just revealed its 850, which makes even more than that. What’s more, it doesn’t need electrical assistance to get there.

The starting point for this creation is the uber-luxurious Mercedes-Maybach S680, which means it’s powered by a twin-turbo V12. Except here, the original snails have been swapped for a pair of Brabus’ own, the displacement has grown from 6.0 to 6.3 litres, and the internals are now forged, so they won’t melt when dealing with the fury of the fresh turbos.

We really do mean ‘fury’ - the enlivened 12-cylinder engine now puts out 838bhp and 811lb ft of torque, or 1,100Nm. The V12 is actually capable of putting out an even more monstrous 1,033lb ft, but Brabus has had to turn it down a little to preserve the all-wheel drive system and nine-speed automatic gearbox.

The Maybach S680 isn’t exactly a light starting point, so despite the colossal power output, the 0-62mph time perhaps doesn’t sound the most earth-shattering at 4.1 seconds. Still, once you’re on the move, the Brabus will no doubt have little trouble in making it feel like your insides are being compressed with every full-throttle application. The top speed meanwhile is electronically limited to 155mph.

Just bear in mind that when it comes to slowing down, you are expected to call upon the standard stoppers, so far as we can make out - Brabus makes no mention of mechanical brake upgrades, although the reworked front bodywork is said to do a better job of cooling them down.

The suspension is also mechanically the same as before, but there is a new control module which lowers the air springs by a further 20mm. Also on the chassis front, you get Brabus’ 22-inch ‘Monoblock Z’ wheels.

Inside, there’s an abundance of quilted leather, heaps of carbon fibre, and over 300 (!) plastic parts (think switches and air vents) that now have a “shadow chrome” finish. Plenty of attention to detail, then, for which you’re expected to pay steeply. The Brabus 850 is €549,020.78, or about £475,000 - more than double the starting price of a Mercedes-Maybach S680.