Named after the first three characters of its two founders' surnames (Brackmann and Buschmann), Brabus is a tuning company that strives for maximum performance through the increase of horsepower. And it could all be seen from its current lineup of Brabus Masterpiece creations, which ranges from a 'mere' output of 592bhp to a mind-blowing 986bhp.
Best known for its work on Mercedes-Benz cars, Brabus is a company that provides complete tuning packages. From bodykits and exterior pieces, customised interiors, suspension upgrades, ECU tuning, to complete engine packages - Brabus works its magic on every component to create something truly special. You can imagine just how excited I was when I knew I'll be getting a tour of the Brabus Factory in Bottrop, Germany!
Brabus nut-and-bolt restored classics
Stepping into Brabus felt like we have been transported to the 1960s - sitting prettily in front of us were two rows of Mercedes-Benz Pagodas in perfect condition. I really mean it when I say perfect - as even after taking a closer look, I'm still finding it hard to believe that these aren't brand new cars that have just rolled out of Mercedes-Benz's factory floor.
As we have been told, each of these cars have gone through a thorough restoration by Brabus that includes stripping the car to its bare shell, and put back together with every single component replaced or restored. A gander at the engine bay and the interior confirmed everything - these cars are as good as, or in fact even better than when they were new.
The restoration works of Brabus' classic department include classic Mercedes-Benz cars such as the W113 SL, also known as the Pagoda, and the legendary 300SL. Apart from complete restorations, Brabus also works on the classic cars from owners in the region and internationally.
A look into Brabus factory
Brabus HQ in Bottrop consists of a cluster of buildings that houses various workshops, a dealership showroom and a large warehouse. We were brought around the facilities where the Brabus Masterpiece models are created, and it was a lot to take in.
Upon walking through the first door, we found ourselves in an area where brand new carbon fibre body components were being inspected - the carbon fibre parts are manufactured in a separate facility that is located some 10km away. Just next door, small plastic parts were being produced using 3D printing and silicone-molding processes.
With processes such as this, quality components to suit Brabus' specialised needs can be produced in limited quantities without incurring massive manufacturing costs. Due to the exclusive nature of Brabus' creations, the same ethos, which emphasises quality over mass-production ability, can be observed throughout the factory.
The powerful engines, extravagant leather interior, intricate wiring and aggressive bodykits are all hand built and put together by master technicians and craftsmen in the company's Bottrop facility to ensure the highest quality control.
And to complete such an extensive level of work in-house, Brabus has invested in state-of-the-art machineries such as CNC milling machines, 3D printers, metal bending machines, along with many other specialised upholstery machines to work on the brand's iconic leather interiors (each Brabus Masterpiece interior requires the hides of 22 cows).
Calling Brabus a tuner might seem like a misnomer
With the extent of Brabus' work, it doesn't seem entirely apt to call it a tuner. Why do I say so? Well, all Brabus products go through thorough research and development and rigorous testing that is far beyond what most aftermarket tuning companies does. And the result speaks for itself - Brabus' wind-tunnel tested aero upgrades has resulted in a reduced drag of 7% on the Mercedes-Benz EQS, a car that's already known to be highly aero-optimised.
Then there's the legendary Brabus 6x6 G Wagon, which is built with countless bespoke features, including the custom fully-independent suspension setup, portal axles, a 10-shock absorber suspension system and of course, the six-wheel drive drivetrain with five differential locks.
Another incredible creation that we got to witness is the Brabus Crawler - a unique off-road vehicle built upon a fully bespoke tube-frame chassis, plenty of carbon fibre and most of the drivetrain from a G Wagon along with Brabus' Rocket 900 engine package, allowing it to go from 0-100km/h in less than four seconds in sand.
As wild as all these creations are, Brabus ensures that their products are all properly engineered and built. All Brabus engines are covered by a three-year warranty and are tested to be robust enough for daily use despite their incredible power output. All of its products are also TUV approved and can be used on road-going vehicles in Germany without any problems. It even has a climate-controlled rolling-road dyno room to test its cars in various operating conditions, including localised climate and fuel to ensure a trouble-free experience for its international customers.
An excellent partnership
Our visit to Brabus HQ was part of a tour hosted by Continental Tires to visit its longstanding partner. Tyres are vital to harness the performance of Brabus' incredible creations, as such the two brands have been working closely together.
We were told that the Brabus 900 Rocket R (based on the Porsche 911 Turbo S) was only able to achieve a certified top speed of 340km/h due to the collaboration with Continental Tires - the latter got its SportContact 7 tyres certified at a higher speed rating to make it happen.
This time, Continental Tires and Brabus worked together once again to test the limits of Continental's latest made-for-Asia Pacific MaxContact MC7 to its limits with Brabus' 750 Bodo Buschmann Edition - a supercar based on the Mercedes-AMG SL63 that can complete the century sprint in 3.3 seconds and reach a top speed of 315km/h.
After the eye-opening tour of Brabus HQ, it was clear to see why Brabus is the perfect fit to work with a tyre company such as Continental - there's no better vessel than the brutal cars from Brabus to push the boundaries of tyre technology.
