BRABUS has been building the world's
fastest street-legal sedans for several years running. This 'tradition' started in 1996 with
the 330-km/h BRABUS E V12 and reached the next level in 2003 in the guise of the 350.2-km/h
E V12 Biturbo. In 2006 the BRABUS ROCKET, built in small-series production and based on
the Mercedes CLS series, improved the world record to 362.4 km/h. But the BRABUS R&D
team wouldn't be the top-notch engineers they are if they were satisfied with that
achievement. That's why in mid-October of 2006 they once more made the trek
to the world-famous high-speed circular track in Nardo, Southern
Italy. Under the keen eyes of the German Technical
Inspection Agency (TÜV Süd) the 348,000-Euro ultra-performance
automobile improved the world record for street-legal sedans to 365.7 km/h.
The BRABUS
ROCKET is powered by a twin-turbo BRABUS SV12 S engine, fitted into the tight confines
of the four-door's engine bay with almost surgical precision. The engine is based on the
latest 600-series twelve-cylinder engines and was developed by BRABUS (Brabus-Allee,
D-46240 Bottrop, phone + 49 / (0) 2041 / 777-0, fax + 49 / (0) 2041 / 777 111, Internet
www.brabus.com) with the goal of combining maximum power with exquisite running
smoothness
and maximum environmental friendliness.
A special crankshaft, larger cylinder
bore and larger forged pistons increase displacement from 5.5 to 6.3 liters. Airflow in both
intake and outlet manifolds of both cylinder heads is optimized and sport camshafts are
installed.
The engine peripherals also underwent
numerous modifications: Larger turbochargers, a more efficient intercooling system and
a stainless-steel high-performance exhaust system with four exhaust pipes and low
back-pressure metal catalysts are all part of the BRABUS Rocket engine
concept. Newly programmed engine electronics orchestrate the perfect interaction of
all new components and contribute not only to maximum power yield but also to meeting the
latest EURO IV emission limits.
The BRABUS SV12 S Biturbo engine, also
available for all current Mercedes-Benz 600 and 65 models with twin-turbo V12 engine,
produces a maximum power output of 730 hp / 537 kW at 5,100 rpm. Peak torque is 1,320
Nm, but is limited electronically to 1,100 Nm, available from a low 2,100 rpm.
The top speed
of 365.7 km/h, limited electronically for street-legal operation to 350 km/h,
is not
the only attribute that elevates the BRABUS ROCKET to the very top of its
segment. The four-door
is also among the fastest accelerating cars in the world: 0
– 100 km/h in 4.0 seconds, 0 – 200 km/h in 10.5
seconds, 0 – 300 km/h in 29.5 seconds are numbers as unique as this
exclusive BRABUS automobile itself.
