BRABUS SV12 R Biturbo 800 raises the bar on luxury with speed

I have to admit to losing track of all the various Brabus models – but their very existence demonstrates that there’s no lack of appetite to spend the kind of money on cars that some people would look to mortgage on a home. And the Brabus SV12 R Biturbo 800 probably has more technology and gadgets fitted than most houses too.

But Brabus introduces this new model to us as “The World’s Most Powerful and Fastest Luxury Saloon”, so in addition to the feature-rich “iBusiness” installation this is clearly an executive express for those with money but very little time to enjoy it. 788 bhp and a peak torque of 1,420 Nm (1,047 lb-ft) transform the humble Mercedes S 600 into a bahn-stormer with few compromises.

Displacement of the V12 engine that normally powers the latest Mercedes 600 models is increased from 5.5 to 6.3 litres. The displacement increase is the product of a special crankshaft with longer stroke, precision-balanced piston rods, larger-diameter pistons and corresponding larger cylinder bore. The inner workings of the BRABUS engine are modified further by high-performance camshafts and flow-optimized cylinder heads.

The new air intake was custom-developed to fit in the available space under the hood of the S-Class. The combustion air is routed through a special carbon-fibre system. Also newly developed was the Brabus Biturbo system with two special high-performance manifolds with integrated turbine housings and high-performance turbochargers. The system also includes four water-to-air intercoolers. The Brabus stainless-steel high-performance exhaust system with sport catalysts and four exhaust tips with Brabus-characteristic design optimizes power and gives the engine a more dominant exhaust note.

The SV12 R Biturbo 800 engine produces 788 bhp at 5,500 rpm and an even more impressive peak torque of 1,420 Nm (1,047 lb-ft), available from a low 2,100 rpm, but for technical reasons peak torque is limited electronically to 1,100 Nm (811 lb-ft). All this adds up to extraordinary performance. Acceleration times from 0 to 62 mph of 3.9 seconds and of just 10.3 seconds to 124 mph are as unmatched in this vehicle category as is the electronically limited top speed of 217 mph.

To ensure that this level of performance can be enjoyed safely at all times Brabus also significantly upgrades suspension, brakes and aerodynamics. Active Body Control suspension lowers the ride height by some 15 mm, new 380 mm 12-piston aluminium brake callipers are fitted to the front and the carbon-fibre adorned exterior modifications have all been developed in a wind tunnel.

The SV12 R Biturbo 800 features state-of-the-art multimedia equipment including the innovative Brabus “iBusiness” concept, where the Brabus specialists have for the first time integrated Apple components into the vehicle electronics of the Mercedes S-Class. Brabus combines this high-performance technical feast with exclusive interior options that suit each customer’s personal taste down to the last detail. These options include fully leather interiors in any colour imaginable, Alcantara supplements and exclusive wood trim sets which can be ordered in any desired color thanks to an innovative staining technology.

Sounds very tempting – all you’ll need to do is decide whether to drive your SV12 R Biturbo 800 or retire to the rear seats and enjoy the gadgets. That’s assuming you have the time to do either…