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Brabus Transformed Mercedes-Benz's Small SUV Into The Speediest In Its Category
- The GLK V12 Possessed Disappointing Heritage
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Brabus looked down at the GLK's standard engine options.
- The foundations of the GLK V12 engines also received a tweak.
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Brabus Continues to Create Wild SUVs
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The GLE 900 Rocket is almost as fast as its V12 predecessor.
Historically, the role of an SUV has been to offer families the functionality and adaptability needed to effortlessly handle daily chores like grocery shopping and ferrying children to school. Additionally, they should be capable of navigating trips to the beach or adventurous drives deep into wooded areas without fear of becoming immobilized. However, in contemporary offerings, particularly among higher-end models, these vehicles now come equipped with enhanced performance capabilities.
Models like the Lamborghini Urus and BMW XM Not only do they boast robust engines, but they also feature sophisticated suspension systems that enable them to navigate curves with agility comparable to sports cars or supercars. Despite their capabilities, no mass-produced performance SUV has managed to surpass the top speed set by an exceptional vehicle from Germany that surfaced almost two decades back.
Brabus Transformed Mercedes-Benz's Small SUV Into The Speediest One In Its Category
A lot of car enthusiasts probably won't be surprised to hear that this tale includes Brabus, one of the most revered and influential modification companies in the automobile industry. Since the firm's establishment in 1977 It has enhanced Mercedes’ already impressive models even further, pushing them beyond their limits both in terms of performance and design. Brabus generally avoids mere superficial changes or just adding larger turbos for extra power; instead, they thoroughly delve into redesigning each vehicle to achieve peak potential.
In 2009, they presented their newest creation to the public. Derived from the GLK model, this car swiftly claimed the title of the quickest SUV available, achieving an impressive maximum speed of 211 mph even though its shape was boxy like a brick.
The GLK V12 Possessed Unimpressive Heritage
Although most Mercedes models eventually undergo the AMG transformation, the GLK-Class It stood out as an anomaly. Initially launched in 2008, this model was fundamentally a compact edition of the high-end GL-Class SUV, crafted specifically for improved maneuverability in urban areas and parking lots compared to its bigger counterpart. Throughout its production run, it came equipped with various inline-four and V6 powertrains, topped by the highest output choice—a gasoline-fueled 3.5-liter six-cylinder engine.
Despite producing just 268 horsepower, which meant the GLK would not show significant improvements in performance, Brabus believed they could enhance this aspect somewhat without merely modifying the engine. However, for an investment of $433,000 back then—equivalent to almost $650,000 nowadays—Brabus was leaving nothing untouched in their approach.
Brabus looked down at the GLK's standard engine options.
The initial move was to install one of its latest SV12 R Biturbo V12 engine beneath the hood of the GLK, with this power unit being derived from Mercedes' 5.5-liter M275 unit This engine configuration was typically seen in premium variants such as the S 600 and CL 600. Brabus’ skilled technicians increased its displacement to 6.3 liters, enhanced it with a reinforced crankshaft, installed a new exhaust system, and fitted larger turbos. Additionally, they engineered an improved cooling mechanism designed to maintain optimal operating temperatures for this powerful engine.
Brabus employed this engine across various models beyond the GLK V12, including the S-Class-derived SV12 R and the convertible version based on the SL, known as the SV12 R Roadster. This powerhouse generates a staggering 750 horsepower—more than triple what you'd find in the strongest stock GLK model. Torque peaks at an impressive 995 lb-ft but is capped at 811 lb-ft within the GLK to prevent excessive wear. Four-wheel drive channels the immense power through a five-speed auto gearbox, with a limited-slip diff ensuring optimal traction during acceleration.
These upgrades enabled the large vehicle to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.2 seconds and reach an astounding top speed of 211 mph—a feat unmatched by any other production SUV. The remarkable velocity was achieved through various aerodynamic modifications made to the front and sides of the GLK. These adjustments were fine-tuned using a wind tunnel to decrease drag while enhancing stability simultaneously.
The GLK V12 engines also received some fine-tuning.
Apart from focusing on linear dynamics, Brabus aimed to enhance the GLK V12’s poise and surefootedness through corners. bespoke suspension setup It was crafted specifically for the GLK V12, featuring fully adjustable components at both the front and rear to guarantee optimal setup regardless of the type of terrain. Considering how significantly faster the GLK would travel compared to standard models, Brabus equipped it with an enhanced braking system as well.
The massive 12-piston aluminum calipers were paired with ventilated steel disks at the front, whereas six-piston units were installed at the back. Although the GLK V12 might have gone overboard in several aspects, let’s face it, this is par for the course for Brabus. After all, the firm isn’t becoming more subdued as time progresses; quite the opposite, actually.
Brabus Continues to Create Wild SUVs
Although the GLK V12 still holds the title of being the quickest SUV ever built, Brabus’ 900 Rocket Edition comes very close to matching its performance. Based on the Mercedes-Benz GLE 63 S Coupe The luxury SUV can achieve speeds up to 205 mph before its power wanes. Brabus modified almost all aspects of the standard GLE to produce theRocket, outfitting itwith an extensively revamped exterior and interior design, underscoringits exclusive status asone of the most scarce SUVs ever manufactured.
Only 25 units of the Brabus GLE 900 Rocket Edition were produced, each carrying a price tag slightly under $500,000 upon their release in 2021. Despite being costly, this vehicle offered exceptional value with its remarkable performance capabilities.
The GLE 900 Rocket is Almost as Swift as Its V12 Predecessor
It features a twin-turbocharged 4.5-liter V8 engine equipped with bigger turbochargers and various enhanced parts as opposed to the regular Mercedes-provided component. These upgrades collectively generate an astounding output of 900 horsepower, surpassing the GLK V12’s capability by a substantial margin of 150 horsepower. This makes it one of the most powerful options available. Brabus has produced some of its most powerful vehicles ever. Even so, with a quicker 0–60 mph acceleration of 3.2 seconds, it still falls short of matching the peak performance of its predecessor. Similar to the GLK V12, the 900 Rocket sends its power to all four wheels, yet via a more refined nine-speed automatic gearbox.
Thanks to the 900 Rockets Active Sound Management system, the V8's robust sound can be toned down during relaxed driving, only to come alive whenever you desire.
The GLE 900 Rocket can reach up to 205 mph, which is quite impressive for a functional SUV but still falls short of outpacing the GLK V12. However, this maximum velocity is capped by an electronic speed limiter. It would be interesting if some intrepid owners with these vehicles could disable this feature temporarily to discover their true top speeds. As always, ensure you inspect your tires beforehand for safety reasons; after all, caution comes first.
Sources: Brabus .