Brabus 850: 838-hp V12 Upgrade for Mercedes-Maybach S 680

The Mercedes-Maybach S 680 remains one of the few new production cars offered with a V12 engine, and Brabus has taken that platform further with its Brabus 850 conversion. The Maybach S 680 ships with a twin-turbo 6.0 liter V12 producing 621 hp (463 kW/630 ps) and 664 lb-ft (900 Nm) of torque, and Mercedes quotes a 0-60 mph (97 kph) time of 4.3 seconds for the stock model. Brabus increases displacement and modifies the powertrain to create a markedly more potent flagship.

Upgrades, performance and equipment

Brabus enlarges the V12 to 6.3 liters, adds a valve-controlled sports exhaust and other engine modifications to deliver 838 hp (625 kW/850 ps) at 5,500 rpm and a peak figure of 1,033 lb-ft (1,400 Nm) at 2,100 rpm. The tuner states that torque is electronically limited to 811 lb-ft (1,100 Nm). According to Brabus the conversion raises output by 217 hp (162 kW/220 ps) and 148 lb-ft (200 Nm) over the standard S 680. Reported acceleration is 0-62 mph (0-100 kph) in 4.1 seconds, with a likely 0-60 mph figure near 4.0 seconds, and top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph (250 kph). The listing notes combined fuel consumption as mpg US (l/100 km) and CO2 emissions of 323 g/km.

Visually the Brabus 850 keeps the Maybach silhouette but adds extensive carbon fiber bodywork: a new front splitter, fascia attachments and rear inserts, plus revised exhaust tips and Brabus-branded trim on the grille, hood emblem and fenders. The conversion rides on Monoblock M wheels sized 9x22 inches at the front and 10.5x22 inches at the rear, finished in a ceramic polished look with a ten-spoke design. Tires are 265/30 up front and 305/25 at the rear. Brabus also fits its Brake Design package and a SportXtra lowering module that reduces ground clearance.

The interior receives Brabus leather across most touchable surfaces in a chocolate tone with quilting, perforation and B embossing, complemented by brown trim, a carbon steering wheel, illuminated door sills and carbon pedal pads. The conversion supplements an already well equipped factory car: rear-wheel steering, the 9G-Tronic automatic transmission, Distronic adaptive cruise control, a 360 degree camera system, heated and ventilated front and rear seats, a rear-seat comfort package with folding tables and a cooling box, a Burmester sound system, ambient lighting and an augmented reality head-up display.

Availability and price

Brabus has not disclosed the pictured car's mileage, and the tuner lists the example on its website for 673,356.74 euros including VAT, which the listing describes as approximately $756,740. For context, Mercedes lists a new Maybach S 680 in the United States starting at about $247,450 excluding destination, while the S 580 begins at roughly $210,200. The Brabus asking price is therefore about three times that starting Maybach figure.

By comparison, a Rolls-Royce Ghost is described in the same market as starting just under $380,000, and a Rolls-Royce Phantom starts near $550,000 for the standard wheelbase and around $630,000 for the extended wheelbase, figures that the tuner-priced Brabus 850 exceeds.