4 Minutes
Brabus’ Rocket GTS: a million-dollar coachbuilt shooting brake
One year after its dramatic debut, Brabus has once again put the Rocket GTS in the spotlight by sharing fresh images of its coachbuilt masterpiece. Based on the Mercedes-AMG SL, the Rocket GTS is a bespoke shooting brake that pairs show-stopping design with serious performance engineering — and a price tag that comfortably sits in seven digits.
Design and coachbuilt bodywork
The Rocket GTS is essentially wrapped in carbon fiber. Brabus sculpted numerous custom panels from scratch, producing an aggressive widebody with extended fenders, pronounced side skirts, a vented hood and muscular air intakes in the front bumper. The rear has been reimagined too: a unique tailgate, twin spoilers, a large diffuser and four circular exhaust outlets give the car an unmistakable stance.
Brabus fitted it with Monoblock P Platinum Edition wheels that complement the car's aggressive proportions. The flat roofline and shooting brake silhouette aren’t merely stylistic flourishes — the tuner says the aero is functional, tuned to increase downforce at high speeds.
"Everything you see out there has a purpose — for stability as much as for looks," a Brabus insider said when the Rocket GTS launched.
Powertrain and performance
Under the hood sits a heavily upgraded 4.5-liter twin-turbo V8, carrying over the SL’s electric motor integration but extensively reworked. The combined output is 1,000 metric horsepower (736 kW/986 bhp) and 1,195 lb-ft (1,620 Nm) of torque. Brabus intentionally reduced peak torque from earlier figures to protect the 9-speed automatic transmission — smart engineering for a car that lives at the edge of driveline limits.
Performance highlights:
- 1,000 metric horsepower (736 kW/986 bhp)
- 1,195 lb-ft (1,620 Nm) of torque
- Claimed top speed around 197 mph (317 kph)
- 0–60 mph roughly two-tenths quicker than the donor SL 63 S E Performance
For context, the stock Mercedes-AMG SL 63 S E Performance delivers about 805 bhp and 1,047 lb-ft of torque, and accelerates to 60 mph in about 2.8 seconds. The Rocket GTS tightens those numbers and adds a radical visual identity.
Interior and exclusivity
The cabin has been comprehensively reworked with Brabus’ signature touches on almost every surface. Expect bespoke upholstery, badges, trim elements and exclusive finishes — everything chosen to match the car’s bespoke exterior. This level of personalization helps justify the asking price.
Price and production
The Rocket GTS is priced at €945,762.50, which converts to just over $1.1 million at current exchange rates. That sum reflects the coachbuilt body, enhanced powertrain, bespoke interior and the engineering required to make a 1,000-hp shooting brake both usable and stable.
Why it matters
This project sits at the intersection of high-performance tuning, luxury customization and coachbuilding. For collectors and enthusiasts who want something rare and extreme, the Rocket GTS offers a provocative alternative to factory specials and aftermarket conversions. It’s a statement car that also performs like one.
Would you spend more than a million dollars on a tuner-built shooting brake? For some buyers, the exclusivity, engineering pedigree and outright spectacle make the Rocket GTS worth every penny.
Key terms: Brabus Rocket GTS, Mercedes-AMG SL, 1,000 hp, shooting brake, coachbuilt, carbon fiber, performance tuning, bespoke interior.
Source: autoevolution
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