Why feel low about Mercedes-AMG’s decision to cancel the G65 when Brabus has this? It’s a G63 on the finest tuner steroids prescribed by the doctors in Bottrop. Debuting this week at the Geneva Motor Show, the 800 Widestar is what happens to a G-Class when a tuner with a vast amount of knowledge in tuning the off-road icon offers the latest and greatest G a wide array of upgrades.
Starting with the most obvious, the widebody kit muscles up those front and rear fenders to broad the vehicle by 10 centimeters (4 inches) and make space for massive 23-inch wheels. Alternatively, customers can choose for a smaller set (20 to 22 inches), but those wanting to go all out will definitely pick for the largest alloys available. Upfront, generously sized intakes feed the uprated engine and brakes with the much-needed air, while the carbon fiber dual power bulge on the hood lets everyone know this isn’t an “ordinary” G63.
Moving at the back, the custom skid plate and the spare wheel cover finished in pure carbon fiber lend the legendary Mercedes off-roader a sportier vibe further enhanced by the roof-mounted wing. Speaking of the roof, it has gained two LED modules upfront to supplement the standard headlights. Rounding off the exterior tweaks are the auxiliary LED lights mounted within the fender flares to brighten up the side of the vehicle once you open a door.
The more stunning look has a correspondent underneath the hood where the twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 has been massaged to fetch an extra 212 horsepower and 111 pound-feet (150 Newton-meters) of torque. It means the Brabus 800 Widestar provides an impressive 789 hp and 737 lb-ft (1,000 Nm), which is enough for a 0-62 mph (0-100 kph) run in 4.1 seconds. The tuner mentions it had to electronically limit the vehicle’s top speed to 149 mph (240 kph) due to the SUV’s heavyweight. We’d be excited to watch how quick it really is without the limiter, but a bit risky to do it.
Aside from fiddling with the engine and enhancing the body, Brabus also had some time inside the G63 to make the cabin more interesting. The Geneva show car will have a full Cuoio leather interior with diamond quilting and black accents, not to mention a glitzy headliner wrapped in Alcantara inspired by Rolls-Royce’s Starlight option.
We’ll watch the 800 Widestar beginning tomorrow in Geneva where Brabus will also display an amped-up Maybach S650 and a custom electric Smart ForTwo.