Brabus Rocket GTS Deep Blue Is A Carbon Fiber Clownshoe With A Thousand Horsepower

Miami Herald

07-07-2025

Late last year, Brabus revealed the Rocket GTS, a Mercedes-AMG SL 63 turned into a shooting brake that is more than a little reminiscent of BMW's so-called 'Clownshoe,' the Z3 M Coupe. Clad in carbon fiber and delivering close to a thousand horsepower, there wasn't much room for improvement, but the German tuner has found a way to get closer to perfection with a blue-tinted take on the terrific two-door called the Rocket GTS Deep Blue. This package reportedly adds $68,000 to the cost of the already-expensive $1.1 million Rocket GTS.
Brabus modifies various Mercedes-AMG models, but the monoblock wheels on its Rocket GTS are exclusive to the model. The P Platinum Edition rims measure 21 inches in the front, with 22s filling the rear arches, and they're designed to funnel air inward to cool the brakes. They also do a fine job of disguising the extra width, where the rear axle is now more than 78 inches wide, while an integrated ducktail-style spoiler aims to improve downforce.
The entire body, claims Brabus, has been optimized in the wind tunnel using computer-aided design and computational flow dynamics software, so the body isn't just for show. Brabus says that all the carbon has also shaved some weight from the car, though it doesn't say how much. With such exquisite fitted luggage and the addition of a roof, the difference likely isn't much, but anything is an improvement when you start with a 5,115-pound curb weight.
Brabus could easily have boosted the original 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 hybrid system's output beyond its standard 805 horsepower and called it a day, but on a project this special, the tuner chose to completely overhaul the powertrain by boring it out to 4,407 cc. Along with other modifications, the engine produces 784 hp and 921 lb-ft of torque on its own. Alongside the SL 63 S E Performance's rear-mounted electric motor, overall output is now 1,000 metric horses (985 bhp) and 1,342 lb-ft of torque. Because the 9-speed automatic transmission might not sustain that much twist for extended periods, Brabas has restricted torque to 1,195 lb-ft. We're sure that's enough - 0-62 mph takes just 2.6 seconds, and reaching 124 mph from rest is quoted at 9.5 seconds. 0-186 mph? 23.6 seconds, and if you keep your foot planted, the Rocket GTS will keep going until 197 mph.
Brabus has built several blue carbon fiber cars in the past and even some green ones, so if your pockets are deep enough, we're sure just about any tint can be applied. Practicality, performance, and preening all in one package? Perfect.
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