German über-tuner Brabus has turned the Mercedes-AMG SL into a shooting brake, with naked carbon fibre bodywork cooked up in an autoclave.
It’s called the Rocket GTS and the clown-shoe styling is the product of CAD, CFD and wind tunnel for enhanced aero performance. Brabus calls the look “Hyper Gran Turismo” and while some of the exaggerated flares, vents, ducts might be a little over-the-top, any shooting brake scores a bullseye as far as we’re concerned.
It’s as fast as a bullet too, with a 986bhp iteration of the AMG hybrid powertrain. Delivering the biggest blow is an enlarged 4.5-litre V8 biturbo combustion engine, enhanced by a titanium exhaust, forged pistons, milled conrods and crankshaft, and new turbos. It sends 785bhp to all four wheels via a nine-speed transmission. There’s an additional electric drive unit, with its own two-speed gearbox and 6.1 kWh lithium-ion battery pack adding a further 201bhp when needed. Together they deliver 1,342lbft of torque, yet that has to be limited to 1,194lbft of twist to protect the drivetrain.
Brabus says the Rocket GTS is one of the fastest hybrid cars in the world, claiming a 0-62mph of 2.6 seconds, 0-124mph in 9.5 seconds, and 0-186mph in 23.6 seconds. Top speed limited to 197mph.
The chassis is updated to include Brabus’ own sports springs and brakes, with monoblock forged center-lock wheels featuring carbon aeroblades to better disperse heat.
The interior retains its 2+2 seating arrangement, although headroom might be a bit tight in the back, and the cabin is decked out in acres of leather and carbon fibre, with an unusual seashell diamond quilt pattern for the sports seats.
It’s proof once more that few cars can’t be improved by a spot of shooting brake styling. Bravo Brabus.
