Mercedes-Benz discontinued the G-Class Cabriolet in 2013, causing a silent mourning in the world of the ultra-rich. But in Bottrop, home to Brabus, the word "no way" is not familiar. They took the current AMG G 63, cut off the roof, added portal axles, and created something that is both an engineering marvel and a complete madness. Meet the Brabus XL 800 Cabrio.
Let's be honest.. No one really needs an SUV that has the aerodynamics of a brick, accelerates faster than most Porsches, and has a roof that folds down so the whole world can see your new haircut (and your ego). But motoring isn't a matter of needs. It's a matter of wants. And if your desire is to be able to stop at a traffic light in Monte Carlo If you look down on Ferrari drivers – literally and metaphorically – then Brabus has just created your dream car – Brabus XL 800 Convertible.
This is not just a reworking; it is Brabus XL 800 ConvertibleLimited to 50 copies, meaning the odds of meeting another one are less than winning the lottery while being struck by lightning.
Engineering “Haute Couture” or how to cut off the roof of a tank
Let's clear up the technical side first. Brabus XL 800 Convertible, because it's fascinating. Brabus didn't just take an angle grinder and saw off the roof. They developed a completely new soft-top system consisting of more than 500 components. Yes, five hundred. The roof opens or closes in a mere 20 seconds, which is just enough time to put on your sunglasses and pretend not to notice all the phones pointed at you.
The body has been reinforced to maintain the torsional rigidity of the closed G 63. This is crucial, because you don't want your two million car to bend like a piece of overstuffed cardboard when you pull up to the curb in front of the opera. At the rear, they've installed a carbon arch that elegantly (if we can use that word for the G-Class) blends into the body.
The Heart of the Monster: The Numbers That Move Tectonic Plates
Under the hood, adorned with a huge carbon hump (Powerdome), hides a 4.0-liter V8 engine with two turbochargers. But since this is Brabus, serial numbers were not enough. They replaced the turbines, changed the electronics and the result is:
- Power: 588 kW (800 hp) at 6,600 rpm.
- Torque: Electronically limited to 1,000 Nm (737 lb-ft), otherwise you'd probably tear up the asphalt or send the transmission into orbit.
What does that mean in practice? This “kiosk on wheels” shoots from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 4.6 seconds. Let that sink in for a moment. A vehicle that weighs as much as a small church accelerates like a sports car. Top speed is limited to 210 km/h (130 mph). Trust me, at that speed in a convertible of this size, you’ll feel like you’re riding a rocket.
Portal axes: Because why not?
If you think 800 horsepower is enough, you're wrong. Brabus has fitted the XL 800 with portal axles. This is a technology usually found on Unimog military vehicles for traversing the toughest terrain. Here, it serves to make you taller than everyone else.
Ground clearance is an incredible 47.9 centimeters (18.9 in). That’s almost half a meter! That means you can easily pass police cars, curbs, or even a smaller Toyota Yaris if it’s your thing (just kidding, don’t do that). It all sits on massive 22-inch (22 in) Monoblock Z-HD wheels with off-road tires. Brabus calls it “Off-Road Couture.” I call it “I don’t need the road because I bought the landscape.”
Interior: Discreet as a volcanic eruption
The exterior of the model shown here is painted in “Pale Brown,” which sounds understated until you see all the carbon fiber Widestar bodywork. But the real shock comes when you open the doors.
The interior is dressed in “Ravion Red” leather. Everything is red. The seats, the dashboard, the door panels. The “Shell” quilted leather patterns are a masterpiece of craftsmanship. Is it flashy? Absolutely. Is it tasteful? That’s debatable, but in the world of Brabus, more is always better. The contrast between the calm exterior and the wild interior is like a banker wearing a dragon tattoo across his back under his suit.
"This is not a car for the shy. It's a megaphone on four wheels."
Consumption and Ecology (Only for those with a strong stomach)
If you're concerned about the environment, skip this paragraph. Combined fuel consumption is 20.1 l/100km and CO2 emissions are 456 g/km. This car probably melts a glacier every time you start it. But let's be real - the buyers of this car don't have a loyalty card for fuel discounts. They have an oil well.
Below the line_ Brabus XL 800 Cabrio
Brabus XL 800 Convertible is the definition of excess. It's completely irrational. It's too big, too loud, and too expensive. And that's exactly why it's fantastic. In an age where cars are becoming sterile and electric, Brabus retains that primal, gasoline-powered madness.
The price? If you have to ask, you can't afford it. But for the lucky 50 people who park this beast in their garage, every drive will be an event. Is it the best car in the world? Objectively not. But it's probably the most fun way to waste your inheritance while insulting every environmentalist within a ten-kilometer radius. And sometimes that's all we need.
