High-performance specialists at Brabus have decided that the most powerful production Mercedes of all time, the SL 65 AMG Black Series, could do with a touch more… power. Apparently 670PS and 1000Nm of torque just wasn’t enough.

So, Brabus’s tuned T65 RS engine ups the output of the 6.0-litre V12 to 800PS (788bhp), with a massive peak torque of 1420Nm (1047lb ft), although torque is electronically limited to a mere 1100Nm (811lb ft).

And acceleration? Well, strap yourself tightly into this two-seater, as it promises to take you from rest to 200km/h (124mph) in 9.8 seconds. That’s 200km/h, mind you, not your more usual 100km/h (62mph), which you’ll skim past in just 3.6 seconds. Top speed is claimed to be more than 330km/h – or 206mph – but, should you want to put it to the test, you’ll find the electronic limiter cutting off the fun at 200mph. It’s to protect your tyres.

The T65 RS tuning upgrades are multiple and fairly complex, but include Brabus’s own twin-turbo system with exhaust manifolds that contain integrated turbine housings and turbochargers. Four, large intercoolers are installed under the Brabus carbonfibre bonnet scoop, while a stainless-steel exhaust system with free-flow metal catalysts was specifically designed by Brabus for the Black Series upgrade. Needless to say, newly programmed engine electronics coordinate the interaction of all the high-tech components.

Cosmetically, Brabus offers various options for the upgraded car, from matt black paint to personalised logos on the illuminated scuff plates and speedometer.

See www.brabus.com for more details.

Text - Charis Whitcombe
Photos - Brabus