Brabus’ gold-finished, 850-hp S63 AMG is a sports car fit for kings

By Andrew Hard December 15, 2014

Few people are able to leave social moderation behind and embrace the truly glamorous side of life. For that lucky minority, there’s Brabus.

Over the years, the famed Mercedes-Benz tuner has developed a reputation for show-stopping looks and pulse-pounding power, and it doesn’t look like that trend is stopping any time soon.

The German company has announced its latest iteration of the S63 AMG, and it’s one that would make King Midas proud. While the color may stray closer to caramel than pure gold, the Merc’s satin paintjob wears a bevy of carbon fiber jewelry and is offset by Brabus’ exclusive Monoblock alloys.

The styling revamp continues inside the cabin, where you’ll find two-tone white and gold upholstery, Brabus badging, and a myriad of carbon fiber trim. On the dash, there’s a slick new speedometer that goes up to 400 kmh (248 mph), hinting at the biturbo beast lurking under the hood.

Powering the rear wheels is modified version of the S63’s 5.5-liter, 585-horsepower V8. The AMG powerplant has been increased to 5.9-liters under Brabus’ care, and it now produces a whopping 850 hp.

What’s even crazier is the transmission-crunching torque figure: 1,069 pound feet. For longevity’s sake, Brabus limits output to 848 lb-ft between 2,500 and 4,000 rpm.

The sedan’s performance figures haven’t been released yet, but we expect o to 60 mph times to dip into the 3.5-second range.

Brabus might be known for street-cracking power and menacing style, but the Bottrop-based outfit isn’t relegated to just one part of the Mercedes range.

The Brabus Mercedes-Benz G 500 Convertible, announced earlier this year, could be the high riding savior of the apocalypse … or a high-rolling getter of groceries.

Brabus added its signature ‘Widestar’ body kit and blackened headlights to the droptop G-Class, with 455 hp on tap to remind you of what type of vehicle you’re in.

The upgraded thrust, courtesy of a 5.5-liter V8, allows the G 500 to hit 60 mph in 5.6 seconds.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Photo Galleries

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Andrew first started writing in middle school and hasn't put the pen down since. Whether it's technology, music, sports, or…

Cars

Rivian R2 vs. Ford Mustang Mach-E: Will the R2 be a better buy?

Side of the Rivian R2

The Rivian R2 has finally been announced, and it could end up being the go-to EV for drivers who want a decently affordable electric car with a rugged look and feel. But when it finally launches to the public, it won't be the only option in its price range -- the Ford Mustang Mach-E could be one of its main competitors.

The Mustang Mach-E may not be quite as rugged-feeling as the Rivian R2, but it does have a lot going for it -- like an increasingly low price, sleek design, and comfortable interior. Is one of these EVs better than the other? We put the two head-to-head to find out.
Design
The first thing to note about the two cars is their design, as they’re pretty different. The Rivian R2 is built to be a little more rugged and outdoorsy, while the Mach-E instead has a sleeker and sportier look to it. Both cars look stylish and modern.

Cars

2025 Mercedes-Benz EQS sedan gets new face, bigger battery

2025 Mercedes-Benz EQS sedan front-quarter view.

The Mercedes-Benz EQS sedan arrived during the 2022 model year as the flagship of Mercedes' EV fleet. But now that it's been on sale for a few years, it's time for this flagship to get a refit so that it can stay competitive with other six-figure electric sedans like the BMW i7, Lucid Air, and Tesla Model S. The updated EQS sedan is scheduled to reach dealerships later this year as a 2025 model.

One of the most controversial features of the EQS has been its unorthodox streamlined shape, which makes the EQS one of the most aerodynamic sedans around, but also means it doesn't look much like a traditional Mercedes. For 2025, the EQS takes a step closer to that traditional look with a new grille featuring chrome bars like on the Mercedes S-Class. It also sports the brand's trademark hood ornament.

Cars

Best electric car charger deals: $100 off home charging stations

The handle of the Grizzl-E EV charger plugged into a vehicle.

A few years ago, electric vehicles were pretty rare or cost a fortune, but with more and more of the larger car brands getting into the game, there are a lot of excellent and even budget-friendly choices nowadays. That said, the electrical network for charging your cars might not be that widespread, so instead you'll have to rely on charging your car at home. Luckily, there are a lot of excellent car chargers at a discount, so if you've just bought an EV or want to upgrade your current charging solution, be sure to check out our favorite deals below.
Shockflo EV charger — $205, was $220

This EV charger by Shockflo is a Level 2 EV charger, which offers six times faster charging than a standard charger. It delivers 24 miles with just one hour of charging, and it can act as a mobile charger you can throw in the trunk or be mounted to a wall. It has an LCD display with useful information like charging rate, voltage, and charging time, as well as LED indicator lights that lets you know charging progress and errors.