06:45 09-02-2026

Brabus Rocket 1000: a 1000-hp V8 hybrid supercar

Brabus has unveiled one of its most radical projects in recent years: the Rocket 1000, based on the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance. Despite the hybrid architecture of the base model, the focus here is squarely on preserving and maximizing the V8 engine, staying true to the brand's philosophy.

At the heart of the project lies a heavily modified twin-turbo V8, its displacement increased from 4.0 to 4.5 liters. After extensive upgrades—including new turbochargers, forged pistons and connecting rods, a reworked crankshaft, and custom ECU tuning—the powertrain delivers 1,000 metric horsepower and 1,820 Nm of torque. The car sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.6 seconds, with a top speed of 316 km/h. Power is sent to all four wheels via the 4Matic+ system and a nine-speed automatic transmission.

The suspension features the Brabus SportXtra lowering module, while the brakes have been reinforced to handle the increased performance. In terms of dynamics, the Rocket 1000 pushes beyond the typical business sedan realm, edging closer to supercar territory. Externally, the car is easily recognizable thanks to abundant carbon fiber elements. It sports a new front splitter, RamAir intakes, a rear wing, a diffuser, and signature side mirrors.

The vehicle rides on Brabus Monoblock P Platinum Edition wheels with carbon-fiber aero discs, wrapped in Continental SportContact 7 tires designed for extreme speeds.

Inside, the cabin is styled in the signature Rocket Red theme. Leather with contrasting stitching, Alcantara on the roof and pillars, embroidered "77" badges, and Brabus logos on nearly every surface emphasize the project's exclusive nature. Yet it retains the full suite of AMG options—from the head-up display and augmented-reality navigation to the Burmester sound system and adaptive ambient lighting.

Priced at €565,979 (roughly $668,000), the Brabus Rocket 1000 costs more than three times as much as the standard Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance in the U.S., which starts around $200,000.

Overall, the Rocket 1000 serves as a statement that the V8 era isn't over, at least in the ultra-exclusive segment. This isn't a car bought for logic or value; it's about emotion, status, and squeezing every last drop from a classic eight-cylinder architecture.