40 years of BRABUS

From a passion for fast, exclusive cars to a global player: When Bodo Buschmann founded BRABUS in 1977, he never dreamt that this company would grow into the world’s largest independent tuner and popular manufacturer of unique high-performance automobiles over the course of four decades.

The young company of the car enthusiast quickly picked up steam. Soon it was not only Mercedes drivers from the region who brought their cars to Bottrop to have it tastefully refined. Word about the outstanding work done by the BRABUS team quickly spread. Consequently, it didn’t take long before cars sporting the BRABUS logo stood out from the uniform crowd on the roads not just in all of Germany, but also in Europe and the entire world.

Today, BRABUS maintains its own subsidiaries in the USA and the United Arab Emirates. BRABUS Flagship Stores can by now be found in London, Miami, Moscow, Paris, Tokyo, Zurich, and starting in 2018 at Düsseldorf’s premier address as well, the Königsallee. There is also a BRABUS Flagship Store in Beijing, the capital of the People’s Republic of China. What is more: this tremendously important market is served by over 40 BRABUS Centers of Excellence nationwide. One hundred and six importers around the globe make the road to a BRABUS automobile as short and easy as possible!

In 1984, Bodo Buschmann was able to land his first big contract, almost unimaginable for its scale in this industry at the time. Car rental specialist Erich Sixt agreed to upgrade his rental fleet with 200 Mercedes 190 E cars equipped with BRABUS tuning. These eye-catchers not only helped SIXT to differentiate itself from its competitors. Many of those who rented one of these always solidly booked sedans for a day or two subsequently became loyal BRABUS customers.

Not because of this alone, the business had by now grown on a scale that urgently necessitated more space. In 1986, the company moved to the new building on Kirchhellener Strasse, which was further expanded to then 112,000 square meters (1.2 million square foot) of operating space with a large addition in 1999. In 2012, the BRABUS Plant 3 in Bottrop came online. The BRABUS Plant 4 with 2,000 square meters (21,500 square foot) of usable space followed in August 2014. It houses the BRABUS Classic Division. In late 2014, the new BRABUS Plant 5 with 2,625 square meters (28,200 square foot) of usable space was inaugurated.

Holding status as a vehicle manufacturer with the German Federal Department of Motor Vehicles (Kraftfahrtbundesamt), BRABUS began to make quite a splash with such spectacular cars as a Mercedes 190 E powered by a V8 engine or with a lightweight-design version of that same vehicle.

At the same time, development began on the world’s most extensive product range of high-performance engines for Mercedes-Benz automobiles, unchallenged to this day. In 1992, BRABUS presented the BRABUS 6.9 increased-displacement engine for the V12 of the Mercedes 600 model. With a rated power output of 375 kW / 509 HP (503 bhp), it unlocked a new performance dimension.

Today, the BRABUS ROCKET 900 6.3 V12 twin-turbo increased-displacement engine rated at 662 kW / 900 HP (888 bhp) and a peak torque of 1,500 Nm (1,106 lb-ft) represents the benchmark for powerful and durable engine tuning for Mercedes-Benz automobiles. This high-performance power unit is available for the current S 65 models.

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Transplanting an increased-displacement engine with as many cylinders as possible into a relatively small body has always been one of the hallmark traits of the BRABUS product portfolio.

The BRABUS E V12 in the body of the W 210 model series gained entry into the Guinness Book of World Records in 1996 powered by a 7.3-liter (445 cu. in.) naturally aspirated engine that produced 428 kW / 582 HP (574 bhp) for a top speed of 330 km/h (205 mph). The record-setting car’s successor was based on the next E-Class generation. Its V12 twin-turbo engine produced 471 kW / 640 HP (631 bhp), propelling it to a top speed of 350.2 km/h (217.6 mph). It was only logical then that an even faster BRABUS 800 E V12 based on the W 212 model series E-Class would follow the first BRABUS ROCKET, the world’s fastest four-door coupe with a top speed of 365.7 km/h (227.2 mph). Which in turn was succeeded by the BRABUS 800 ROCKET, based on the second generation of the CLS, with a top speed in excess of 370 km/h (230 mph). Another highlight was the BRABUS GLK V12, which set a speed record for street-legal SUVs with a top speed of 322.3 km/h (200.3 mph).

Outstanding performance of this kind has always substantiated the excellent reputation we enjoy with customers and media outlets around the globe.

At the same time, BRABUS also has always pointed the way with regard to the environmental compatibility of its high-performance vehicles. The BRABUS E V8 Diesel of 2001 was the first compression ignition engine altogether to be equipped with a particulate filter and was consequently the first diesel to comply with the EURO IV emission standards, which were not even in effect at the time yet.

Over time, the company expanded into numerous other business fields and became BRABUS GROUP. In 2002, the company celebrated its 25th anniversary and in a joint venture with Daimler AG founded smart-BRABUS GmbH, which has been the official factory tuner for smart cars ever since.

That same year, BRABUS once again demonstrated its leading role in the tuning industry by introducing the one-of-a-kind three-year or 100,000-kilometer/62,000-mile BRABUS Tuning Warranty® (see BRABUS Warranty Terms and Conditions, updated July 2013).

Since 2008, the BRABUS ZERO EMISSION business division has been working on the development of alternative powertrain concepts and the refinement of electric cars.

Another milestone in the company history is the BRABUS Classic division, which specializes in the perfect restoration, servicing and trading of vintage Mercedes-Benz cars. A Mercedes 300 SE, masterfully restored by BRABUS Classic Division, won the award for best restoration at the 2013 Classic Cars Challenge China. At the TECHNO-CLASSICA 2017 show, a Mercedes 600 Pullman newly rebuilt from the ground up by BRABUS Classic was honored as the best sedan of the show at the Concours d’Elégance of organizer S.I.H.A. due to its outstanding authenticity and flawless workmanship.

BRABUS Business transforms a wide range of die Mercedes models including the Sprinter van into offices on wheels with state-of-the-art communication technology and exclusive interior appointments.

The customers of the Bottrop-based company are not alone in recognizing the perfection the team applies in working on each car and each tuning component. The readers of Germany’s leading car magazine, auto motor und sport, voted BRABUS the best tuning brand for what was already the eleventh time running in 2017.

Even the Dubai Police drives a BRABUS! Since November 2013, a BRABUS 700 WIDESTAR based on a Mercedes G 63 and powered by an engine rated at 515 kW / 700 HP (690 bhp) has been part of the fleet of the Dubai Police.

The BRABUS team will continue to do everything possible to keep writing automotive history with fascinating engineering!

Milestones from 40 years of BRABUS

1977 Founding of BRABUS by Bodo Buschmann

1979 First BRABUS customer from the United Arab Emirates

1982 Development of the first multimedia systems for cars

1983 Opening of the first BRABUS showroom in Bottrop

1984 Founding of CAR RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT (CRD)

1985 First world record: Mercedes sedan of the W 124 model series with BRABUS aerodynamic-enhancement kit is measured in the wind tunnel at a Cd value = 0.26. Entry in the Guinness Book of World Records

1986 Construction and occupation of the new BRABUS company building on Kirchhellener Strasse in Bottrop
Development and world premiere of the first BRABUS increased-displacement engine, the BRABUS 3.6

1988 Presentation of the BRABUS 3.6 S Lightweight Design based on the Mercedes 190 E

1989 Development and world premiere of the first BRABUS four-valve increased-displacement engine, the BRABUS 3.6 – 24

1992 Development and world premiere of the first BRABUS 12 cylinder increased-displacement engine, the BRABUS 6.9

1993 Presentation of the first BRABUS E V12 with implantation of the BRABUS 6.9 increased-displacement engine

1994 BRABUS is named factory tuner by Bugatti

1995 Development and world premiere of the BRABUS C V8 based on the Mercedes C-Class (W 202)
Development and world premiere of a stretched BRABUS business version of the Mercedes S-Class (W 140)
Development and world premiere of the BRABUS carbon-fiber high-performance braking system

1996 Development and world premiere of the BRABUS 7.3 12 cylinder increased-displacement engine
BRABUS E V12 based on the Mercedes E-Class (W 210) sets a world record for street-legal sedans with a speed of with 330 km/h (205 mph). Entry in the Guinness Book of World Records

1997 Development and world premiere of the BRABUS SLK V8 based on the Mercedes SLK (R 170)
BRABUS T V12 based on the Mercedes E-Class Wagon (S 210) sets a new world record for street-legal wagons with a speed of 320 km/h (199 mph). Entry in the Guinness Book of World Records

1998 Opening of the American branch BRABUS North America in Newport Beach, California
BRABUS M V12 based on the Mercedes M-Class (W 163) sets a new world record for street-legal SUVs with a speed of 260 km/h (162 mph). Entry in the Guinness Book of World Records

1999 Expansion of BRABUS Headquarters in Bottrop
Founding of STARTECH
Development and world premiere of the BRABUS refinement product range for the smart

2000 Development and world premiere of the BRABUS C V8 based on the Mercedes C-Class (W 203)

2001 ISO 9001 certification
Development and world premiere of the BRABUS C V8 Sports Coupe based on the Mercedes C-Class (C 203)
Development and world premiere of the BRABUS E V8 Diesel based on the Mercedes E-Class (W 210)
Development and world premiere of the BRABUS Business concept for the Mercedes S-Class (W 220)

2002 BRABUS celebrates its 25-year anniversary
Founding of smart BRABUS GmbH, a joint venture with Daimler AG
Introduction of the 3-year, 100,000-kilometer/62,000-mile BRABUS Tuning Warranty
Founding of BRABUS Yachtcharter

2003 Development and world premiere of the BRABUS CLK K8 based on the Mercedes CLK (W 208)
Development and world premiere of the BRABUS E V12 based on the Mercedes E-Class (W 211)
Development and world premiere of the smart BRABUS Roadster V6 Biturbo based on the smart roadster

2004 Founding of BRABUS Service GmbH
Development and world premiere of the BRABUS G V12 based on the Mercedes G-Class
Development and world premiere of the BRABUS product range for the Maybach

2005 BRABUS E V12 based on the Mercedes E-Class (W 211) sets a new world record for street-legal sedans with a speed of 350.2 km/h (217.6 mph).
Development and world premiere of the BRABUS ROCKET based on the Mercedes CLS-Class (C 219)
Development and world premiere of the BRABUS product range for the Mercedes SLR
Development and world premiere of the BRABUS Viano V8
Founding of BRABUS Yachting

2006 BRABUS ROCKET based on the Mercedes CLS-Class (C 219)
sets a new world record for street-legal sedans with a speed of 365.7 km/h (227.2 mph)
BRABUS is voted best tuning brand (BEST BRAND 2006) by the readers of German car magazine ‘auto motor und sport’ for the first time

2007 BRABUS celebrates its 30-year anniversary
World premiere of the EDAG LUV Pickup with BRABUS powertrain technology
Development and world premiere of the BRABUS BULLIT based on the Mercedes C-Class (W 204)
A Maybach 62 with BRABUS S V12 increased-displacement engine sets a new world record for street-legal luxury sedans with a speed of 330.6 km/h (205.4 mph)
Development, world and production of the limited edition BRABUS ULTIMATE 112 city sports car based on the smart fortwo

2008 Founding of the BRABUS ZERO EMISSION business division
Presentation of the BRABUS WIDESTAR concept for the Mercedes GLK-Class at the SEMA show in Las Vegas, USA

2009 BRABUS GLK V12 based on the Mercedes GLK-Class sets a new world record for street-legal SUVs with a speed of 322.3 km/h (200.3 mph).
BRABUS is voted best brand (BEST BRAND 2009) by the readers of German car magazine ‘auto motor und sport’ in the categories ‘Engine Tuning’ and ‘Visual Tuning’

2010 Development and world premiere of the BRABUS “iBusiness” multimedia systems featuring Apple components
BRABUS is voted best tuning brand (BEST BRAND 2006) by the readers of German car magazine ‘auto motor und sport’ for the fifth time in a row (BEST BRAND 2010)

2011 Opening of the Arab branch BRABUS Middle East in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Development and world premiere of the BRABUS ROCKET 800 based on the second generation of the Mercedes CLS-Class (C 218). Top speed: >370 km/h (230 mph)
Based on the Mercedes E-Class, BRABUS ZERO EMISSION presents two concept cars with hybrid and electric powertrains at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show IAA

2012 Development and world premiere of the BRABUS BULLIT Coupe 800 based on the Mercedes C-Class Coupe (C 204). Top speed: >370 km/h (230 mph)
“GERMANY AT ITS BEST AWARD” for BRABUS

2013 Construction and occupation of BRABUS Plant 3 in Bottrop
Opening of the BRABUS Flagship Store on Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Dubai Police adds BRABUS 700 based on the Mercedes G 63 to its fleet
Development and world premiere of the BRABUS 700 6×6

2014 Construction and occupation of BRABUS Plants 4 and 5 in Bottrop
Opening of the BRABUS Flagship Store in Beijing, China
Opening of the BRABUS Flagship Store in London, UK
Constantin Buschmann is named BRABUS Director of Sales and Marketing

2016 BRABUS is voted best tuning brand (BEST BRAND 2006) by the readers of German car magazine ‘auto motor und sport’ for the tenth time in a row (BEST BRAND 2016)
Development and world premiere of the BRABUS 900 based on the Mercedes-Maybach S 600

2017 BRABUS celebrates its 40-year anniversary
Development and world premiere of the BRABUS 550 ADVENTURE based on the Mercedes G 500 4×4²
BRABUS Classic receives the “Best of Show” award at the TECHNO CLASSICA 2017 for a Mercedes 600 Pullman rebuilt from the ground up

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