BRABUS XL 800: THE CARBON-CLAD, PORTAL-AXLED APEX PREDATOR OF OFF-ROAD EXCESS
BRABUS is no stranger to extremes, but their latest machine kicks convention clean into the stratosphere - literally. Meet the BRABUS XL 800, a high-riding, high-powered off-road supercar based on the Mercedes-AMG G 63 that’s been reengineered into a carbon-fibre-clad colossus with a towering 47 cm of ground clearance and enough presence to outshine a tank in a fashion show. This isn’t just a lifted G-Wagon with attitude - this is an all-out engineering flex. Thanks to custom-developed portal axles and a BRABUS-specific chassis setup, the XL 800 turns rough terrain into a catwalk. The new independent front suspension and reinforced rear axle have been milled from billet aluminium with CNC precision, while the ride itself is handled by height-adjustable, cockpit-controllable BRABUS Ride Control coilovers - because why should comfort suffer while you're conquering boulders? Shoed in massive 22-inch BRABUS Monoblock Z/HD forged wheels wrapped in 325/55 R22 off-road rubber, the XL 800 stands wide and wild with BRABUS’ WIDESTAR exposed-carbon bodywork, exaggerated fenders, and a functional winch-integrated front fascia. There’s even a roof-mounted carbon wind deflector with integrated LED lighting to turn night into day on the trail - or at least, at the yacht club valet stand. Don’t let the brute force exterior fool you - this thing moves. A BRABUS-tuned 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 throws down an astonishing 588 kW and 1,000 Nm of torque, launching the 2.7-ton monster from 0-100 km/h in just 4.6 seconds. Top speed is limited to 210 km/h - not by lack of grunt, but to keep the off-road tyres in one piece.
Under the hood, you'll find custom high-performance turbos, boosted injection and ignition maps, and all the fine-tuning you'd expect from Bottrop’s finest. It’s loud too - if you want it to be. The BRABUS stainless steel sport exhaust with quad pipes and red-glow “Launch Ambience” lighting features active sound management. Toggle between a low-key "Coming Home" mode or the full-fat “Sport” soundtrack when you're feeling loud and proud. Inside, BRABUS didn’t hold back either. The MASTERPIECE interior is a full sensory overload in slate grey leather, stitched in an intricate “Double Cube” quilt pattern, perforated for ventilated comfort. Carbon fibre is everywhere - from the instrument panel to the sun visors - and there's even an overhead rear-passenger display to show speed, time, and date, just in case your guests forget they’re in something costing €630,767 (before VAT, of course). Power-retractable side steps, 90-degree opening rear doors, scuff plates with RGB BRABUS logos, aluminium accents - it’s all here, and it’s all excessive in the best way possible. Here in good old South Africa, the Mercedes-AMG G63 is a well-known choice for those who secure government money and spend it on themselves instead of the things the money was granted for, and these chaps have to shell out in the region of a cool R4,500,000-00, or the equivalent of about 17 RDP houses that the money was likely intended for. This monstrosity from the House of BRABUS is a little bit more pricey, coming in at R12,815,000 at today’s horrid exchange rate (12 May 2025), or at least 50 RDP houses. You know, just for a little local perspective on the cost that’s as big and bold as the BRABUS XL 800.
Take a look at the YouTube video that shows off what happens when you take an already ridiculously powerful 4x4 that doesn't really make any sense and you give it a BRABUS upgrade that takes the total price to a mere R12,814,247.88: BRABUS XL 800. EXPLORE LIFE. ON HIGHER GROUND. | BRABUS
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