Were you put off by Brabus’s decision to give the current-generation Mercedes-AMG SL a roof? If so, the tuner just showed off a new model that may be more to your liking.
The German shop just unveiled the Rocket GTC, which is the roadster counterpart to the Rocket GTS shooting brake. The new build may lack a roof, but it still packs close to 1,000 horses under the hood.
More from Robb Report
Last fall, Brabus unveiled its latest outrageous take on Mercedes’s iconic grand tourer. The Rocket GTB came with the usual host of performance upgrades and over-the-top add-ons, but what really separated it from the AMG SL 63 S E Performance was that it featured a roof that extended all the way to the rear of the vehicle.
The Rocket GTC is aimed a Brabus fan that’s looking for something a little closer to the traditional SL experience. The cabriolet, hence the “C” in its name, wears a sculpted, carbon-fiber body kit that accentuates all the base vehicle’s existing aero elements—in particular, its rear ducktail spoiler. Initially, the model will be available exclusively in a dazzling coat of Deep Red with carbon-fiber accents. It rides on a staggered set of color-matching five-spoke monoblock “Platinum Edition” wheels with a center-lock design. The rims measure 21 inches in the front and 22 inches in the back.
Inside, the vehicle looks bolder than ever. Nearly every single surface of the two-seat cabin is covered in red leather, with the seats featuring the shop’s trademark scalloped pattern. There is also Brabus branding nearly everywhere you look, from the steering wheel to the seatbacks.
The Rocket GTC will turn heads, of course, but its most attractive piece is hidden beneath its hood. There you’ll find an even more powerful version of AMG SL’s hybrid-assisted V-8. The mill’s displacement has been boosted from 4.0 liters to 4.5 liters, thanks to which the electrified setup is capable of churning out 973 hp and 1,342 ft lbs of torque (the latter figure is electronically limited to 1,195 ft lbs of torque for mechanical reasons). With all that might under the hood, Brabus’s latest creation is capable of shooting from zero to 60 mph in just 2.6 seconds and hitting a top speed of 197 mph.
If you’re interested, Brabus is taking orders for the Rocket GTC now. You’ll have to ask for the price, but rest assured it’s well north of the range-topping SMG SL’s $208,300 starting price.
Click here for more photos of the Brabus Rocket GTC.
Best of Robb Report
Sign up for RobbReports's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Comments