2003 Brabus E V12 Concept Pictures, Specifications, Information

In October 1996 the BRABUS E V12 with an electronically limited top speed of 330 km/h entered the Guinness Book of World Records as the "world's fastest sedan." BRABUS now presents the BRABUS E V12 Concept Car based on the new Mercedes E-Class.

The concept car is powered by a 640 hp / 471 kW twelve-cylinder bi-turbo engine. With its top speed of 340 km/h the BRABUS E V12 Concept Car follows in the footsteps of its world- famous predecessor, which opened the door to a new level of power and performance for sporty sedans.

The BRABUS E V12 Concept Car offers a first preview of the production version of the BRABUS E V12, which will be built in small-series production starting in Summer 2003. No base price has been set as of yet but it is expected to be in the neighborhood of 300,000 Euros.

As the name indicates, a 12-cylinder bi-turbo engine powers the BRABUS E V12 Concept Car. The engine normally resides in the new Mercedes S 600 but was extensively modified by the BRABUS powerplant engineers. The engine delivers a maximum power output of 640 hp / 471 kW at 5,100 rpm and produces an enormous maximum torque of 1,026 Nm from 1,750 rpm.

Optimal lubrication is essential with this kind of power. That's why engine, custom five-speed automatic transmission and rear differential are all operated with high-performance lubricants from BRABUS technology partner ARAL. Performance figures for the BRABUS E V12 Concept Car are on a level normally reserved for the world's very fastest sports cars: 0 - 100 km/h in just 4.2 seconds, 12.9 seconds for 0 - 200 km/h and a top speed of 340 km/h are the most important figures of this exclusive high-performance sedan.

The enormous performance necessitates the use of special tires: BRABUS technology partner Michelin supplies the exclusive footwear for this car: The multi-piece BRABUS Monoblock VI light- alloy wheels in sizes 8.5Jx19 on the front axle and 9.5Jx19 in the rear are fitted with Michelin high- performance tires in size 255/35 ZR 19 in front combined with 285/30 ZR 19 tires on the rear axle. BRABUS also custom-developed a matching BRABUS sport suspension and stronger sway bars. In addition BRABUS equips the new E V12 with a custom high-performance brake system matched to the electro-hydraulic SBC brake system of the E-Class. It features 375-millimeter disks and 12-piston aluminum calipers on the front axle and 6-piston calipers and 355-millimeter disks in the rear.

Aerodynamics play an essential role at the extremely high speeds effortlessly attained by the 12- cylinder sedan: The BRABUS front bumper with integrated spoiler not only offers exciting looks, it also reduces lift at the front axle, thus improving directional stability at high speeds.

The BRABUS side skirts give the sedan a lower and sleeker appearance. They also offer another interesting feature: Pulling on the inside door handle or pushing the button on the keyless-entry remote activates entry lights located in the underside of the skirts. They illuminate the ground next to the E-Class, making exiting and entering the vehicle in the dark even safer.

The strikingly styled BRABUS rear apron rounds out the sporty yet elegant exterior design of the E V12 harmoniously.

The interior of the BRABUS E V12 Concept Car offers a very special ambiance. The four-door car is adorned with an exclusive BRABUS fully leather interior made from a combination of especially soft yet highly durable BRABUS Mastik leather and Alcantara. Inlays made from genuine carbon in the dashboard, center console and door panels create a sporty ambiance. The sedan further features a state-of-the-art BRABUS multimedia package with DVD player and LCD monitors integrated into the back of the front headrests.