The Brabus Rocket is back and for the 2012 model year, as the German aftermarket specialists revealed it today, at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show. The 2012 Brabus Rocket is based on the latest generation, 2011 Mercedes CLS. For those of you who don't know what the Brabus Rocket is, we have to tell you that for many years it has been the fastest street legal sedan in the world. The 2012 Brabus Rocket is powered by the tuner's 800 6.3-liter V12 biturbo engine, which is good for 800 hp (788 bhp) / 588 kW at 5,500 rpm and 1,420 Nm (1,047 lb-ft) of torque at 2,100 rpm. Brabus has to limit the torque output of the 2012 Rocket 800 CLS at 1,100 Nm (811 lb-ft) for various technical reasons (the tires burst during start).
In terms of performance, the 2012 Brabus Rocket
is able to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 3.7 seconds, from 0 to 200 km/h (124 mph) in 9.8 seconds and from 0 to 300 km/h (186 mph) in 23.8 seconds. Brabus says that the top speed of the 2012 Rocket CLS is 370 km/h / 230 mph. However, they limit it to a maximum of 350 km/h / 217 mph because of the tires. In case you're wondering about the super sedan's fuel economy, the official specs released by Brabus say it has a 23.8 l / 100 km (9.9 mpg) fuel consumption in the city, 11.1 l / 100 km (21.2 mpg) on the highway, and 15.7 l / 100 km (15 mpg) on the combined cycle.
The 2012 Brabus Rocket price starts at 429,000 EUR, so it's quite an expensive toy.
Brabus's 2012 Rocket keeps the overall dimensions of the 2011 Mercedes CLS. It measures 4.996 mm (196.7 in.) in length, 1.881 mm (74.1 in.) in width, 1.371 mm (54.0 in.) in height and weighs 1.980 kg (4,365 lbs.).
The extra power of the 2012 Brabus Rocket comes from a larger displacement engine, forged pistons, optimized intake and outlet ports, sports camshafts, a carbon-fiber ram-air intake system, two special exhaust manifolds with integrated high-performance turbos, four water-to-air intercoolers and a stainless-steel high-performance exhaust system. Of course, all the engine electronics have to be modified. Brabus are especially proud of the fact that they managed to build the 2012 Rocket CLS to be compliant with the Euro V emissions standards. The sedan's engine is mated to a seven-speed quick-shift transmission, which sends the power the rear wheels via a BRABUS limited-slip differential.
The 2012 Brabus Rocket comes with a new aerodynamics package, made from carbon fiber, which has been developed in the wind tunnel. It includes a new front spoiler with air vents for cooling the engine compartment, side skirts with integrated LED lights, 40 m wider rear fenders, a rear wing and a rear diffuser.
For better handling, the Brabus Rocket 2012 sits on a BILSTEIN height-adjustable coilover suspension, 380 x 37 millimeters (15.0 x 1.45 in.) vented and grooved steel brake discs and 12-piston calipers on the front axle, 360 x 28 millimeters (14.2 x 1.1 in.) brake discs and six-piston calipers and the rear one, and 19-inch alloys.
At the interior, the Brabus 2012 Rocket comes with sport steering wheel with aluminum shift paddles, aluminum pedals and footrest, and a special speedometer which goes up to 400 km/h (250 mph). The new Rocket also comes with a leather and Alcantara interior, various logos, and other carbon fiber and aluminum styling parts.
