Bodch Buschmann's memories: the most interesting Brabus models

A few days ago a sad news reached us - at the age of 62, Bodo Buschmann, founder and president of Brabus, died. His motto was "never work for money, just for passion." Thanks to him, many legendary models were created. We remind them.

It would seem that every driver should be satisfied with the performance that the strongest Mercedes - especially those with the AMG stamp - ensure. But for some, even 600 horses are not enough. That is why there is a Brabus company. This tuner deals with modifications of cars with a star on the bonnet and can generate amazing results from them. Picky customers can go to the local company's representative and ask for "tweaking" their car. Brabus also sells "ready", modified models, as well as accessories, rims, or stylistic packages. Although the company's activity focuses primarily on mechanical and not visual modifications.

Brabus's story began in 1977.
Young Bodo's father was driving a Mercedes showroom in Bottrop, Germany. One day, the son came to the company in a brand new Porsche and confessed that he was employed by the competition. Mr. Buschmann got mad. The son explained that he did it because the then Mercedes did not meet his expectations in terms of style and performance. Father encouraged his son to start his own business and gave him a place in his family workshop.

The name of the new company came from the first letters of the name of Bodo Buschmann and his partner, a friend from college, Klaus Brackmann. In those days, German law required enterprises to be set up by at least two partners. Brackmann, however, was not particularly interested in cars and quickly sold his shares to Buschmann for 100 brands.

The first designs were based on the S W116 class. The car below is S W126:
Brabus-S-Klasse

Customers quickly appreciated the new company. Already in the two years after the start of operations, the first customer from the United Arab Emirates knocked at the gates of the plant, which then quickly grew rich. Bodo also installed V8 units for "baby Benza" 190 and modified W124. But the most important model that allowed the company to come to a good place and break into the broader consciousness is an absolutely crazy variation on the subject of class E W210.

Brabus E V12.
Brabus-eyepiece

This model debuted in 1996. It would be crazy to mount the V12 unit from the S or SL class in the good, familiar to us on the Autoblog. But Bodo Buschmann stated that such a motor still needs to be rebuilt to 7.3 liters and strengthened to 582 hp. Recall that it was over 20 years ago, when such powers were reserved for the most expensive supercars.

The maximum speed was limited electronically To 330 km / h. Thanks to this, the E V12 until 2003 was the fastest sedan in the world. He was even honored with an entry in the Guinness Book of Records. A combi version was also built.

Michael Schumacher bought a sedan and a wagon for one piece.

Brabus also modified less sport models.
Viano-Brabus

It might seem that modifications of the supplier are pointless. But for Brabus, nothing is impossible. Their variation on the Viano theme was under the bonnet of a 426 hp V8 engine, which allowed reaching 100 km / h in less than 6 seconds. Such a car, despite the aerodynamics of the cabinet, could also run 250 km / h and irritate the owners of strong Audi or BMW. In the middle - a real salon finished with leather. There was a fridge and a few 40-inch screens.

The smallest sport was Smart.
Smart-Brabus

Creating a sports car based on Smart sounds like a great idea. Some even assemble motors from motorcycles. Unfortunately, Brabus did not go so far. Their variation on the first Smart was only slightly grazed. Instead of serial 61 hp, Smart Brabus reached 75 hp from the 0.7 engine. This allowed it to accelerate to 100 km / h in 12.3 seconds. Only such a Smart can reach the maximum prescribed speed on the Polish motorway - it accelerates to 150 km / h, and the remaining varieties reach up to 135.

The most powerful Smart is the Brabus Ultimate 120 based on the second generation of the model. It reached 100 km / h in about 9 seconds.

Smart Brabus, however, is interesting not because it is fast, and because it is the cheapest way to ride something that carries the same inscription as the legendary E V12. Works and now - the current Smart also comes in a stronger version. Although the "court" Mercedes tuner is not Brabus, and AMG, such a Smart can be bought in the official showrooms of the brand.

For a change, Brabus Maybach was very strong. And a bit bigger than Smart.
Brabus-Maybach

Maybach was created as a car that you do not drive, but you are transported. But if someone wanted to give pleasure to their chauffeur or liked sometimes to give him free, he could call Mr. Bodo and his employees. Maybach Brabus initially developed 640 hp, but later it was reinforced to 730 hp. This was of course obtained from the V12 engine, this time reamed to 6.3 liters. Maximum speed? 330 km / h. In full silence and comfort, despite the modified exhaust system and a slightly lowered suspension.

The W204 Bullit sedan developed the same power.
Brabus-Bullit

That is 730 hp, but it was much lighter and smaller. It was created for those who, yawning at the C 63 AMG model, yawned and said that "it's just barely going". The torque of this car was electronically limited to 1100 Nm. If it were not for blocking, it would develop 1,340 Nm. Price: at least 348 thousand euros. The maximum speed exceeded 360 km / h, and the Bullit Coupé 800, which was created in 2012, was even faster. It reached over 370 km / h.

Brabus did not let even G-class. The V12 S had 700 horsepower.
Brabus-G-Klasse

From zero to hundreds? 4.3 seconds. Top speed: 240 km / h. If not for an electronic restriction, such a car would be still 20 km / h faster. It's all in an angular body with roots still in the 70s. Of course, the modifications made the G class lose its field skills. Where's the point here? Anywhere. So what?

The company's offer included - and still is - a lot of other, completely crazy cars. Sprinter or SLR were modified. Brabus also collaborated with, among others from Bugatti, he also launched his own renovation program for vintage cars. If someone wants to tweak their yacht or jet, they can still boldly report to Bottrop. Brabus's limits are only the fantasy and richness of the client's portfolio.

After Bodo Buschmann's death, his son takes over the company. May he continue his dad's work with dignity. And may it not lack the same hint of madness that Mr. Bodo had.