What is it?
The world's fastest road-legal four-door saloon according to Brabus. The Rocket 800 is based on a Mercedes-Benz CLS and is capable of 'in excess of' 230mph depending on the gearing you opt for - though we noticed that it's limited to 217mph for road use. How socially responsible... As you might have guessed, the 800 part of the name refers to the power output - in this case 800PS, or 788bhp in old money. That's backed up by 811lb.ft of torque (this engine can produce an astounding 1,047lb.ft) to erm, rocket the car off the line. Despite a two-tonne kerb weight it'll hit 62mph in a scant 3.7 seconds. Keep the throttle pinned (on the autobahn or your private runway of course) and you'll see 186mph in just 23.8 seconds.
Why's it here?
The Rocket continues a tradition of loony fast saloons within Brabus that began in 1996 with the 205mph E V12. It's not the only car on the Brabus stand to be powered by the company's latest iteration of the Mercedes-Benz V12 either. To hit the headline power figure the capacity was increased from 5.5- to 6.3-litres, which necessitated the fitting of a wealth of new components. As you'd hope, Brabus also overhauled the chassis and brake system to cope with the high speeds. And those body add-ons are designed to push the car down on the road as much as they are to let other drivers know they should probably move aside.
Show stopper or floor filler?
Given the performance figures and menacing look of the Rocket it has to be classed as a show stopper. Saying that, the Brabus stand is full to capacity of equally tantalising treats so it could go unnoticed. That won't be the case when it hits the road...
Frankfurt Motor Show
Shane O' Donoghue - 19 Sep 2011