The new Brabus Twin-Turbo V12 Coupe features an extended hood and a lengthy rear.
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The Brabus Bodo coupe was officially unveiled on Friday, and it’s just as impressive as the leaked images on Reddit suggested. Its hood and rear deck appear to have been sculpted by a taffy puller, making the Bodo as close to a production version of the Maybach Exelero as we are likely to see.
With the complete reveal comes the full narrative. The Bodo is named after Brabus’ late founder Bodo Buschmann, and it’s the creation of his son Constantin, who now leads the company. According to Constantin in a press release, it is the one car his father always wanted to create but never had the opportunity, so it is being produced now in anticipation of Brabus’ 50th anniversary next year. Production will be limited to 77 units, reflecting the company’s founding year of 1977.
The senior Buschmann evidently had a penchant for exaggerated proportions. At 16.6 feet long and 6.6 feet wide, the Bodo nearly matches the footprint of a Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class. However, it has a height of only 4.2 feet, with its extended hood and teardrop tail enhancing the passenger compartment. In classic Brabus black, featuring its aggressive vertical-bar grille and glaring headlights, it resembles a vehicle that a supervillain would drive.
Its performance is equally formidable. The Bodo is equipped with a Brabus-engineered, twin-turbocharged, 5.2-liter V12 that produces 1,000 horsepower and 885 pound-feet of torque. This power is directed to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission, propelling the 3,911-pound Bodo to 62 mph from a standstill in 3.0 seconds, according to Brabus. The top speed is electronically limited to 223 mph, likely due to the Continental SportContact 7 Force tires specially made for this car, which are only rated for speeds up to 230 mph.
These tires—sized 275/35 ZR 21 at the front and 325/30 ZR 21 at the rear—are fitted to forged monoblock wheels chosen for their lightweight properties. Additionally, carbon-fiber bodywork helps maintain a low weight, covering an aluminum monocoque chassis. Although the official release doesn’t state it explicitly, the leaked images suggest that the Bodo chassis is derived from a Mercedes-AMG SL. The interior prominently features a Mercedes design, although Brabus provides its own black leather upholstery.
If you can overlook the extended hood, the claimed weight distribution of 50.2% front and 49.8% rear is expected to improve handling. Stopping power comes from carbon-ceramic brakes with 16.1-inch front and 14.1-inch rear rotors, while the suspension features electronically controlled KW coilovers with various driver-selectable settings. Four drive modes—Wet, GT, Sport, and Sport+—alter the engine’s responsiveness as well.
All these features make the Bodo a worthy homage. The only lingering question is, which has the better long-hood look: this car or Mercedes’ own Vision Iconic concept?
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The new Brabus Twin-Turbo V12 Coupe features an extended hood and a lengthy rear.
This limited-edition coupe, named after the company's founder, is as lengthy as certain three-row SUVs.