The Brabus 850 Wagon Is The Most Practical Way To Haul At 217mph

Power-obsessed Mercedes tuning specialist Brabus is now offering its ballistic 850 tuning package for the E63 AMG estate. The E63 isn't exactly a slouch as it is, but in the 850 it's taken to another level with the 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8 enlarged to 6.0-litres. The E63's turbos are lobbed in the bin in favour of a custom-made pair, which along with the engine enlargement make a dramatic difference to performance.

The power jumps from 557bhp to an explosive 838bhp. The torque figures are probably the most impressive thing. While the standard E63 makes do with 590lb/ft, the 850 packs 1069lb/ft. In fact it's so much, Brabus has pegged it back to 848lb/ft to make the engine last a little longer.

The weapons-grade firepower under the bonnet is enough to blast the 850 to 60mph in 3.1 seconds, and with the right rubber on the wheels, on to a top speed of 217mph.

Changes to the outside are tastefully restrained. There's a carbonfibre front splitter and a meaty carbonfibre rear diffuser, and buyers will have a choice of alloy wheels to pick from. A price hasn't yet been revealed, but if the €295,000 (£244k) 850 E63 saloon is anything to go by, it'll be a rather pricey bit of kit.