Brabus, once dedicated only to the finest models of the Mercedes brand, has gradually opened up to other manufacturers in recent years. The entry into the British luxury world of Range Rover is particularly interesting, because Brabus makes the most image-rich off-roader in the world much more exquisite. Even from the outside, the Range Rover no longer looks like the cool production model, because the sills, aprons and wheelset are anything but reserved, even in the dark black called Santorini Black. Not at all intrusive, but anyone who sees this Range Rover in traffic will quickly notice that it has more to offer than an off-the-shelf vehicle. At second glance, the insignia of power have been completely replaced. Instead of the Range Rover logo on the hood, Brabus is emblazoned here and the small Land Rover logo in the honeycomb grill has also been replaced, somewhat redundantly, by a Brabus badge. Something similar at the rear, although the roof edge spoiler and four-pipe exhaust system make the most impression here.
But the interior appears completely different after the four doors or even the two-part tailgate have been opened. Because here an orgy of leather and seams is revealed that takes even the always exclusive Range interior to a completely new level. Okay, the light green color (pale green) is more than a matter of taste, but the interior is equipped with animal skins in a free choice of color according to the customer’s wishes and so everything from black to white, orange, yellow or sky blue is included. The quality, grip and workmanship of the seats and panels are spectacular, with the long version offering the occupants a mobile oasis of well-being, especially in the rear, that is difficult to top. But whoever sits in the rear enjoys the impressive amount of space on the air-conditioned seats with electrical adjustment and impressive travel comfort, but only marginally feels the drive unit.
Because the driver of the new Range Rover is celebrating the drive cooperation with BMW and thus a double-charged Bavarian eight-cylinder petrol engine, which is currently the benchmark when it comes to combustion engine propulsion. Only a V12 engine would be even more impressive, but BMW has banned that from its drive portfolio and so eight combustion chambers with a volume of 4.4 liters have to be enough to move the Brit in a species-appropriate manner. The Brabus treatment brings out a slight increase in performance from the 530 hp V8 engine to 442 kW / 600 hp and an impressive 800 Nm of maximum torque, which fuel the all-wheel drive colossus, which weighs more than 2.5 tons, a little more impressively than usual. However, the increase in performance is only really noticeable if you know it, because even a production model does not hold back on the gas and the performance of the standard version also gives no reason to complain. If desired, you can travel at 250 km/h in the left lane of the motorway. The standard consumption: a largely uninteresting 12 liters per 100 kilometers.
So it’s more the powerful appearance and the luxury package inside and the 24-inch wheelset with its 295/35 ZR 24 tires that have a significant influence on the variable air suspension suspension, because this means that the Edelbrite drives a touch sportier and more direct than you it knows. The overall tighter tuning matches the sonorous sound of the flap exhaust system, which transforms the driver’s gas demands not only into impressive propulsion, but also into a stately concert. And if you want the appearance of a particularly exquisite Range Rover model with a body kit and 24-inch wheels, you will celebrate the acoustic melody every time you accelerate. So much exclusivity, so much handwork in the interior and so much dynamism come at a price that willing customers are only too happy to pay. After the very extensive Brabus treatment, the Range Rover 530 costs 462,000 euros, not only more than twice as much as the production model, but also the price of a stately condominium in a medium-sized German city. But can you make a comfortable bed in it – and drive wherever you want?
