On the autobahn, the car's name says it all. It's like being fired out of a gun. Acceleration in the mid-range would have even a Porsche Carrera GT or Ferrari Enzo gasping for breath. The twin-turbo 6.3-liter motor provides so much grunt that the Bullit already seems to be hitting a stride while its turbos are still inhaling just off idle. When full boost chimes in at around 1500 rpm, they provide so much low-down thrust it's amazing that the big, sticky Yokohamas can contain things, even on a bone-dry road. And thanks to the perfectly matched ratios of the beefed-up five-speed auto, the Bullit's blinding speed-gathering abilities are repeatable again and again.
At 414,120 Euros (including taxes), the Bullit is 10 times the price of a C350 in Germany. When paying Bullit money, you're entitled to a plush interior. Fortunately, fine leather and Alcantara trim is a Brabus speciality. For the incredibly comfortable front seats, Brabus takes a Recaro base and builds on it. The result is a slim sports seat with an adjustable backrest that saves weight over the standard item, but provides much better support.
The Bullit moves down the road like no other C-Class. The V12 motor in the nose and its higher-than-normal curb weight provide a big-car gravitas and poise that belies its modest exterior dimensions. Despite its huge footprint and sports suspension, the supple ride quality is hardly worse than that of the C350 Sport and noticeably more comfortable than the super-handling but firm-riding C63 AMG. And it hits 187.5 mph 8.5 seconds faster than a new Porsche GT2.
2008 Brabus Bullit
*LayoutLongitudinal front engine, rear-wheel drive
*Engine
6.3-liter V12, dohc, 48-valve, turbocharged and intercooled
*Transmission
Five-speed automatic
*Suspension
Bilstein PSS10 coilovers
*Brakes
Brabus/Alcon assemblies
*Wheels And Tires
Brabus Monoblock S wheels, 9.5x19 (f), 10x19 (r)Yokohama Advan Sport, 265/30 (f), 285/30 (r)
*Performance
Peak Power: 730 hp @ 5100 rpmPeak Torque: 812 lb-ft @ 2100 rpm0-62 mph: 3.9 sec.Top Speed: 224 mph (est.)
"The Bullit catapults itself down the road in a straight line (more or less) with the kind of constant thrust in the back previously thought impossible in a road-legal sedan."
"On the autobahn, the car's name says it all. It's like being fired out of a gun. Acceleration in the mid-range would have even a Porsche Carrera GT or Enzo Ferrari gasping for breath."