BRABUS XL 800 transforms the 2025 AMG G 63 into an 800-hp portal-axle bruiser
Even in its factory tune, the 2025 Mercedes-AMG G 63 hardly begs for more of anything. BRABUS disagrees. The German tuner’s latest creation—the 2025 BRABUS XL 800—takes the freshly updated G-Class and pushes every dial into the red, trading day-to-day sensibility for outrageous numbers, unfiltered carbon fiber, and a ground clearance that would make a Wrangler 392 look humbled.
Engine and Performance
At the heart of the XL 800 sits a re-worked twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 that now cranks out 800 hp (588 kW) and 737 lb-ft of torque. BRABUS fits larger compressor wheels, beefier bearings, and reflashes the ECU to yield a 173-hp jump over the stock AMG’s 577 hp. Peak twist also leaps from 627 lb-ft to an even 1,000 Nm (737 lb-ft).
Despite lugging around portal axles and 22-inch wheels wrapped in chunky 325/55 R22 off-road rubber, BRABUS claims 0–62 mph in 4.6 seconds. That’s only four-tenths slower than the standard truck on pavement tires. Top speed is capped at 130 mph—more a tire choice than a power limitation. An active-valve exhaust keeps late-night arrivals relatively civil in “Coming Home” mode, then unleashes the full V8 thunder when switched to “Sport.”
Portal Axles, Suspension, and Rolling Stock
The XL’s headline piece of hardware is the set of BRABUS-engineered portal axles that raise ride height to 18.5 inches. Up front, the tuner replaces Mercedes’ live axle with an independent setup featuring a new subframe, billet-aluminum control arms, and re-worked suspension geometry. The rear retains a solid axle but adopts equally ornate CNC-milled links and a reinforced housing.
BRABUS pairs those axles with height-adjustable Ride Control coil-overs. Damping can still be toggled from the factory dashboard switchgear, and the titanium-coated struts help manage the considerable unsprung mass of the XL 800’s Monoblock Z/HD forged wheels. Those 9.5-inch-wide rims are designed for the portal axle’s extreme offset and the G’s hefty curb weight.
Appearance: Carbon Everywhere
Visually, the XL 800 doesn’t so much depart from the AMG G 63 as it detonates any remaining restraint. Wide carbon-fiber fenders swallow the 22s, while a matching carbon hood power bulge, roof-edge light bar, and brush guard–integrated winch (rated for 9,921 lbs) reinforce the truck’s “expedition meets night-club” vibe.
The rear fascia picks up a carbon insert with recessed lettering, and a roof spoiler finishes the silhouette. Electrically deploying running boards and BRABUS-specific “Easy Entry” hinges that swing the rear doors a full 90 degrees help occupants climb into the high-rise cabin.
MASTERPIECE Interior
Inside, BRABUS swaps the stock AMG leather for slate-gray hides stitched in a “Double Cube” pattern. Perforation under the quilting ties into the G’s seat ventilation. Exposed-carbon trim spans the dash, doors, and even the sun visors, while illuminated sill plates sync their color to the SUV’s ambient lighting. Aluminum pedals, carbon paddle shifters, and an overhead rear-seat display complete the cockpit’s theater.
The AMG G 63 Baseline
Compared with the 2025 AMG G 63 refresh, the BRABUS XL 800 reads like a different species:
- Power: 800 hp vs. AMG’s 577 hp
- Torque: 737 lb-ft vs. 627 lb-ft
- 0–60 mph: 4.6 sec vs. approximately 4.2 sec (on street tires)
- Ground clearance: 18.5 in. vs. roughly 9.5 in. for the standard G
- Top speed: 130 mph (limited) vs. 137 mph factory
The G 63’s new 48-volt mild-hybrid assist, active hydraulic roll-control suspension, and quieter cabin remain intact—but BRABUS layers on unlocked potential at the cost of added complexity and, inevitably, weight.
Price and Build Slots
BRABUS will craft each XL 800 to order. The example shown carries a sticker of €630,767 before taxes—about $690,000 at today’s exchange rate. As usual with the Bottrop outfit, that figure only starts the conversation; bespoke interior trims, additional exterior carbon, or even a wilder paint color can nudge the total far north of that number.
Big Numbers, Bigger Expectations
The 2025 BRABUS XL 800 is less a logical extension of the AMG G 63 and more a statement for buyers who see the standard truck as a blank canvas. Portal axles, carbon-fiber widebody panels, and an 800-hp tune deliver undeniable theater. Whether the six-figure price premium and added complexity make sense depends on your appetite for show-stopping presence and terrain-devouring capability in equal measure.
-Ed
2025 BRABUS XL 800
