Brabus->ke368 is known in the industry for its ability to turn standard Mercedes->ke187 models into rockets on four wheels. The German tuner has a long list of modifications that fit this bill. Now, it’s adding another one to that list in the form of the S65 AMG Rocket 900 Desert Gold Edition.

Launched at the 2015 Dubai Motor Show,->ke4025 the ultra exclusive Rocket 900 Desert Gold Edition packs the kind of power that’s fit for royalty. It’s got a comprehensive list of refinements that’s right in line with what we’ve come to expect from Brabus. From aerodynamic kits to engine modifications, the Desert Gold Edition has it all, so much so that it’s easy to forget that the aftermarket shop even went a little out of its wheelhouse to develop a special Desert Gold paint finish exclusively for this particular model. We see what you did there, Brabus.

About the only thing missing from this car is availability. Sadly, Brabus is expected to offer the Rocket 900 Desert Gold Edition in extremely limited quantities. Since it made its debut in Dubai, there’s a good chance that its got dibs on all the available units. Seems appropriate considering that Brabus has a newly minted showroom in the country. The Rocket 900 Desert Gold Edition would make for an incredible showpiece model.

Continue reading to learn more about the Mercedes S65 AMG "Rocket 900 Desert Gold Edition" By Brabus.

Exterior

Brabus’ exterior modifications on the S65 AMG is about as extensive as it’s going to get. The defining feature of the car is its Desert Gold paint finish that Brabus developed specifically for this program. The visual enhancement provided by the unique paint color is complemented by a number of carbon fiber components that have been installed throughout the body of the sedan. There’s a new wind tunnel-optimized front spoiler lip that helps reduce lift on the front axle. The sedan’s front fenders also gets a nice visual upgrade courtesy of a unique design element made from naked carbon. The exterior mirrors have also been dressed up in carbon covers.

At the back, the aerodynamic enhancements continue with a new rear spoiler lip and diffuser, both made from naked carbon. The diffuser, in particular, was with cutouts to complement the new sports exhausts system, the tips of which are painted in glossy black. Rounding out the exterior upgrades is a new set of 21-inch Monoblock F “Platinum Edition” wheels that can be wrapped in 255/35 ZR 21 or 295/30 ZR 21 tires from any of Brabus’ tire partners: Continental, Pirelli, or Yokohama.

Interior

As fancy as the exterior upgrades are, the interior refinements are just as flamboyant. The same Desert Gold finish can also be found in the interior, covering around 300 parts in the cabin, including all the switches and bezels. These finely appointed details are a nice contrast to the black and gold Mastik leather that’s fitted into the entire cabin. Gold-colored seams and piping add the accent touch to the entire two-tone color scheme, echoing the exterior’s elegant Louis Vuitton-ish visuals. As a finishing touch, Brabus also embroidered “900” logos on the head rests and dressed up the headliner with a nice and rich, deep black Alcantara.

Drivetrain

As fancy as the S65 AMG Desert Gold Edition looks, the real highlight of the program is the engine upgrade Brabus gave to the sedan’s massive V-12 engine. For starters, a custom billet crankshaft that allows a longer stroke was put in place to work in concert with bored out cylinders to push the engine’s capacity from 6.0 liters to 6.3 liters. Brabus also installed matched forged pistons and custom billet connecting rods to achieve the increase in displacement. The sedan’s turbochargers have also been enlarged, complete with larger compressors and turbines. Even the air intake has a new duct and a new filter with reflective gold sheathing to keep the air temperature at bay.

The result of this extensive engine modification is a V-12 powerhouse that produces an incredible 888 horsepower at just 5,500 rpm and 884 pound-feet of torque at an incredible 4,200 rpm. It’s worth noting that the actual peak torque of the program is 1,106 pound-feet, but for the purposes of keeping the engine from going bonkers, Brabus opted to cut it down to the indicated number.

All that power can be sent to the rear wheels courtesy of AMG’s tried-and-tested seven-speed automatic transmission, which works hand-in-hand with a limited-slip differential that boasts a locking rate of 40 percent. The result is a car that does its “Rocket” moniker proud. In full blast, the S65 AMG Desert Gold can sprint from 0 to 62 mph in just 3.7 seconds and 0 to 124 mph in 9.1 seconds, to go with a top speed of 217 mph.

Safety

Brabus fitted the S65 AMG with its own AROMATIC SPORT Unit, a special control module that’s been developed specifically to lower the car’s ride height by .6 inches, thus improving its handling without taking away from its ride quality.

Prices

Brabus has not revealed pricing for the Rocket 900 Desert Gold Edition but considering that it’s making its debut at the Dubai International Motor Show, something tells me that the car will be tagged as an exclusive and limited to a number of models, all of which will be earmarked for that high-end market. As far as a guesstimate on the price is concerned, I anticipate it will carry a price tag north of $250,000, the S65 AMG included.

Competition

Bentley Flying Spur

The Mercedes S65 AMG belongs in a segment that isn’t littered with a lot of competition. Only a handful of other automakers have cars that can compete against the S65. Fortunately, Bentley is one of them because it has the Continental Flying Spur.

To be fair to Bentley, the Flying Spur has always been its banner model in the high-performance, luxury sedan market. It has its own 6.0-liter W-12 engine that produces 616 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. That amount of power helps the sedan shoot from 0 to 60 mph in a shade over four seconds and hit a top speed in excess of 200 mph. It also has the kind of luxury appointments that can go toe-to-toe with anything Mercedes has for the S65 AMG.

Given all that, the issue with the Flying Spur is that unlike the S65 AMG, this model is ripe for an update and the Flying Spur V-8 doesn’t count. It’s been close to three years since the last version of the Flying Spur was released in the market. That might not be a lot of time for some people, but it’s tantamount to eternity in the auto industry.

So, as the S65 AMG continues to evolve and aftermarket companies continue to give it the love and shine it deserves, it’s important to remember what’s at stake here for Bentley. Every year that passes without a new flying Spur being introduced in the market is another year for the S65 AMG to tout itself as the standard-bearer of its segment.

Read our full review on the Bentley Flying Spur here.

Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II

The S65 AMG may have all the tools to be considered a serious competitor in the segment, but any talk of high-performance, luxury sedans usually starts with the Rolls-Royce Ghost. Now in its second generation, the aptly named Ghost Series II is one of those sedans that doesn’t seem to mind that it’s drowning in luxury. Unlike the Flying Spur, the Ghost Series II boasts plenty of new luxury features while also keeping some elements that have been carried over from the previous generation.

The sedan’s 6.6-liter, twin-turbo V-12 engine is one of the things that has stayed with the Ghost Series II. This engine is capable of producing 562 horsepower and 575 pound-feet of torque, good enough to allow the Ghost to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph, but that shouldn’t mean much in the grand scheme of things for the Rolls.

See, the Ghost is powerful. It’s also pretty fast in its own right. But it’s the luxury that’s attached to the Rolls-Royce name that really sets it apart from every other car in its segment. The prestige of owning a Rolls often drowns out any perceived shortcomings it may have compared to a model like the Mercedes S65 AMG.

Read our full review on the Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II here.

Conclusion

The Mercedes S65 AMG Desert Gold Edition is the kind of creation that really sets Brabus apart from other Mercedes-centric tuners in the market. The amount of modifications and the attention-to-detail behind these mods are on a level all of its own. There’s a reason why Brabus is considered as one of the best in the business and this exclusive S65 AMG is yet another proof of that. The only problem I have with the model itself is its availability.

I understand the rationale of limiting its number and earmarking all of the units in a specific market, but couldn’t Brabus at least thrown some here in the US? Other than that slight hang up, I don’t have anything to say about the S65 AMG Desert Gold other than ‘wow’.