Brabus Bullit and Smart Ultimate 112

Let me guess…stupid amounts of power? Absolutely. In 2006 the Bottrop-based manufacturer unveiled the Rocket. Based on a Mercedes CLS, it featured the twin-turbo V12 from the S600 but bored out to 6.3 litres. Now Brabus has dropped the same engine into the new C-class to create the Bullit.

As well as the stretch in engine capacity, the V12 has new conrods, pistons and camshafts. The headline figures are 720bhp and 974lb ft. If only the gearbox could take so much torque: despite being massively modified the gearbox can only handle 811lb ft, so the engine's limited to that figure.

• So it’s quick then?

Oh yes. Sixty comes up in 3.9 seconds, and once into its stride it really goes. It takes 10.49 seconds to go from 0 to 124mph, and it can also reach 186mph in 24.5 seconds. It's a proper old school, Germanic performance saloon, then.

To make sure it stays on the ground, and that that air-hungry engine can be fed, the C-class has had a few tweaks. The front of the Bullit is made up of four gaping grilles, and at the back there’s a spoiler and diffuser. The whole body kit manages to widen the car by 6cm.
Add in adjustable suspension and 12 piston front brakes, and the Bullit will be yours for £238,500. You read that right - this is a C-class for well over the price of a Ferrari 599!

• Doesn’t Brabus also tune Smarts?

It certainly does, and as well as the official Smart Fortwo Brabus, a limited edition Smart was on display at Frankfurt.
Called the Ultimate 112, because of its PS rating (110bhp), just 112 will be built. Yours for £33,922. The less said about it the better.