Brabus, the slightly unhinged German tuner famed for animalising road-legal off-roaders, unleashed this behemoth at the IAA in Frankfurt. Just to remind us why big horsepower and six-wheel drive is always a good idea.

The mildly terrifying Brabus B63S – 700 is a Mercedes 6×6 G-Wagen, but pimped. Powered by a 5.5-litre V8 Biturbo producing 690 bhp, the six-wheel drive mutant fires from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 7.4 seconds. Top speed has even had to be electronically constrained to 160 km/h, because how else would you keep those gigantic 37-inch tyres under control.

The Brabus engine delivers a much heftier torque than the Mercedes: between 2,000 rpm and 4,500 rpm, sending a massive 960 Nm of torque to the seven-speed automatic gearbox. Two unique Brabus turbochargers with large compressor units produce a higher boost pressure and power yield. Thus well-endowed, the Brabus turns in an acceleration performance that measures up to full-blooded sports cars: 7.4 seconds for 0 – 100 km/h is impressive for a vehicle weighing in at just less than four tons.

Brabus’ stainless-steel exhaust system with its controlled butterfly valve was custom-developed for the G 63 6×6 AMG, so it offers optimised power yield and fantastic control of the exhaust note. At the merest push of a button, drivers can select between the subtle “Coming Home” mode and the “Sport” position, that packs even more punch and has what can only be described as a potent exhaust note.

Brabus has given the 6×6 a strategic visual upgrade too of course. Even more impressive is when you open the door and clock the fiery red Mastik leather and Alcantara interior of the cockpit, created with pinpoint-precision topstitching. And the dual side pipe exhaust system at the back is what only the scariest dreams are made of. Yours for £400k.

www.brabus.com.