If a Mercedes-AMG G63 and a Polaris RZR had a baby, it’d probably look something like this.
Well-known Mercedes-Benz tuner Brabus has revealed a very limited production off-road dune racer called the Crawler that channels the looks of a hotted-up G-Wagen.
Limited to 15 units worldwide, the Brabus Crawler has been specially designed for off-road action and isn’t certified for public road use.
Under the bonnet is a 4.5-litre twin-turbo V8 engine producing a mind-blowing 662kW of power and 1250Nm of torque. It’s electronically limited to 1050Nm though.
Compared to the regular AMG G63, the Brabus Crawler produces 232kW more power and 400Nm more torque.
This engine is also used in the high-performance Brabus 900 Rocket Edition, which is a tuned version of the Mercedes-AMG G63.
The fettled V8 engine is mated with a nine-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, and drive is sent through a permanent all-wheel drive system with electronically controlled differential locks.
Brabus claims the Crawler can do the 0-100km/h sprint in 3.4 seconds but top speed is electronically limited to 160km/h due to the off-road tyres.
The Crawler is built on a bespoke, high-strength steel tube frame with an open, four-seater body made of exposed carbon fibre.
It measures in at 4624mm long, 2337mm tall and 2105mm wide, which is 249mm shorter, 371mm taller, and 92mm wider than the regular AMG G63.
There are no windows or doors on the desert racer, but there are matte black side-exit exhaust tips, a carbon-fibre roof and a Brabus rear wing.
There are also a few design features, like the boxy bodykit, that show the Crawler is trying its best to masquerade as a G-Wagen.
Off-road highlights include front and rear portal axles, damping- and height-adjustable shock absorbers, and 20-inch Brabus Monoblock HD forged alloy wheels wrapped in 40-inch Maxxis Razr MT tyres.
Ground clearance is also 530mm, which is 197mm more than the Ford Bronco Raptor, 247mm more than the Mercedes-Benz G400 and 240mm more than the Land Rover Defender offers in its most aggressive off-road mode.
Inside the Brabus Crawler are four full-carbon Recaro racing seats with quilted red Silvertex upholstery and an embroided Brabus logo. There’s also a leather and alcantara-wrapped steering wheel with a Brabus logo, a carbon dashboard and matte red interior trim highlights.
On the passenger side there’s a 12-inch screen for navigation and GPS. It’s IPX7 waterproof and can operate in temperatures between -15°C and 55°C.
The Crawler features a two-way radio communication system that can be used through the four included Brabus carbon helmets, or with other headsets if required.
Pricing for the Brabus Crawler starts at €891,310 ($A1.33 million) before shipping and taxes.
This isn’t the first crazy G-Wagen-based creation that Brabus has cooked up.
Others include the 800 XLP pick-up, Invicto armoured G-Class, and 550 Adventure 4×42.
Although the Brabus Crawler might be one of the craziest G-Wagen-based creations ever, don’t expect it to be the last.
Click an image to view the full gallery.
Keyword: 2022 Brabus Crawler desert racer revealed