German tuning haus Brabus says this is the world’s fastest four-seater cabriolet - and at a claimed 370km/h flat out they're not going to get many challengers for the title.
Meet the 588kW Brabus 800 E V12 Cabriolet, yours for only €478 000 (R4.56 million) ex factory.
Like its two sister cars, the E V12 sedan and coupé, it's based on the current Mercedes-Benz E-Class but when after that, things get a little wild.
Shoehorned into the engine bay (it's a very tight fit) is the most powerful engine Brabus makes; it's based on the three-valve V12 of the current S-Class, with a special crank and bigger pistons to increase both bore and stroke, taking capacity from the original 5.5 litres out to 6.3, topped off with gas-flowed cylinder heads and lumpier cams.
It breathes in through a bonnet-mounted, carbon-fibre, ram-air scoop, four water-to-air intercoolers and a special intake manifold, and out through special exhaust manifolds with integrated, bigger turbos and a special stainless-steel exhaust system with four drain-sized tailpipes.
The result, says Brabus, is 588kW at 5500rpm and 1420Nm - but even the reinforced, heavy-duty, five-speed auto transmission in the E V12 can't handle that much twist, so it's dialled back to “only” 1100Nm in customer cars.
This truly heroic urge reaches the car's rear wheels via a special Brabus differential with slip limited to 40 percent. Acceleration s quoted as 0-100 in 3.7 seconds, 0-200 in 9.9 sec and 0-300 in 23.9 sec.
All of which takes some controlling; the E V12's carbon-fibre aero package has been developed in a wind tunnel with the emphasis on directional stability and active safety.
The front apron has been shaped to reduce lift on the front axle and guide the maximum amount of cooling air to the radiators and front brakes, while gills in the sides route hot air away from the heat exchangers as quickly as possible.
Special front fenders widen the body to house 9.5Jx19 rims shod with 265/30 tyres, while carbon-fibre rear-fender flares add 60mm to the overall width of the car to make space for 295/30 rear rubber.
Brabus-designed suspension components allow for a wider range of adjustment than the standard kit (including 35mm on the ride height) and are teamed with adjustable Bilstein dampers and stiffer springs, especially at the front, to deal with the heavier-than-standard engine.
Stopping is entrusted to 380mm vented and grooved front brake discs and 12-piston callipers, with 360mm platters and six-piston callipers on the rear wheels.
Interior trim, of course, is equally outrageous; this one, the first E V12 cabriolet off the line, is trimmed in lipstick red and black leather with a special, ergonomic steering wheel and carbon-fibre trim on the dashboard, centre console and door panels.
But what really tells you this is a very special car, even when it's standing still, is the big analogue speedometer, reading up to 400km/h!