BRABUS Explained: The Bottrop Tuner Behind WIDESTAR, Carbon Aero and the Loudest G63s on the Road

Shop Talk · BRABUS

Some cars get noticed. A BRABUS G63 gets heard two blocks before it shows up — and by the time it rolls past on 23s with those flared carbon arches, nobody's looking at anything else.

BRABUS is one of the most recognized names in high-end tuning, and for good reason. Here's where it came from, what WIDESTAR actually is, and how owners in Southern California and across the country start their own BRABUS builds.

• The story
• What is WIDESTAR?
• Start a build
• FAQ

• 1977Founded in Bottrop, Germany
• BRA+BUSNamed after founders Brackmann and Buschmann
• 238+Genuine BRABUS parts listed at Vibe
• 21Vehicle platforms, G-Class to Rolls-Royce

A Mercedes as fast as a Porsche

The way the story goes, a young Bodo Buschmann drove a Porsche 911 — and kept parking it at his father's Mercedes-Benz dealership in Bottrop. His father wasn't having it, so Bodo swapped into a W116 S-Class. Then he set out to make it as quick as the Porsche he'd given up.

He couldn't find a tuner who shared his vision, so in 1977 he started his own. German law required two founders, so his friend Klaus Brackmann signed on, the company took the first three letters of each surname — BRAckmann + BUSchmann — and Brackmann reportedly sold his shares back for the equivalent of 100 euros shortly after.

The rest is legend. In 2005 BRABUS dropped a twin-turbo V12 into a Mercedes CLS, called it the Rocket, and tested it at more than 360 km/h — a four-door sedan faster than most supercars of its day. Bodo passed away in 2018, and his son Constantin now runs the company, pushing BRABUS beyond Mercedes into Rolls-Royce, Porsche, Lamborghini, Bentley and Range Rover — still from Bottrop.

What is WIDESTAR?

WIDESTAR is BRABUS's widebody program — and the reason you can spot a BRABUS G-Wagon from across a parking lot. It replaces the factory arches with wider fender flares, adds a new front fascia and rear apron, and gives the truck a planted, muscular stance that the stock G63 simply doesn't have. On newer kits, you can choose exposed carbon in glossy or matte.

Wider body means more room for wheels, and that's where a WIDESTAR build really comes alive. Here's how ours came together:

• VehicleMercedes-AMG G63
• BodyBRABUS WIDESTAR widebody
• WheelsVossen Forged EVO-3 23×10.5
• TiresMichelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV 295/35R23

• G63 W465 · 2025+WIDESTAR Widebody KitView kit →
• G63 W463A · 2019–2024WIDESTAR Widebody KitView kit →
• G63 W465 · 2025+WIDESTAR Carbon Package IView package →

It's not just G-Wagons

BRABUS has spent decades refining the cars the rest of the world considers "already finished." A few of the programs owners ask us about most:

Rolls-Royce & Maybach

Full carbon WIDESTAR widebody for the Cullinan, plus valve-controlled exhausts that give a V12 a voice it never had from the factory.

• Cullinan Series II · 2025+WIDESTAR Carbon WidebodyView kit →
• Maybach S680 · 2022+Valve-Controlled ExhaustView exhaust →
• G63 W465 · 2025+Illuminated Sport ExhaustView exhaust →

AMG performance cars

Exposed-carbon aero and "Sound Packages" for the AMG GT 4-Door, S63 Coupe and Cabriolet, SL63 and more — the kind of subtle-but-not-really upgrades that make an AMG feel finished.

Everyday Mercedes

You don't need a six-figure truck to wear the badge. BRABUS body packages for the GLE, GLS, C-Class and GLB are one of the easiest ways to give an AMG Line car a real identity.

• G-Class W465
• G-Class W463A
• S-Class & Maybach
• AMG GT 4-Door
• GLE
• GLS
• Cullinan
• Urus SE
• 911 Turbo S
• Range Rover
• Continental GT

How a BRABUS build comes together

1. Pick your platform. Find your car on our BRABUS page — every part lists its chassis code and model years.
2. Choose your direction. Most builds start with one of three things: a body kit, an exhaust or carbon trim.
3. Confirm fitment by VIN. Send us your VIN and we'll confirm the exact part numbers, pricing and current lead time from Bottrop.
4. Finish it right. We install in-house at our Southern California shop — and most owners finish the look with a set of forged wheels sized for the new stance.

FAQ

Are these genuine BRABUS parts?

Yes. Every BRABUS part we list is genuine BRABUS with its original part number — no replicas or "BRABUS-style" copies.

What does BRABUS stand for?

It combines the first three letters of the founders' surnames: Klaus Brackmann and Bodo Buschmann. The company was founded in Bottrop, Germany in 1977.

What is the BRABUS WIDESTAR?

WIDESTAR is BRABUS's widebody program, best known on the Mercedes-AMG G63. It adds wider fender flares, a new front fascia and rear apron, with exposed-carbon options on newer kits.

How long do BRABUS parts take?

Most BRABUS parts are produced in Germany and shipped on order, so lead times vary by part. Contact us for the current lead time before ordering.

Are BRABUS exhausts legal in California?

BRABUS exhaust systems are developed for the European market and do not carry a CARB Executive Order, so they are not legal for use on pollution-controlled vehicles in California or other CARB states. Check your local emissions and noise laws before ordering.

BRABUS history drawn from public sources including BRABUS and Wikipedia. Availability and pricing subject to change.