Full Breakdown
Brabus Unveils 1,000-Horsepower Bodo Cabriolet at Monterey
8/18/2026, 10:56:49 AM
Core Event – Limited-Run Open-Top Hyper-GT Revealed
On August 14 Brabus introduced the Bodo Cabriolet at The Quail, Monterey. The car is a coachbuilt, open-top version of the Bodo Hyper-GT coupe, built on an Aston Martin Vanquish Volante chassis that Brabus strips, re-bodies in carbon-fiber, and mates to a re-calibrated 5.2-liter twin-turbo V12. Brabus rates the output at 1,000 hp and 885 lb-ft of torque, delivered through an eight-speed automatic to the rear wheels. Claimed performance: 0-60 mph in 3.0 s, 0-186 mph in 23.9 s, and an electronically limited top speed of 223 mph. Dry weight is 3,911 lb; dimensions are 199.3 in long, 79.8 in wide, and 51.3 in tall. Production is limited to 77 units, and the base price is €1.077 million (? $1.174 million), with bespoke options adding several hundred thousand dollars.
Background & Context – Brabus’s Coachbuilding Evolution
Founded in 1977, Brabus built its reputation on high-performance upgrades for Mercedes-Benz before expanding to Bentley, Land Rover, Porsche and Lamborghini. For the Bodo program, Brabus chose the Vanquish for its long wheelbase and front-mid V12 layout, providing a solid foundation for the ultra-exclusive project. Unlike historic coachbuilders that sold chassis alone, Brabus purchases fully built donor cars, strips them, and applies its own carbon-fiber bodywork and performance calibrations, ensuring regulatory compliance before delivery.
Data & Statistics
- Engine: 5.2-liter twin-turbo V12 (Aston Martin origin)
- Power / Torque: 1,000 hp / 885 lb-ft
- Transmission: 8-speed automatic with limited-slip differential
- Performance: 0-60 mph 3.0 s; 0-186 mph 23.9 s; top speed 223 mph (limited)
- Weight: 3,911 lb (dry)
- Dimensions: 199.3 in L × 79.8 in W × 51.3 in H
- Wheels: 22-inch Brabus Monoblock Z-GT on Pirelli tires
- Aerodynamics: Front carbon spoiler, electrically extendable rear wing, adjustable carbon-fiber rear spoiler
- Production limit: 77 units
- Base price: €1.077 million (? $1.174 million)
Official Statements & Responses – CEO Constantin Bushmann on Positioning and Design
Brabus CEO Constantin Bushmann said the North-American market still links the brand with Mercedes, but Brabus has broadened collaborations since 2022. He described the Bodo Cabriolet as a “hyper GT” that balances extreme power with Gran Turismo comfort, positioning it as a bespoke halo car for collectors rather than a daily driver. Bushmann noted a shift toward “very, very elegant designs” compared with Brabus’s traditionally aggressive aesthetic.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I think in the North American market, people are associating us a lot with Mercedes,” — Constantin Bushmann
- “People have called it a hyper GT online. We never called it that in the marketing materials. But hyper really refers to the overall appearance, the 1000 horsepower, speed, and so on. However, Gran Turismo also means a sporty car that is still comfortable. That it’s a cruiser,” — Constantin Bushmann
What’s Next – Availability and Customization
Each Bodo Cabriolet is built to order, with owners specifying paint, interior trims and bespoke features that can raise the final price by several hundred thousand dollars. The 77-unit cap makes the Cabriolet as scarce as the coupe, positioning it as a collector’s piece for the ultra-luxury market. Delivery timelines have not been disclosed.
