BRABUS XL 800 Cabrio Review: Portal Axles, 800 HP, No Limits

The BRABUS XL 800 Cabrio is the kind of machine that makes you stop, stare, and immediately wonder how something this wild ended up being street legal. It takes the familiar shape of the Mercedes AMG G 63 and turns it into an open-top, go-anywhere giant with engineering that feels closer to a high-end concept car than a production vehicle. BRABUS did not simply cut the roof off a G-Class. They rebuilt the entire structure using high-strength steel, added more than 500 custom-developed parts, and created a cabriolet that keeps the strength and toughness of the original vehicle while giving its passengers a completely different kind of freedom.

The most shocking part of the XL model is the portal axle chassis. These massive components drop each wheel hub by 15 centimeters, boosting ground clearance to 47.9 centimeters. When you see the bright red portal axles under the Pale Brown body, you immediately understand this is not a typical luxury convertible. It is a machine built to crawl over obstacles that would stop almost every other open-top vehicle on Earth. The suspension uses a BRABUS Ride Control coilover system developed with KW, allowing the driver to adjust height and damping from inside the cabin. Whether you are crossing rough terrain or cruising through the city, the XL 800 has a setting for every moment.

Then there is the power. Under the hood sits a four-liter, eight-cylinder twin-turbo engine pushing 588 kilowatts or 800 horsepower with 1,000 newton-meters of torque. It launches the XL 800 Cabrio from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in 4.6 seconds, which is incredible when you consider the size, height, and all-terrain tires. The top speed is electronically limited to 210 kilometers per hour, and honestly, that is more than enough for something with this much ground clearance.

The design is unmistakably BRABUS. Exposed-structure carbon fiber, wide fenders, and the brand’s signature aggressive stance make the XL look like it rolled out of a movie set. The 22-inch Monoblock Z-HD wheels were built specifically for the portal axles, paired with 325/55 R 22 all-terrain tires that can handle mud, rocks, and pavement without hesitation. Every detail, from the carbon wheel arch extensions to the custom rear fascia, feels intentional and handcrafted.

Inside, the cabin takes things even further. BRABUS upholstered it in a vibrant shade of red leather to contrast the Pale Brown exterior. Every area you touch shows off the BRABUS “Shell” quilting, perforated seat sections for climate control, carbon accents across the dashboard, and aluminum details that feel milled rather than manufactured. Even the door-lock pins carry the BRABUS logo. It is a complete Masterpiece interior, built to order, allowing the owner to choose colors, trims, and finishes.

The soft top opens or closes in 20 seconds and is engineered with custom seals to stay watertight. Every XL 800 Cabrio goes through more than ten hours of climate-chamber rain testing before delivery. This kind of attention to detail is why BRABUS remains in a class of its own. They build vehicles that feel extreme in every way but are tested like factory models.