Brabus E V12: The Fastest Sedan Ever Built Still Reigns Supreme in 2025

With 800 horsepower and a top speed of 230 mph, the Brabus E V12 continues to hold its crown as the fastest sedan ever made–even against today’s most powerful electric rivals.

When Brabus unveiled the E V12 in 2009, the automotive world was left in awe. Based on the Mercedes-Benz E-Class W212, this radical machine swapped the standard V8 for a 6.3-liter twin-turbo V12, producing 800 horsepower and reaching a staggering top speed of 230 mph (370 km/h). At the time, it outpaced Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Porsche rivals, cementing its title as the fastest four-door sedan on the planet.

A record EVs still can’t beat
In 2025, even with extreme electric contenders like the Lucid Air Sapphire and the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra, the Brabus E V12 still stands tall. The Lucid accelerates quicker from 0–60 mph, but its top speed is capped at 205 mph (330 km/h). The Xiaomi matched 217 mph (350 km/h), although customer versions of the Brabus were also limited to that figure. Still, its true record of 230 mph remains untouched.

Exclusivity and extreme luxury
Only 10 units of the Brabus E V12 were ever built, each sold for around half a million euros at launch. Today, prices would soar well above $1 million thanks to its rarity and legendary status. Beyond raw performance, the sedan featured a quilted leather interior, cutting-edge technology for its time, and a lightweight carbon-fiber aerodynamic body kit.

A legacy Brabus still carries
More than a decade later, Brabus continues to produce outrageous machines like the Brabus Rocket 1000 based on the AMG GT63 SE Performance, or 1,000-hp versions of the Mercedes-AMG S63. Yet none have achieved the same mythical status as the E V12. For many, it represents the ultimate peak of the German tuner’s engineering and an eternal benchmark in the history of high-performance sedans.

The Brabus E V12: a living legend
Time has only strengthened the reputation of the Brabus E V12. With its ferocious power, near-unattainable exclusivity, and a top speed that even today’s hypercars struggle to reach, the E V12 wasn’t just the fastest sedan of its era–it remains one of the most impressive cars ever built.