Most people associate the name Brabus with the elegant, powerful and super-fast vehicles from Mercedes and the Smart. Since 2017, the Bottrop-based luxury manufacturer has also positioned itself in the boat sector. Our test boat, the Brabus Shadow 900 Black Ops, is based on the Axopar 37 and is also built in the Axopar factory.
Brabus advertises the new flagship with the words: "The 'BlackOps' Launch Edition embodies the unique, extravagant BRABUS design to perfection. Based on the experience of the first BRABUS Marine boats, the new flagship Shadow 900 takes the joint platform strategy of BRABUS Marine and Axopar to a new, super exciting level."
Need more information? You can find the test of the Brabus Shadow 900 Black Ops with technical data and more pictures in BOOTE issue 01/2021 at newsagents or online at Delius Klasing Shop.
While the normal Axopar 37 has a maximum of two 350 hp engines, anyone can imagine that this power is not enough for the Brabus people in charge. Two 450 hp outboards from Mercury's racing range are fitted to the transom of their special edition. The hull is reinforced compared to the standard Axopar to ensure that this power can also be used on the boat without any problems. It is also no surprise that the appearance differs from the standard Axopar version; our version has a black base colour with red colour accents such as the seats. In short, its appearance simply matches the rest of the company outfit.
It's not just when you look at the boat that you're amazed; when you climb aboard, everything is at its finest. The seats are extremely firm, both the driver's and passenger seats as well as the sports seats in the "rear ranks". Everything is covered by a sunroof, which has a soft top in the centre that opens and closes electrically. The sunbathing area aft also leaves nothing to be desired - another "feel-good spot" can be found on the foredeck.
Access below deck is via three doors, either directly from the passenger seat or via two double doors from the side decks. Regardless of which door you choose, you enter a room that also cannot conceal who has done the styling here, and this is not only due to the fact that the company label is sewn onto the upholstery. Dark and light contrasts and high-quality furniture give the cabin a truly elegant touch. The designer has integrated a double berth here, and there is also a matching seating area, under which a marine toilet is concealed.
Driving: Taking a seat behind the steering wheel on the sports seat is a real pleasure. The seat provides excellent lateral support, and the steering wheel with its multifunction module is also a highlight. It can be turned, but the control panel remains upright. The normal gearstick with two levers is well positioned, but the standard joystick system is probably mostly used for "parking". A total of four monitors (integrated in glass cockpits) provide information on all engine and boat data as well as the position. Some of them can also be programmed, for example with a checklist.
Switch on both engines and the duo purrs away. If you want more of a "sports car feeling", switch on the V-8 sound, which always gives me a big grin. It's child's play to push both levers forwards a little and the crawl begins. Here, the Brabus behaves quite normally and tracks its course reliably and true to the track.
Now comes the heart-stopping moment: both levers fully forwards. The two racers from Mercury accelerate the Brabus without delay and bring it into planing speed at breakneck speed. To ensure that everything happens in the optimum trim position, the boat has a system consisting of Mercury's Activ trim (automatically regulates the power trim) and manual trim tabs. The systems are not only responsible for the transition area, but for the entire planing speed up to the maximum speed. Brabus promises customers a top speed of over 60 knots - that's an impressive 111.2 km/h, which is really fast on the water.
So we put the lever on the table and off we go: We tickle - or rather, the Activ automatic trim system in conjunction with the 900 hp Mercury - as much as 62 knots out of the car and trailer. To ensure that the driver now reacts sensitively, the steering becomes harder as the speed increases and tells him to make only slight steering corrections. I try out slalom driving at just under 55 knots and am amazed at how well and stable the hull behaves. A little less speed and I make a tight turn, which generates a lot of lateral forces, but the hull does a great turn without complaining - adrenaline rush included, of course.
If you set off on a long journey, you can run the engines at around 3500 rpm and then cover a reasonable 219 nm with a fuel load of 730 litres minus 15% reserve at a consumption of 2.84 l/sm. And the test boat is still travelling at a good 30 knots. Interested? Our test boat model is limited to 37 units. However, there is also a Shadow 900 Sun-Top Gelcoat, which is unlimited.
