Forgotten vehicle has quietly been the world's fastest sedan for more than 15 years
Published on Sep 12, 2025 at 5:53 PM (UTC+4)
by Alessandro Renesis
Last updated on Sep 12, 2025 at 8:37 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones
This is the Brabus E V12, and it’s still the fastest sedan in the world.
Only 10 were built, and the price tag was incredible for the time.
More importantly, it holds a record that’s still unbeaten today.
And there’s a reason for that.
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How Brabus created the fastest sedan in the world
In the 2000s, Brabus began developing a new high-performance model based on the pre-facelift Mercedes-Benz E-Class W212.
Visually, it had optional closed wheels at the back and a sizable wing but other than that, it looked more or less normal.
But what was going on under the hood was not normal at all.
The German tuning company used the E 63 AMG as a canvas, but they replaced the 5.5-liter V12 with a 6.3-liter V12, and they gave it 800 horsepower (as standard, it had 577hp) and 1,047lb-ft of torque.
It did 0-60MPH in 3.5 seconds, and the top speed was 230mph.
According to Guinness World Records, its verified top speed was 227mph – or 365km/h.
Around 15 years later, the record is still unbeaten.
Only 10 were built, with a price tag starting from €600,000 ($700,000).
That’s over $1 million in today’s money, when adjusted for inflation.
Why the record may never be beaten
To this day, the Brabus E V12 is still the fastest sedan in the world.
The Koenigsegg Gemera, for example, is faster, but that can’t be considered a sedan because even though it has four seats, it only has two doors.
Then there are a lot of fast electric sedans, but EVs have lower top speeds than their gas counterparts.
Even the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra, technically a sedan, is slower.
It ‘only’ has a top speed of 217mph.
As for gas cars, the problem is that automakers are moving away from V12s, and they’re also moving away from ultra-fast sedans.
The reason is simple: people just want SUVs.
For all of these reasons, the Brabus E V12 record still stands.
Alessandro is an automotive journalist with 10 years of experience covering supercars, automotive history, emerging vehicle technology, and luxury transportation. He wrote the first article published on SupercarBlondie.com when the website launched in 2022 and has since built a reputation for insightful reporting across the automotive and transportation industries. His expertise is grounded in hands-on experience. Alessandro has driven every Tesla model ever produced, from the original Roadster to the Cybertruck, and regularly covers the latest developments in electric vehicles and automotive innovation. His passion for transportation extends beyond cars, he has even flown a Boeing 787 Dreamliner simulator in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. His reporting spans everything from classic American muscle cars and rare automotive discoveries to luxury yachts, private aircraft, high-end watches, and cutting-edge vehicle technology. Known for his deep knowledge of automotive history and ability to uncover the stories behind iconic vehicles, Alessandro brings readers a blend of historical context, technical expertise, and first-hand experience.
