Brabus goes gathering nuts in Maybach

While most people are making resolutions to perhaps be trimmer, or maybe make a conscious effort to simplify their lives, it's almost comforting to know that conspicuous consumption is still alive and well. For the uninitiated, Brabus is a German tuning company that takes Mercedes-Benz products and makes them ridiculously fast. And its reach goes beyond the usual suspects like the perennially popular SL. For example, this is a Maybach 57, the über-luxurious sedan.

However, it's no ordinary Maybach 57 (as if any Maybach could be called "ordinary"). Brabus has bored out its 5.5-liter V-12 to 6.3 liters, played with its internals, swapped in a couple of larger turbochargers and taken its horsepower level from 550 to 730. (Read more by clicking on the title.)

The engine is capable of 974 pound-feet of torque -- which might possibly be enough to change the direction of the Earth's rotation. So thank goodness it has been electronically pegged at a mere 811 lb-ft. Other mods include a tweaked suspension, a beefed-up transmission and a new exhaust system.

At a high-speed facility in Italy, the Brabus Maybach 57 recently claimed the title of "World's Fastest and Most Exclusive Luxury Sedan" by going through the traps at 205.2 mph. Pretty impressive for something that weighs about 6,000 pounds.

All manner of conveniences and gadgets may be ordered for the interior. Half a mil should net a fine model. It's just the thing for sipping champagne in the back, while Jeeves is up front, tearing along the freeway.

-- Colin Ryan