Written by a model from the transcript; not yet reviewed.
Matt Farrar drives the new Brabus Bodo, a 1,000-horsepower, V12-powered, coach-built supercar based on the Aston Martin Vanquish, while interviewing Brabus CEO Constantin Buschmann. Behind the polished interview lies a running tension: the guest and his PR team arrived an hour and a half late, leaving the host fuming throughout the in-car conversation. They discuss the company's roots under founder Bodo Buschmann, the transition from modifying Mercedes-Benz vehicles to building complete coach-built cars, boats, and other luxury lifestyle products under the mission statement 'One Second Wow,' and the mysterious choice of using a 77 badge on a limited run of 77 cars.
Hosts introduce the episode, sponsor Off the Record, and set up the special format of interviewing the Brabus CEO while driving a new car.
The hosts explain the Bodo, a 1,000‑horsepower coach‑built Aston Martin Vanquish, and outline the plan to interview Konstantin Buschmann while driving it.
The hosts arrive at the Brabus location to find the team an hour and a half late, leading to frustration and a tense interview atmosphere.
Buschmann discusses the Bodo’s design origins, the company’s black‑car tradition, and the influence of his father on Brabus’s aesthetic and business philosophy.
The conversation shifts to Brabus’s evolution from a Mercedes‑Benz tuner to an independent OEM, covering early engine work, the Rocket project, and the company’s expansion into boats and motorbikes.
Buschmann explains Brabus’s brand ethos, the “One Second Wow” slogan, and how the company aims to translate its attitude‑forward design into diverse product lines.
The hosts test drive the Bodo, compare it to the Aston Martin Vanquish, and discuss power delivery, handling, and the impact of the 1,000‑hp V12 upgrade.
Buschmann addresses questions about the relationship with Aston Martin, the use of the 77 badge, and the legal and branding implications of the Bodo’s design and donor car sourcing.
A Frustrating Late Arrivalstory
The guest and PR team arrived an hour and a half late for the interview with flimsy excuses, leaving the host steaming mad throughout the entire in-car recording.
An Aston Martin Underneathinsight
The Bodo is a coach-built interpretation of the current-generation Aston Martin Vanquish, wrapped in a custom carbon fiber body and upgraded to 1,000 horsepower.
Even in the late 1970s and early 80s, engine modifications like the 190E 3.6S Brabus set the company apart from competitors before interiors and carbon fiber followed.
Expanding Beyond Mercedes-Benzstrategy
The CEO challenged his engineering team to stop limiting themselves to Mercedes-Benz products when their customers were already requesting work on Porsches and other brands.
Laughing Off Boat Expansionstory
When Brabus presented their first boat at the Dusseldorf boat show years ago, people laughed them out of the room, but they now have about 300 boats in the water.
One New Thing Per Yearstrategy
To keep the brand vibrant and full of pulse, the CEO instituted a rule that the company will do one new thing out of its comfort zone every single year.
What Does the Customer Careinsight
While industry insiders define Brabus as the world's largest OEM independent car tuner for Mercedes-Benz, the guest notes that the end customer ultimately does not care about that distinction.
The One Second Wowinsight
The guest explains that the mission of Brabus is built on the concept of One Second Wow, where a luxury product must work through the heart and stomach immediately.
“I think my favorite car from your company's catalog is the Rocket.”
“The fact that Mercedes makes a US class and that there will be a Brabus program for it, I love that.”
“One second wow. With a car like this, you have, and a boat by Brabus, and a motorbike by Brabus, and a motorhome by Brabus, and an apartment by Brabus, and anything else that we design.”
“It is, it has gone through your stomach and through your heart.”
“The 77 badge on the rear decklid of the Boto is a direct reference to the founding of Brabus in 1977 and to the company's roots in Germany's Ruhr region.”
Matt interviews the famous brand's CEO while driving the new, 1,000HP Brabus BODO up Angeles Crest. Recorded August 9, 2026 Enter to WIN our AMAZING 2025 Porsche 911 Turbo S!! https://www.dreamgiveaway.com/tickets/porsche?promo=SMOKINGTIRE Promo Code Offer: Get 4X bonus tickets with any donation of $25 or more. With every donation you are helping benefit some wonderful veterans' and children's charities. Podcast Promo Code: SMOKINGTIRE FitBod Get 25% off your subscription or try the app FREE for seven days at https://Fitbod.me/tire Quince Upgrade your everyday. Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers, or go to https://Quince.com/tire. Get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada and the UK, too
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Speaker names marked are inferred from speaking time and the show’s known hosts — they are not voice-verified.
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