To say BRABUS has had a milestone year would be an absolute understatement, as the brand continues to expand its fleet of modified masterpieces while debuting its first-ever bespoke superyacht before taking over Monterey Car Week with the all-new BODO coupe and convertible. And even as these new ventures take shape on both land and sea, BRABUS is still hard at work on its performance marine series with the team at Axopar Boats. Alongside the reveal of the Axopar’s all-new 38 Cross Top, BRABUS is pleased to put its stealthy signature touch on the latest release, debuting the 850 horsepower Shadow 850 XC Cross Cabin and the 1,000 horsepower Shadow 1000 XC Cross Cabin.
Built on Axopar’s new 38 platform, the new 38-foot build takes the already popular Cross Cabin design and combines it with the open Sun Top configuration. At the heart of it all are twin Mercury Racing 500R V8 outboards, sending a jaw-dropping 1,000 horsepower to the water and pushing the boat to 60 knots. That’s plenty of power for quick sprints on the open water or casually cruising between sand bars, while the twin-stepped 20-degree V “Sharp Entry Hull” keeps everything stable and under control instead of simply chasing a big number on the speedometer.
Of course, horsepower is only a small part of the BRABUS treatment. The Shadow 1000 XC gets the full Black Ops recipe, with extensive exposed carbon fiber, dark finishes, signature red accents, and enough BRABUS detailing to make it instantly recognizable from across any marina. The carbon fiber continues onto areas like the roof lighting and exterior trim, while the black-and-red theme carries into the cabin with glossy carbon surfaces and contrasting Moonstone and Graphite upholstery. It’s very much the same visual DNA found across the brand’s supercars. And honestly, that’s what makes the Shadow 1000 so impressive; it looks every bit like a BRABUS even while it's docked.
Behind the wheel, the Shadow 1000 XC gets plenty of technology to help make sense of all that performance. Two 16-inch Simrad displays handle navigation and key vessel information, while radar, FLIR night vision, an echo sounder, and a rear-view camera are all available to keep an eye on what is happening around the boat. When it comes time to slow things down and pull into the marina, joystick-controlled trim tabs, a bow thruster, and JPO integration make maneuvering a little less intimidating.
Inside, things remain calm, cool, and collected. The BRABUS Masterpiece cabin brings in top-tier upholstery, carbon fiber accents, and configurable seating, with materials that give the interior a look that feels more like a high-end BRABUS than an everyday day boat. There is also plenty of flexibility depending on how the owner plans to use it, with options including an aft cabin, wet bar, refrigerator, air conditioning, and fold-down activity platforms. Add in the BRABUS Premium Audio system, RGB lighting, and underwater lights, and the Shadow 1000 XC can easily transform from a seriously quick run across the water to an afternoon spent anchored somewhere with friends.
