Automotive

Brabus Ultimate 125 is anything but "Smart"

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The new Brabus Exclusive 125 is a crazy, overpriced city car
The new Brabus Exclusive 125 is a crazy, overpriced city car
The triple exhaust on the Brabus Exclusive 125 is unique to the car
The Exclusive 125 runs with a unique bodykit
Pricing for the Exclusive 125 starts at more than $50,000 
The Ultimate 125 will be built in extremely limited numbers
The interior of the Exclusive 125 is color-matched to the exterior
The quilted leather of the Exclusive 125 goes some way to justifying the pricetag
The Smart ForTwo doesn't make the most logical base for a Brabus tuner
Lightweight monoblock wheels feature on the Exclusive 125
The 18-inch wheels on the Exclusive 125 are housed by flared wheelarches
The 125 shares this three-exhaust with the Ferrari F40
Just in case you weren't sure, the Exclusive 125 will be built in very limited numbers
Brabus will be showing the Smart Exclusive 125 off at the Geneva Motor Show
Quilted leather is the fashion in high-end interiors at the moment
Brabus has added a heap of stainless steel interior touches to the Exclusive 125
Brabus has swapped the standard gearknob for a special unit in the Exclusive 125
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Brabus is known for earth-shatteringly powerful Mercedes-AMG sports cars, but the tuner isn't afraid to set its sights a little lower. Based on the lowly three-cylinder Smart ForTwo, the Brabus Ultimate 125 adds a little more power, a bit more style and a crazy pricetag to the formula it debuted on the Smart Brabus last year.

Anyone expecting a crazy acceleration time or insane power outputs – both of which would usually fit into this paragraph of a Brabus story – are going to be disappointed here. Power comes from a warmed-over version of the 900cc three-cylinder engine from the standard Smart ForTwo, fitted with a modified intake system, more efficient intercooler and a tweaked engine control unit (ECU).

With a whopping 92 kW (125 hp) of power and terrifying 200 Nm (147 lb.ft) on tap, the Exclusive 125 will spring off the line and hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in a leisurely 9.2 seconds, on the way to an electrically-limited 175 km/h (109 mph) top speed. Power is put to the road through a six-speed automatic gearbox with paddleshifters.

The quilted leather of the Exclusive 125 goes some way to justifying the pricetag

If the scintillating performance isn't enough of a giveaway that this isn't your average Smart, the Ultimate 125 has been treated to a complete makeover. Gone are the standard wheels and a set of lightweight monoblock 18-inch wheels has been subbed in, along with a wide bodykit and triple-exhaust setup down back. It certainly stands out, especially finished in a special shade of turquoise with black-gloss wheels like the Geneva show car.

The changes carry over to the interior, which is trimmed in quilted Brabus leather colored to match the exterior. Although they're not trimmed in leather, the instrument binnacle, air vent surrounds, column stalks and door handles are all finished in body color for extra effect. Stainless steel pedals and scuff plates are also included, as are velour floor mats.

Just 125 examples of the Brabus Ultimate 125 will be built, with prices starting at €49,980 for the hatchback and €52,800 (US$52,900 and $55,900 respectively). There won't be many built, but that's enough for a BMW 340i or Mercedes-AMG C43 without any options. Bonkers doesn't even begin to describe it.

The car will be on display at the Geneva Motor Show, where New Atlas will be on the ground covering all the action. Stay tuned for more.

Source: Brabus

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4 comments
Bob Flint
Perfect for that youngster that already owns the $5000 e-bike...
sk8dad
Why bother?
Grunchy
THAT'S NOTHING Imagine paying over $1 million for a blacksmithy car from the '20s or earlier, yet people do that based on stories published here. It may not even have a complete roof or windows! Fool & Money are Soon Parted, here's that car thingy you wanted. Take care now.
Tom Lee Mullins
I think that is really cool and really nice looking. If I could afford one, I would get one. It is definitely going on my Christmas wish list.