June 29, 2007 German automotive performance company Brabus regularly graces our pages, most notably by continually breaking its own record for the world’s fastest sedan. The name is synonymous with Mercedes and Smart performance tuning and the company’s latest effort involves the next generation Smart fortwo. With a reengineered 72 kW/98 bhp three cylinder turbo engine the smart fortwo BRABUS and the smart fortwo BRABUS Xclusive have 30 percent more power than before and still boast low fuel consumption. The sporty two-seater accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 9.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 155 km/h. Ex factory prices for the pocket rockets range from EUR16,490 (US$22,160) to EUR 22,430 (US$30,150) depending on the equipment line and body type.
The sporty character of the new smart fortwo BRABUS is immediately apparent. For example, it features "Monoblock VI" alloy wheels with wide tyres measuring 175/50 R 16 at the front and 225/35 R 17 at the rear, wider rear wheel arches, a sports exhaust system with centrally positioned stainless steel tailpipes and a body that has been lowered by ten millimetres. In the interior cockpit instruments with specially designed dials, BRABUS sports pedals and a three-spoke leather steering wheel with shift paddles underline the exclusiveness of this model. The transmission and suspension also have a sporty setup.
The smart fortwo BRABUS Xclusive lives up to its name with additional equipment details such as H7 projection headlamps with titanium coloured surrounds, a front spoiler with enlarged air inlets, striking side skirts and a rear apron painted in the colour of the body. The seats are covered with fine leather and are heated. The leather-effect instrument panel features aluminium-look trim components.
Both BRABUS models of the new smart fortwo are available as a coupé or a cabrio.
The turbo engine that has been improved in numerous details is the heart of the new smart fortwo BRABUS. From capacity of one litre the three-cylinder engine now develops 72 kW/98 bhp at 5500 rpm and lends the 770 kilogram two-door car remarkable agility. The weight to power ratio is just 7.8 kg/bhp - 24 percent lower than that of the previous BRABUS variant.
The turbo in-line engine develops maximum torque of 140 Newton metres at 3500 rpm. The BRABUS variant of the smart fortwo sprints from zero to 100 km/h in 9.9 seconds and reaches an electronically limited top speed of 155 km/h.
With combined fuel consumption of just 5.2 litres per 100 kilometres the new smart fortwo BRABUS is one of the most economical cars in its size and power category. Carbon dioxide emissions stand at 124 grams per kilometre.