Automotive

Mercedes and Brabus team up on slightly less sedate Smart

The Smart Brabus triplets side-by-side
The Smart Brabus triplets side-by-side

Brabus is best known for producing ultra-powerful versions of AMG Mercedes sports cars, but the tuning house also has experience making Smart cars slightly faster than they were before. In keeping with that tradition, the latest Smart Brabus packs a 109-hp three-cylinder under its boot floor for those who want a bit more grunt getting around the city.

The three-cylinder engine Brabus has put in this little city car boasts 20 percent more power and 25 percent more torque than the original vehicle. That means drivers have access to 109 hp (80 kW) of power and 170 Nm (125 lb.ft) of torque, which is enough to catapult the Smart Brabus ForTwo and Cabrio to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 9.5 seconds.

The bigger, heavier Brabus ForFour uses the same engine for a 10.5 second sprint time, although its 180 km/h (112 mph) top speed is up 20 km/h (12 mph) on the ForTwo.

A big power figure is one thing, but actually being able to transfer it the road is another. Brabus has fitted a sports suspension system and tweaked its stability control calibration with this in mind, while a sportier power steering tune and race start mode also make the little Smart feel a bit sharper than before.

One thing Brabus always does well is styling, with a distinctive stealthy look helping its cars stand out on the autobahn. Unfortunately, the Smart doesn't get the fully blacked-out treatment, instead settling for a set of monoblock alloy wheels, a rear diffuser and a chrome exhaust tip. If that doesn't sound like enough there's also an optional xclusive trim level, which includes perforated leather, contrast stitching and a unique instrument panel in the dashboard.

You'll pay €19,710 (US$21,868) for the ForTwo Brabus, €22,970 ($25,485) for the ForTwo Brabus Cabriolet and €20,520 ($22,767) for the bigger ForFour. Adding xclusive trim bumps all those prices up by €3,000 ($3,329).

Source: Daimler

Brabus is best known for producing ultra-powerful versions of AMG Mercedes sports cars, but the tuning house also has experience making Smart cars slightly faster than they were before. In keeping with that tradition, the latest Smart Brabus packs a 109-hp three-cylinder under its boot floor for those who want a bit more grunt getting around the city.

The three-cylinder engine Brabus has put in this little city car boasts 20 percent more power and 25 percent more torque than the original vehicle. That means drivers have access to 109 hp (80 kW) of power and 170 Nm (125 lb.ft) of torque, which is enough to catapult the Smart Brabus ForTwo and Cabrio to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 9.5 seconds.

The bigger, heavier Brabus ForFour uses the same engine for a 10.5 second sprint time, although its 180 km/h (112 mph) top speed is up 20 km/h (12 mph) on the ForTwo.

A big power figure is one thing, but actually being able to transfer it the road is another. Brabus has fitted a sports suspension system and tweaked its stability control calibration with this in mind, while a sportier power steering tune and race start mode also make the little Smart feel a bit sharper than before.

One thing Brabus always does well is styling, with a distinctive stealthy look helping its cars stand out on the autobahn. Unfortunately, the Smart doesn't get the fully blacked-out treatment, instead settling for a set of monoblock alloy wheels, a rear diffuser and a chrome exhaust tip. If that doesn't sound like enough there's also an optional xclusive trim level, which includes perforated leather, contrast stitching and a unique instrument panel in the dashboard.

You'll pay €19,710 (US$21,868) for the ForTwo Brabus, €22,970 ($25,485) for the ForTwo Brabus Cabriolet and €20,520 ($22,767) for the bigger ForFour. Adding xclusive trim bumps all those prices up by €3,000 ($3,329).

Source: Daimler

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Flipboard
  • LinkedIn
2 comments
gizmowiz
The Smart4Two electric blows the doors off their gas models and seems to have been abandoned? Why?