The smart, successful model from the Mercedes subsidiary is already in its 4th generation with the BRABUS car tuner. The small smart has been refined again and again by the Bottrop-based company since 2002. This not only includes the sporty attachments and fine interior details. The smart fortwo, fortwo cabrio and forfour receive the full BRABUS know-how from the engine to the sports suspension and transmission to the power steering. Driver assistance systems are just as important as entertainment. Presented at the auto show in Beijing in April and May this year, the three mini all-rounders will be available at smart dealerships from July 8, waiting for customers. The smart BRABUS models are on the European market with an entry-level price of € 19.710.
The new smart BRABUS in the first driving report
The successful city car is even faster with BRABUS technology
The revolution in spirit already started 1986. The idea of a city car, which was supposed to be below the A-segment, has hitherto not only concerned the industry. Also at numerous universities in this country was presented again and again a concept. After long negotiations between different companies, 1994 took over the management of Daimler Benz AG and founded the Micro Compact Car AG with the former idea generator Nicolas G. Hayek. When finally 2002 became the current smart GmbH, another partner was found very quickly to individualize the vehicle even in smaller quantities. At that time, Daimler entered into a joint venture with the BRABUS car tuner. The smart BRABUS GmbH was born. After careful attempts with the fortwo, the interest increased to drive the little racer even faster and make it look even nobler. All new features for the future model year are equally intended for the fortwo, fortwo cabrio and forfour. The changes to the design should clearly set the smart BRABUS apart from the monotony of the micro segment. Visually we immediately notice the rear diffuser insert with its tailpipes in chrome look. Add to that the BRABUS typical monoblock alloy wheels. According to the motto: "never change a running system", it was left to the outside optics. All three models in the top equipment were in quick run on last Thursday in Dusseldorf and surrounding area ready for the test.
Interior with great attention to detail
The navigation device in the middle of the dashboard welcomes us in three parts. Information about the route, the on-board computer and the radio are equally available to us. The for two cabrio is opened electrically using a button on the center console. First up to the roll bar of the approx. 2,70 m short vehicle, then the journey through Düsseldorf begins. With a finger pressure on the map of the navigation system it enlarges to the full extent of the display. The materials used in the "Xclusive" equipment are of very high quality and filigree, and the color matching is very well chosen. Both driver and front passenger have sufficient and comfortable space in the fortwo cabrio. The trunk looks very small and you would like to think that you can hardly put anything in it. Its 340 liters with the roof closed still have space for two board trolleys or even six water containers.
Strong 3 cylinder
The powerful three-cylinder turbo gasoline engine with its 80 kW (109 PS) and a torque of 170 Newton meters at 2.000 revolutions per minute pushes forward very powerfully, which not only helps us quickly in city traffic. We can get around quickly with the small smart BRABUS on urban roads and even on the city motorway around Düsseldorf. The bolt comes from the engine management at 180 km / h. The consumption of a combined 4,6 liters stated by the manufacturer cannot of course be kept at this rate. The sports suspension with the specially tuned ESP in conjunction with the power steering allow the city flea to deliver good cornering performance. The smart Brabus remains above all a sporty representative of its class and does not play the litter.
Sporty gearbox
With a sporty design of the twinamic dual-clutch transmission, BRABUS will compete with its predecessor, which is fully satisfied on the first test kilometers. There are hardly any switching breaks and the new "race-start" function of the gearbox lives up to its name. Starting at green switched traffic lights or entering in flowing traffic conjure us a smile in the face.
Two equipment lines
Buyers can expect two equipment lines for the smart BRABUS. In addition to long equipment lists, smart BRABUS GmbH also offers space for customization. If the smart BRABUS fortwo starts with the basic package at € 19.710, the fortwo cabrio at € 22.970 and the forfour at € 20.520, customers have to budget an additional € 3.000 for the next higher and only expandable equipment line "Xclusive". The high-end equipment includes BRABUS leather nappa sports seats, an instrument panel that matches synthetic leather / fabric, an additional cockpit clock with rev counter, an LED & sensor package and seat heating for the driver and front passenger.
Much more driving fun thanks to BRABUS technology and know-how. A good new car purchase for people in the city and urban environment.
Text and image: Stefan Beckmann
