Smart Brabus is the name given to the sporting versions of Smart cars prepared by the tuning company Brabus. The partnership began with the first-generation Fortwo and later covered the Roadster and the Forfour, adding power, bigger wheels and a more aggressive appearance.
Smart Brabus at a glance
| Partner | Brabus, Bottrop, Germany |
|---|---|
| First smart Brabus | Fortwo, first generation |
| Fortwo | Brabus version available in both generations |
| Roadster Brabus | from March 2004; 74 kW (101 PS) |
| Roadster Brabus price | €24,950 (Roadster), €26,570 (Coupé) |
| Forfour Brabus | 2005; 130 kW (177 PS) |
| Forfour Brabus acceleration | 0–100 km/h in 6.9 s |
| Forfour Brabus top speed | 221 km/h |
| Wheels | 17-inch Monoblock VI (Roadster); 17-inch (Forfour) |
| Gearbox | five-speed manual only (Forfour Brabus) |
| Exhaust | twin sports exhaust (Roadster Brabus) |
| Suspension | lowered (Roadster Brabus) |
Smart Brabus has no Wikipedia article of its own; the facts here come from the Brabus sections of the articles on the Fortwo, Roadster and Forfour, so this page is based on those sources rather than a dedicated account.
History of the Smart Brabus
Smart and Brabus
Brabus, based in Bottrop in Germany, has long prepared high-performance versions of Mercedes-Benz cars, and its partnership with Smart followed the same pattern. A sport model marketed as the Brabus model was offered in both the first and the second generation of the Fortwo, bringing more power and a more sporting appearance to the two-seat city car. The association extended to the other models of the range as they appeared.
Roadster Brabus (2004)
The Roadster and Roadster Coupé received Brabus versions from March 2004, priced at €24,950 and €26,570. Their 698 cc turbocharged three-cylinder engine was raised to 74 kW (101 PS). The cars were distinguished by a twin sports exhaust, lowered suspension, polished six-spoke 17-inch Monoblock VI alloy wheels with 205/40 ZR17 tyres at the front and 225/35 ZR17 at the rear, a front spoiler, side skirts and a special radiator grille. Inside, the Xclusive package included a leather-trimmed dashboard. All Roadster Brabus cars were built alongside the standard models at Hambach in France.
Forfour Brabus (2005)
For the first-generation Forfour, Brabus prepared a version with a turbocharged 1.5-litre Mitsubishi 4G15 engine rated 130 kW (177 PS), 27 PS more than the Mitsubishi Colt CZT on which the car was based. It reached a maximum speed of 221 km/h and accelerated from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds. The Forfour Brabus came only with a five-speed manual gearbox and rode on 17-inch wheels, and it formed the top of the Forfour range in 2005.
The formula
Across the range the Brabus treatment followed a consistent recipe: a more powerful engine, a lowered and firmer chassis, larger alloy wheels, extra bodywork and a richer interior. Because the cars were prepared in partnership with Smart, they kept the standard warranty and dealer support, which separated them from aftermarket conversions.
Design and features
- Factory partnership: Brabus versions were sold through Smart dealers rather than as aftermarket conversions.
- More power: 74 kW (101 PS) in the Roadster and 130 kW (177 PS) in the Forfour.
- Chassis changes: lowered suspension and 17-inch wheels on the tuned models.
- Visual kit: sports exhausts, front spoilers, side skirts and special grilles.
- Interior trim: the Xclusive package with a leather-trimmed dashboard in the Roadster.
Smart Brabus versions
- Fortwo Brabus: the sport version offered in both the first and second Fortwo generations.
- Roadster Brabus (2004): the 101 PS open car with a sports exhaust and 17-inch wheels.
- Roadster Coupé Brabus (2004): the same specification for the glazed fastback.
- Forfour Brabus (2005): the 177 PS five-door, the fastest Smart Brabus of its time.
The Brabus versions were based on the Smart Fortwo, the Smart Roadster and the Smart Forfour. More cars are in the Smart collection.
Video: Im Detail: Smart Brabus – 10 Jahre Zusammenarbeit | Motor mobil
Video by YouTube on YouTube.
Sources
- Smart Fortwo, English Wikipedia: Brabus model in both generations
- Smart Roadster, English Wikipedia: Roadster Brabus engine, wheels, body kit, interior
- Smart Forfour, English Wikipedia: Forfour Brabus engine, performance, gearbox, wheels
- Smart Roadster, German Wikipedia: Brabus dates and prices
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