Filed under: Aftermarket, Economy, Etc., Hatchbacks, SMART, Ferrari
SMART 250 SWB Speciale
Now there's short wheelbase and then there's short wheelbase. The Smart ForTwo is about as short as they come. The original Ferrari 250 GT came in long-wheelbase "Lusso" and short wheelbase versions, the latter more of a competition special and a collectors' favorite. To honor (or mimic, depending on your point of view) the iconic gran turismo, 250 SWB Ltd., a leading Ferrari specialist in the UK, prepared this unique 2004 Smart 250 SWB Speciale.
Under the hood, the engine was remapped, outfitted with a larger turbocharger, new dump valve, bigger injectors and the Brabus exhaust system. The wheel and tire package was upgraded and the suspension has been lowered. Inside the interior was swathed in Italian leather with carbon fiber and aluminum trim. It also comes fitted with a Sony CD stereo, sat-nav and phone kit. Outside you'll also notice the red and silver paintjob, Ferrari badging, halogen lights and aerodynamic body kit that sets it apart from an ordinary Smart.
With all the modifications, the owner describes the car as feeling incredibly fast – "delirious entertainment" – with a 0-60 time below eight seconds, a 115 mph top end and average fuel economy over 50 mpg. The car recently sold for a little over ten thousand pounds.
Modern tribute to the original or shameful exploitation of the name? We'd tend to lean closer to the latter, but it's entertaining nonetheless.
[Source: 250 SWB LTD]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Ian 8:29PM (1/01/2007)
It would be way cooler if it were actually a shortened wheelbase Smart rather than "oh, hay guys this car is already really short lets call it something that plays on that."
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Billy Hancock 8:31PM (1/01/2007)
That is an abomination...end of discussion.
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Jaymez 8:45PM (1/01/2007)
Sure, the Vette that was done up like a Ferrari is laughed at. Why does this get anything even close to praise? Like the Vette or not, at least it's a performance car.
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Jeff Banks 8:57PM (1/01/2007)
I'm sure Ferrari is not too worried about market competition from logo-branded SMART cars.
Looks like a bit of fun put together by a group of Ferrari racing fans.
You people tend to take things a little too seriously.
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Car videos & Motorcycle videos 9:48PM (1/01/2007)
"I drive a Ferrari" will have a whole new meanng :)
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Paul 10:59PM (1/01/2007)
Well it's most likey just some fans. I've seen tons of fan smarts based on everything. Even the Mclaren one.
Still can't wait till the new smart hits the uk later this year!
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Jerry 2:50AM (1/02/2007)
Well i would say it is better than a ferrari anyway. Why waste money on a million dollar crap just to showoff when you can get a smart car like that lol. Does this one even look better then that at all http://www.carsnaps.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3 ROFL
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Derek 7:34AM (1/02/2007)
If you read the article, it was done up by a UK Ferrari fan.
Not that bad if you ask me. Personally I would do the upgrades but nix the paint scheme. A pretty zippy 0-60 time and good fuel economy even if those are probably UK gallons. But surely no one with even half a brain will mistake it for a real Ferrari.
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jrhmobile 8:05AM (1/02/2007)
Rather than looking at it as a tribute or abomination, how about giving it a pass as "humorous sacrilege"?
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