smart fortwo BRABUS coming to America
Click above to enlarge the Euro smart fortwo BRABUS
Those looking for a little bit more punch from their microcars are in luck as smart will begin offering the BRABUS-tuned version of its fortwo in the U.S. beginning in February 2009. News of its impending arrival was apparently emailed to potential smart owners who have already placed reservation deposits but have not yet configured their new fortwo. These people in line for a regular smart fortwo will have the option of changing their reservation to the limited edition BRABUS model beginning 8PM EST tonight. The American-ized version should feature the same 98-horsepower turbocharged three-cylinder engine as the BRABUS fortwo in Europe, as well as the same styling tweaks and handling package. Even with the increase in power, the European BRABUS fortwo is still able to achieve 45 miles per U.S. gallon. While it's 10-second run to 60 won't break any records, that's a precious few ticks quicker that the standard model and would surely make the microcar a lot more fun to drive. Still, we'll take what we can get.
UPDATE: Sources on the forum indicate the U.S.-spec fortwo BRABUS will not get the turbocharged version of the microcar's three-cylinder engine (probably because it's not certified in the U.S.), though a BRABUS Sport model may arrive later with the turbo. The BRABUS package will reportedly include a sport exhaust with dual center tips, sport suspension, 15- front and 17-inch rear wheels, power steering and all the BRABUS visual cues.
Gallery: smart fortwo BRABUS
[Source: All Cars All The Time, smart of america]
A special announcement from smart USA
Dear smart USA Reservation Holder,
smart USA has an exciting announcement to make! The very popular and sporty smart fortwo BRABUS model will make its debut in the United States beginning in February 2009, and you will have the opportunity to be one of the first customers to own this exciting vehicle.
All current reservation holders who have not yet been invited to configure their vehicles will have the opportunity to request to convert their current reservation to a smart fortwo BRABUS model beginning Thursday evening at 5pm PST, October, 23, 2008. This special offer will only be available for a limited time, and only a limited quantity of BRABUS models will be available, so be sure to check your email on Thursday, October 23, 2008, for model information, pricing and reservation instructions.
If you have any questions, please contact smart Customer Service by email or at 1.800.smart.USA (800.762.7887).
Enthusiastically,
The smart USA Team
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Torrent 12:25PM (10/23/2008)
lmfao
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Torrent 12:25PM (10/23/2008)
it's cute tho.
bill 12:34PM (10/23/2008)
The availability of a 98 hp Smart ties in well with the earlier story about running a Toyota Yaris into a dirt embankment.
Having 98 hp will provide much higher speed potential and the strong possibility of hitting something much harder than would otherwise be possible.
On the other hand the extra power could prove to be a life saver as the driver attempts to avoid being crushed by speeding behemoths bearing down on the vehicle's rear end.
Now if only we could resurrect the sports car based upon the Smart chassis. It was a cool looking car and a hoot to drive.
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CarbonBlack 8:37PM (10/26/2008)
"Now if only we could resurrect the sports car based upon the Smart chassis. It was a cool looking car and a hoot to drive."
Here is the answer--http://sixpacktech.com/2008/04/25/hayabusa-smart-car-a-screamer/
akboss 12:38PM (10/23/2008)
It won't be the fastest car on the block but I bet it would be fun to kick around town in. Its the MSRP that's always been the problem for me, and I'm sure the Brabus model will call for even more $$$.
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ckm 12:39PM (10/23/2008)
The biggest problem with the Smart is not the engine but the transmission. It reminds me of an automatic where 1/2 the fluid is missing and the clutch packs are slipping.
Shift out ................ wait ................ wait some more ............... wait .............. I said wait .............. wait ................ wait ............... shift in.
Doing that in stop/go traffic is a, er, trying.
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jorjon 12:48PM (10/23/2008)
I guess you have never driven with a manual trans before. The way our smar drives is very similar to that of a manual, without the clutch. I just drive ours in manual mode left off the accelerator shif get back on, does just fine. BTW, the European versions do not evan have a Drive (D) mode, just the do-it-yourself type.
ckm 1:30PM (10/23/2008)
@jorjon: That's pretty funny since I don't own an automatic....
The paddle shifters are even worse than leaving it in full auto, actually. It would seem to me that YOU've never driven a manual as there is a world of difference between a Smart with paddles and a manual, never mind something like a DSG. Hell, even a regular auto (like a Honda Fit/Jazz or a Mini) is way better than the crap in the Smart.
Oh, and I'm not the only one who things that, just check out the Smart Roadster reviews from either Top Gear or 5th Gear. I thought those guys were being picky, but, nope, they were spot on, that transmission is crap.
If I was living in a place like Paris, quite frankly, I'd be scared to drive the Smart with that transmission. Now, the Renault 1.6D I recently drove was a different story, at least it had a proper transmission.
jorjon 2:39PM (10/23/2008)
I guess our smart (yes all lower case) is the only one that takes about 1 second to shift from one gear to another, yes longer than that of a traditional auto but not slower than normally shifting a manual. Maybe they changed since the last time you drove a smart, or maybe the US cars are tuned differently. And yes my T-bird and Dakota both have manual tranny.
Level 5 12:40PM (10/23/2008)
I dunno how it's gonna work with a 1.0L 3-cylinder, but in most other cars, turbo = modding fun. I'm sure at least ONE person will be giving it a try.
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rwcmick 1:02PM (10/23/2008)
We'll see if the 98hp turbo makes it here. There is talk that this is an appearance/suspension package. We should find out shortly when reservation holders get a chance to change to the Brabus model. Stay tuned.
rwcmick
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rwcmick 3:43PM (10/23/2008)
I just had a phone call with Ken Kettenbeil, smart USA's communication Director. The only thing that Ken was willing to confirm at this point is that there will be a Brabus version of the fortwo offered to U.S. consumers and that it WILL NOT have the 98HP turbo motor. Why the dearth of information? smart wants to officially announce the car at the LA Auto Show and if they spilled all the details now, there wouldn't be much to talk about come November.
Chris 1:03PM (10/23/2008)
So when the Brabus version comes to the US we only get the cosmetics, seeing how they are not including the turbo modification.
Good to know everyone in this world sees the US as looks over substance.
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Sean Eagen 1:09PM (10/23/2008)
Chris, have you seen how many riced out civics/corollas there there are on the roads here?
Mobius_1 1:15PM (10/23/2008)
What? No V12 with 1000 Nm Torque? lol
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MajorGeek 1:21PM (10/23/2008)
I might trade in my Civic for one of the Smarts, I like it, I don't know why, I just do. Making a sporty version of it should also be wrong. Again, for whatever reason it just works.
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Ben Poese 1:22PM (10/23/2008)
This is what brabus SHOULD create...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lys5Gru-NE
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cwj 1:53PM (10/23/2008)
proportionately large, machined finish wheel havw a way of making anything look more-righter.
such are my fetishes, anyway.
i think i could put up with a 5dr version of one of these in the city. maybe even this one. every time i see one here it works on me a`little more.
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fixitfixitstop 5:25PM (10/23/2008)
Jeebus, man.
Would it kill you to proofread?
Also, there was a Smart ForFour already. It didn't last.
cwj 2:07AM (10/24/2008)
it was two damned letters that I saw after it was too late to hit stop; typed while lying in bed with laptop on floor.
never-the-less, it's a comment section on a blog, not the essay section of the LSAT.
gtfoi.