The relationship between Smart and Brabus is a historical one. German tuners have been involved in building some of the hottest ultracompact cars in the last twenty years, and the future will be no different.
Currently, the Smart has strong connections with China-based Geely as well as Mercedes-Benz, but that hasn’t stopped Brabus from offering an upgraded version of the small electric crossover.
Hot Hatching Accent
The Smart #1 by Brabus has a sharp and sporty look but retains the clean, curved design of the original. The modified model is visually distinguished by small red inserts on the door and bumper profiles, with a red roof spoiler also in the mix.
The bumper has been redesigned with new air intakes, while the 19-inch alloy wheels stand out in the corners. More red is also present in the cabin – to be found in the seat seams and in the dashboard and headrest details. Being a Brabus, there’s no shortage of leather, microfiber and Alcantara spreading through the interior. You’ll also find aluminum pedals on your feet.
Four-wheel drive and extra power
The big news could be something unconfirmed, but rumored according to Chinese media. No technical specifications have been released, but the Brabus-tweaked Smart #1 could pack dual electric motors for an all-wheel-drive setup. Additionally, the powertrain can offer a combined output of up to 434 horsepower (324 kilowatts). Obviously, that would be a major upgrade to the current model, which is already sharp with 268 hp (200 kW) driving only the rear wheels.
Such a power boost with all-wheel drive in something as big as this Smart #1 will no doubt deliver some impressive performance figures. With nothing officially revealed, we’re left pondering just how quickly this hot EV hatch could go. We expect Brabus to also improve the brakes and suspension accordingly, but the flip side to better performance is the reduced range. In the end, we just have to wait until the full information is revealed.
When will that happen? Its debut is scheduled for August 26 at the Chengdu Motor Show in China. It is unclear if and when this model will arrive in Europe or other markets.
All kinds of new vehicle debuts are coming soon. Look Chatting About Cars podcast for more info on what’s happening in the automotive world, including all the action happening for Monterey Car Week.
