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Dean Slavnich test drives the powerful Smart Brabus
A
little over two years ago Smart announced it wanted range-topping models
for its ever expanding family line-up, so DaimlerChrysler’s young
quirky brand eagerly hopped into bed with Brabus.
The Roadster
Brabus: a product of DaimlerChrysler’s matchmaking between
Smart and Brabus |
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The result? A Smart Roadster Brabus that marries finely tuned engineering
from Bottrop with offbeat design. All of a sudden Smart has discovered
a need for speed. The 698cc 3-cylinder engine drives the Roadster Brabus
from standstill to 100 km/h in less than 10 seconds and offers a top speed
of 196 km/h (122 mph).
The re-tuned engine, which boasts a number of new technical features,
has 102 ps (75 kW) which kicks-in at 5,250 rpm and a torque output that
peaks with 130 Nm (95 lb ft) at 4,500 rpm. That, just for the record,
is some 23 per cent more power than the normal Roaster model, and one
feels the power surge the moment the foot hits the pedal.
The wizardry from Benz-mad Brabus engineers ensured that this was always
going to be a Smart on steroids. There’s a newly developed exhaust
turbocharger, which, along with the new charge air cooling system, provides
an extra boost in engine power.
Thanks to the
tuners at Bottrop, the Roadster Brabus speeds up to 100 km/h
from standstill in less than ten seconds |
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As a result, the Brabus Roadster is far happier revving at the higher
end of the tachometer and there’s less lag from the turbo. Already
the effects from Bottrop are being felt.
The new sports suspension is another handy piece of kit, giving the car
some road manners and enhancing the ride at the same time.
Even the semi-automatic paddleshift gearbox, which was one of the weakest
points of the normal Roadster, has been improved. For example, gear changing
in manual mode is a quicker and less jerky experience. With a reinforced
clutch and transmission – specifically for higher torques –
the Roadster Brabus offers a sporting style driving experience.
New technical
features set apart the Roadster Brabus to it’s standard
stablemate, but it’s still not a good idea to put the
car through its paces round corners |
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The engine software has also been modified for the better and ensures
optimum control of the combustion process.
Yet despite the speed and technical features, the Roadster’s shortcomings
remain the same, regardless of Brabus input or not. The Smart is still
not entirely happy in automatic mode and is plagued with badly-timed changes
and even wrongly selected gears.
It’s also still not a good idea to put the Roadster through its
paces on corners as understeer rears its ugly head… again.
The high-quality
all-leather interior comes as standard |
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But apart from those misdemeanours, the Roadster Brabus, which promised
so much, delivers on nearly all fronts. The revised styling, which includes
spoiler, side skirts and sports exhaust, attracted glances and glares
from more onlookers than any other car I have driven this year. The 17inch
wheels are of particular interest. This is Smart doing its very best to
be ‘bling’.
On the engineering side, and thanks to Brabus the Roadster is an improved
Smart that’s fun to drive. The major flaw is this price: the best
part of €23,000 depending on countries, which makes one think whether
this would be such a smart investment, especially when the normal Roadster
offers such good value for money.
The design
of the car attracted many curious glances from passing onlookers,
especially the 17 inch wheels, rear-end treatment and those
twin sports exhausts |
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September 2004
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