The Smart Fortwo isn’t exactly a performance car, but Smart hopes to change that by bringing in German tuner Brabus. The company is known for tuning Mercedes-Benz models, but now it’s applying its talents to the somewhat more humble Smart cars.
In Europe, Smart will offer Brabus versions of the two-door Fortwo coupe and convertible, as well as the four-door Forfour. All three cars use a tuned version of the standard Smart 0.9-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 109 horsepower and 125 pound-feet of torque. That’s up from 89 hp and 100 lb-ft in non-Brabus cars.
Despite the extra power, the Smart Brabus models won’t set the world on fire with their performance. Smart says the Brabus Fortwo coupe and convertible will do 0 to 62 mph in a respectable, but not remarkable, 9.5 seconds, and a reach a top speed of 102 mph. The heavier Forfour takes 10.5 seconds to reach 62 mph, but has the advantage in top speed, being able to reach 111 mph.
Read more: Hit 217 mph with the top down in Brabus’ 850 6.0 Biturbo Cabrio
The Brabus models also get sportier suspension and special tuning for the stability control and power steering. They are visually distinguished from less-sporty Smarts by model-specific alloy wheels, chrome exhaust tips, and a trim piece meant to look like a rear diffuser. Smart also offers a Brabus Xclusive equipment package that adds sport seats, a Brabus-specific instrument pod that incorporates a clock and tachometer, and lots of Brabus badging.
All three Smart Brabus models are available to order in Europe now, but it’s unclear whether they will come to the U.S. If Smart does decide to import them, we’d only get the Fortwo coupe and convertible, as the Forfour model isn’t sold here in any form. The Fortwo coupe is the only version of the current-generation Smart available in the U.S. right now, with the convertible set to join it this fall.
The U.S. probably won’t miss out on the next Smart variant, though. It’s a new version of the Fortwo Electric Drive, which is set to debut this fall at the 2016 Paris Motor Show. This greener Smart car will likely go on sale in the U.S. next year.
