We’re done with the previews for the smart #1 in Premium form, and it’s open for booking, but there’s more pre-launch activity before the EV reaches showrooms and the driveways of affluent owners. smart Malaysia can also be introducing the Brabus version of the #1 (pronounced hashtag one), and the high-performance EV is currently being previewed on the International Electric Mobility Showcase (IEMS) event on the KL Convention Centre.
Let’s jump right into the performance section, which is the largest differentiator. The smart #1 Brabus isn’t just a elaborate bodykitted version, but a correct performance flagship of the range. In comparison with the regular #1, the Brabus adds an electrical motor on the front for dual-motor AWD performance. Total output is 428 PS (315 kW) and 543 Nm of fast torque, pushing the crossover from rest to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds. Top speed is 180 km/h.
That’s a major jump from the single-motor #1’s 272 PS (200 kW) and 343 Nm – to be exact, the difference is 156 PS and 200 Nm. The Pro/Premium does the century sprint in 6.7 seconds (Brabus is 2.8 seconds faster) with an identical top speed. The Brabus suggestions the scales at 1,900 kg, 100 kilos greater than the Premium.
Want some sound to associate with the speed? Pick from ‘smart original sounds’ – sampled from the previous ICE-powered smart Brabus – or a ‘classic’ analog sound inspired by an ‘amazingly powerful V6 engine’.
The Brabus’ motors are powered by a 66 kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery and WLTP-rated range is 400 km. This is identical power source because the Premium, which has 40 km of additional range (the bottom Pro uses a 49 kWh lithium LFP battery for 315 km range). Also just like the Premium, 22 kW AC charging is out there, which makes refilling SOC from 10-80% a comparatively brisk affair at three hours.
As identified before, 22 kW AC charging is pretty rare within the EV market, where 11 kW is the default charging rate. In Malaysia, only the ’55 quattro’ variants of Audi’s e-tron models and the Porsche Taycan support 22 kW AC charging, while a number of the cheaper EVs soak up just 7 kW.
22 kW AC is a singular selling point – imagine have an extended lunch break or rest time at home and whenever you’re done, the #1 is replenished, all without paying DC rates. It gives an owner added flexibility. On that note, DC fast charging at 150 kW juices the battery from 10-80% SOC in 29 minutes. Vehicle-to-load (V2L) charging can also be available.
To recap, the smart #1 is a huge hatchback that’s moderately similar in concept to the MINI Countryman – this ain’t no compact city automotive like the unique smart. At 4,270 mm long and 1,822 mm wide, the #1 also has an identical footprint to the maxi MINI, but its 2,750 mm wheelbase may be very long for ICE automotive standards, 80 mm longer than the Countryman’s and 15 mm longer than the wheelbase of a Honda Civic.
That long wheelbase is clear within the metal, as are the #1’s width and moderately unSUV-like ground clearance. At 182 mm, the GC is car-like. Boot space is as much as 411 litres, expandable to 986 litres with rear seats folded. There’s slightly ‘frunk’ in front that takes in 15 litres – the cavity is small, but is perhaps useful for small items that you just don’t want sliding around within the boot, or pungent food.
In front, the Brabus’ status because the sporty one is marked by letterbox vents either side of the smart logo (they’re just decorative), two small horizontal slats on the ‘side intakes’ and a red lip with the Brabus logo. The insides of the lower grille is in red. There’s more red on the piece of trim between the wheels, that are 19-inch ‘Dynamo’ two-tone items (235/45 tyres, same size) shielding red brake calipers.
By the way in which, the brakes only differ in color and the suspension isn’t any lower – the one chassis difference is stiffer dampers for the Brabus.
The rear bumper has the very same cues as its front counterpart – a red strip, two small black lines and a small Brabus logo. A more distinguished rear spoiler completes the outside differences. It’s obviously more sporty than the Premium, but very subtle nonetheless, and there are not any B logos anywhere on the body or wheels.
Anyway, the Atom Grey-Matte color you see here isn’t exclusive to the Brabus, however the Radiant Red contrasting roof option is. The opposite colors that include the red roof are Meta Black and Cyber Silver. A black roof contrasts Digital White, Laser Red and Cyber Silver. This matte grey is the one hue that will be had because it is, monotone with no different roof color.
Inside, the black-red theme continues and we finally get to see the massive B from Bottrop on the front headrests. Apart from this, Brabus is spelled on the steering spoke – it’s cool that the name is illuminated.
The gloss white dash-cum-centre console is now in a gunmetal hue, and stitching on the dash, doors, steering and seats at the moment are in red. The ‘sporty’ color can also be on the seatbelts and plastic ‘ears’ of the headrests. Finally, the headlining is black, the seats are in suede (normal leather sides) and also you get sports pedals (metal).
Apart from the Brabus-specific trim mentioned above, we’re all of the equipment from the Premium. Headlining goodies include a thumping Beats 13-speaker sound system, a 12.8-inch centre touchscreen where you control the whole lot, a slim 9.2-inch meter cluster, a 10-inch full color head-up display, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, wireless charger and built-in navigation with local info comparable to charging locations.
Also standard are comfort features like ventilated front seats, 10-way powered front seats (memory for driver), driver’s courtesy seat (slides back for easier exit), dual-zone auto aircon with rear vents and N95 carbon filter, moonroof with powered blind, 64-colour ambient lighting and illuminated door sills.
On the skin, the #1 Brabus comes with Matrix LED headlamps with adaptive high beam; front/rear sequential turn signals; illumination for the front grille, flush door handles and rear pillar logo; welcome and courtesy lights; roof rails; auto-foldable and auto-dipping (when reversing) wing mirrors; auto-dimming and heated wing mirrors; and a powered tailgate. There’s also a light-weight show with accompanying music from the Beats audio.
Last but not least, safety. All the things you’d expect to see in a contemporary premium automotive is here – ESC, hill hold assist, hill descent control, seven airbags and a comprehensive ADAS suite that features ACC, AEB, front/rear collision mitigation support, lane keep assist, lane departure warning/prevention, front/rear cross traffic alert, blind spot monitoring, door opening warning and automatic lane change assist. There’s also full autonomous parking and a ‘Hello smart’ app will help with vehicle status monitoring, location and tracking.
That’s just about it, and what’s left is the all-important price. smart Malaysia is yet to release finalised RRPs for the #1 range, but has revealed an estimated price range of between RM200,000 and RM250,000, on-the-road without insurance. That will place the entry-level Pro at RM200k and this range-topping Brabus at around RM250k, with the Premium in between.
Appears like loads of performance and kit for RM250k – what do you think that? Full gallery and walk-around video of the Premium variant below for you to check.
GALLERY: 2024 smart #1 Brabus in Malaysia
GALLERY: 2024 smart #1 Premium in Malaysia
GALLERY: 2024 smart #1 Brabus Malaysian brochure
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This Article First Appeared At paultan.org
