By: IOL Motoring Staff
Johannesburg - When Brabus waves its tuning wand over any standard car, you get more than just a power upgrade. You get a whole lot more attitude as well. And that certainly seems to be the case with the new Smart Brabus models, announced this week for release in South Africa in December 2016.
These are not only the most powerful standard Smarts yet offered to the public, with their 898cc turbopetrol three tweaked to deliver 80kW at 5750 revs and 170Nm at 2000rpm.
Their dual-clutch transmission has also been uprated with 40 percent quicker response times, shorter ratios for hotter acceleration and a new a Race Start function. The power steering has been recalibrated, suspension rates are 20 percent firmer, backed by a nine percent stiffer front anti-roll bar, and the electronic stability programme has been remapped to suit.
That's good enough to take the Smart Brabus Fortwo from 0-100km/h in 9.5 seconds, and push the Smart Brabus Forfour up to 180km/h.
Get the look
The Smart Brabus Fortwo runs 16 inch front and 17 inch rear rims in contrasting gloss and matt grey, shod with 185/50 front and 205/40 rear Yokohama sports tyres, while the ForFour has 17 inchers all round, shod with 185/45 front and 205/40 Yokohamas.
A number of (usually optional) features are standard on Smart Brabus models, including a lockable glove compartment, premium audio, parking sensors and panoramic glass roof.
But wait - there's more: the special-equipment Xclusive package also gets you heated Brabus sports seats in perforated black nappa leather with grey top-stitching, special dashboard trim in mixed leather look and black fabric, Brabus floor mats, special badging and, on the ForFour models, 'readyspace' rear seats with a removable cargo box.
Prices
Smart Brabus Fortwo - R308 200
Smart Brabus Fortwo Xclusive - R360 000
Smart Brabus Forfour - R313 300
Smart Brabus Forfour Xclusive - R365 100
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