2009 Smart Fortwo Brabus on 2040-cars

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Brabus Smart range tuned all the way to 107 hp

Performance is relative. Take these new Smart models tuned by Brabus, for example. They only pack 107 horsepower, which would hardly be enough to reach highway speed in most cars. But in something this small, a seemingly modest output increase is enough to make all the difference. Revealed at the 2016 Beijing Motor Show, the new Brabus versions of the Smart ForTwo, ForTwo Cabrio, and ForFour boast a series of mild performance upgrades. The 898-cc turbocharged three-cylinder engine carries over, but it has been retuned to pull in more air and fuel and produce 20 percent more power and 25 percent more torque; that 107-hp figure represents an 18-horse increase over the 89 hp in the standard version, and the 125 pound-feet of torque a solid improvement over the standard 100. It's also 7 hp and 17 lb-ft more potent than the previous Brabus Smart. The Brabus-fettled ForTwo with the dual-clutch transmission can reach 62 miles per hour in 9.5 seconds versus 11.3 for the stock car. See what we mean about things being relative? Of course, Brabus being Brabus, the tuners didn't just tweak the engine and call it a day. They also increased the suspension's stiffness by 20 percent, fitted a front anti-roll bar, retuned the ESP and steering, mounted new wheels, added a launch-control-like Race Start feature, and installed a new exhaust system. There's a host of cosmetic upgrades available as well. While a little extra power would be a big help on American roads, these high-output Smarts aren't likely to make it here. If the past is a guide, we might get a Brabus-look package at some point. That's too bad, because if you have to drive a city car, these new Smarts seem like the most fun options. Related Video: Top version with 80 kW/109 hp coming in the summer: More power than ever: the new smart BRABUS Beijing/Stuttgart. With 80 kW/109 hp, the new smart BRABUS is among the sportiest vehicles in its segment. Alongside the powerful turbo engine, this is down to the BRABUS Performance sports suspension with specially adapted ESP®, the sports power steering and sporty configuration of the twinamic dual-clutch transmission with Race Start function. The vehicle also comes as standard with a sporty look both inside and out. Available in fortwo, fortwo cabrio and forfour versions, the new smart BRABUS will celebrate its world premiere at the Beijing Automotive Exhibition (25 April to 4 May 2016). The first models will be in European dealers' showrooms from July 2016.

It's been a year, and nothing has changed with Smart ED launch

A full year ago, Smart said that the updated version of the all-electric ED version of the quirky two-seater would not arrive until late 2016 or early 2017. The 2016 release was later rumored to be pushed back, so we thought we'd stop by the Smart booth as the Detroit Auto Show and see what the deal was. The current word on the street is that the late 2016 date is back in play, so we're back to where things were at the last Detroit show. We also learned that the new ED will likely be available in roughly the same markets as the current electric Smart Fortwo. That means that you'll easily be able to get one in California and other plug-in friendly states. You will also be able to order one anywhere that you can get a standard Smart. In other words, steady as she goes. In other possible news, the electric vehicle may get three new colors for the Tridion steel safety shell: Stop Light Red, Titania Grey Matte, and Lava Orange Metallic. These colors will be available on the gas-powered Smarts first, with the Lava Orange already reserved for a special edition. Smart's assistant product manager, Keith Edwards, told AutoblogGreen that was still to be determined if the ED will get the variety of colors available or if it will get a unified look like the green-white of the previous version. Edwards said that the ED will launch in Europe at roughly the same time as it does in the US. This is because all of the EDs are made at the same plant and, since it's done making the previous model, the new ones will be rolling off the line at some point. Either in late 2016 or early 2017. Featured Gallery 2016 Smart Fortwo Cabriolet View 30 Photos Green Detroit Auto Show smart Electric exclusive smart car smart ed

Next-gen Smart lineup growing to three models

Still in the testing phases of the next-generation Smart Fortwo and the new Forfour model, Smart could also be planning a new crossover to reach into a more mainstream vehicle segment. According to Auto Express, soon after the redesigned Fortwo arrives in 2014, the Smart lineup will grow to include the other two models by 2015.
As expected, the renderings of the new Fortwo, Forfour and the unnamed Smart SUV are inspired heavily by recent concepts like the 2011 Forvision Concept and the 2012 Forstars Concept (pictured above). One interesting note is that Auto Express says both the Fortwo and Forfour will offer a removable tablet as a center stack display screen. The report says that while these cars were developed alongside the Renault Twingo, the French automaker will only be using the larger of the two hatchbacks for its new model.
This, reportedly, won't be the only tie up between Daimler and Nissan-Renault, though, as Smart also looks to add a new crossover based on the next-generation Nissan Juke, which could arrive by late 2015.