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Brabus Utimate E brings unlikely machismo to the Smart EQ cabrio

German tuner Brabus typically works its horsepower-enhancing magic and visual, ah, ministrations on already-muscular machines such as the Mercedes-Benz G-wagen and the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-door. But Brabus also has put its special touch on other Daimler models, up to and including the Smart Fortwo. The latest Smart to get the Brabus touch is the newly updated 2020 Smart EQ ForTwo Cabrio, which becomes the Brabus Ultimate E. If you're thinking 800 horsepower, like in the Brabus versions of those other two models, think again. The Ultimate E has 92 horses in its corral, but that's better than the 80 horsepower in the regular version. Naturally, with 92 horsepower, the two-seat city car can't quite match the sub-3-second 0-to-62-mph time of the Brabus 800 (although that would be fun). Instead, how about a sub-11-second time? The Ultimate E reaches 62 mph in 10.9 seconds, which beats the standard car's 11.9-second run. The Brabus-tuned electric motor also spins out 133 lb-ft of torque, an increase of 15 lb-ft over the standard version. Brabus claims a range of 78 miles. Characteristically, the Brabus treatment extends beyond the mechanicals. The Ultimate E presents a more pugnacious face to the world with its redesigned front bumper treatment with a honeycomb mesh pattern and red lower splitter. The restyled rear bumper incorporates a diffusers look, again with red accents, and there is a red lower skirt along the bodyside. Wider bodywork allows for 18-inch wheels with ultra-low-profile 205/35 front and 235/30 rear tires, and Brabus has retuned the suspension accordingly. Open the door and you're greeted with "Brabus" illuminated door sills, and more badging on the seatbacks, floor mats, and shifter. The seat feature red contrast stitching in a honeycomb pattern and red accents appear elsewhere in the cabin. This mean, green electric machine is destined to stay in Europe, as Smart has given up on the U.S. market. Maybe a Brabus-ized ForTwo could have turned things around, although Americans seem more likely to embrace the 800-hp Brabus G-wagen. Related Video:    

Mercedes won't build subcompact, Smart may

Mercedes-Benz has been profiting mightily from compact cars recently. Its Kecskemét, Hungary, factory added a third shift to keep up with demand, and company's US arm called the CLA-Class, its "best launch in 20 years." However, Daimler boss Dieter Zetsche says the Mercedes brand won't be getting any smaller, subcompact models; they will be reserved for the Smart brand.
Last year, Mercedes was rumored to be working on a X-Class subcompact model to sit between Smart's vehicles and the A-Class. The new vehicles would have been positioned against cars like the Audi A1. However, Zetsche told Automotive News Europe that those plans were seriously debated but finally nixed. The segment was decided to be too difficult to reach profitability in, and the competition too tight.
Instead, he said to ANE: "There is a possibility that Smart could expand into the subcompact segment, but we have not decided that yet." The brand launches the new Fortwo and Forfour later this year, but they don't quite carry the premium cachet that a Mercedes product does.

Smart offers $75 lease deal to Car2go users in San Diego

If you've been saving money by sharing a car instead of buying your own, then maybe you have enough left over to go lease one. Because if there's anything that sharing a car should teach you, it's to want your own, right? We're confused, too. Whatever the reasoning, Car2go users in San Diego are being offered an unusual – but darn affordable – deal on a new Smart ForTwo lease: just $75 a month for the Pure model (with $1,493 due at signing, plus government fees and taxes). To put that into Car2go carsharing terms, that's as much as it would cost to share the car for about 182 minutes (or for five hours at the $14.99 hourly max, if you're renting the car that way). The deal is only good for Car2go San Diego members and their family and friends at Smart Center San Diego until January 2, 2015. If you want the Passion model, it'll cost you $99 a month (plus the aforementioned $1,493 at signing). Smart sales a doing okay in the US this year. Through November 2014, Smart has sold 9,480 ForTwos in the US. That's up 13 percent from the 8,409 sold through November 2013. If you'd like to add to the total, and meet the qualifications, we've got the fine print disclosures below, including details on the 10,000 miles a year limit and a $395 turn-in fee. *Disclosure for pure model: Available only to qualified customers through Mercedes-Benz Financial services at only smart center San Diego only through 1/2/2015. On approved above average credit. Advertised lease payment based on MSRP of $14,370. All advertise prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document processing charge, any electronic filing charge, and any emission testing charge. Cash Due at signing Includes $295 acquisition fee, first month's lease payment of $75, total due at signing $1,493 plus government fees and taxes. No security deposit required. Total payments equal $4,448. AT lease end, lessee pays for any amounts due under the lease, any official fees, and taxes related to the scheduled termination, excess wear and use plus 0.25/mile over 30,000 total miles, and a $395 turn-in fee. Purchase option at lease end for $8,478 plus taxes (and any other fees and charges due under the applicable lease agreement) in example shown. Specific vehicles are subject to availability and may have to be ordered. See dealer for details.