smart roadster and coupe BRABUS - In Detail

Press Release

Powerful and elegant additions to the smart model range

The new, high-calibre BRABUS versions of the smart roadster and smart roadster-coupe are to be unveiled to the public in an exclusive world premiere. Shortly after the official launch of the two compact sports cars at the Geneva Motor Show, a select posse of motoring journalists will have an opportunity to put the smart roadster BRABUS and smart roadster-coupe BRABUS to the test at a presentation and test drive event on the C'te d'Azur. The two BRABUS variants of the smart roadster will be able to show what they are made of on the trail of the Monte Carlo Rally, on the stretches of the "Corniches" - the legendary coastal roads extolled by racing car enthusiasts throughout the world, which wind their way into the foothills of the Maritime Alps between Nice and Monaco - and on the serpentine roads of the hinterland. In a legendary setting which has provided the backdrop for hundreds of films, the smart roadster BRABUS and smart roadster-coupe BRABUS boast a whole range of impressive features which assure them of a starring role. The demanding course is world-renowned. The coastal stretches along the Ca´te d'Azur - the legendary "Corniches" - between the glamorous city of Nice, historical towns such as Eze and chic Monte Carlo guarantee fun driving, a spectacular panorama and stopping points which are steeped in history. Picturesque as the route may be, the ever busy roads call for extremely fast responses with an emphasis on safety - on the part of driver and car alike. By way of contrast, the roads which wind their way through the hinterland impose the very highest requirements in terms of engine power and braking deceleration and will really put the chassis and suspension of the smart roadster BRABUS and roadster-coupe BRABUS to the test. This ambitious course has been carefully chosen, however: These roads, which are a real mecca for sports car enthusiasts, provide an ideal setting in which to demonstrate just what makes the smart roadster BRABUS and smart roadster-coupw BRABUS the current apex of sports car design at smart. A classy powerhouse:
Revamped engine offers impressive performance
The compact smart roadster BRABUS and smart roadster-coupe BRABUS sports cars are ideally equipped for this unusual presentation and test drive, boasting a whole range of exceptional technical features. The power output of the engines in these two BRABUS variants has been increased in comparison to the smart roadster from 60 kW (82 bhp) to 74 kW (101 bhp). This increase of more than 20 per cent on the same basic engine is remarkable. The hefty boost in power has been achieved via a thorough modification of the turbocharger, a newly designed air cooling system and an adapted clutch and engine management system. The two BRABUS variants more than live up to the sport performance which their power/weight ratio of 11.2 kilogrammes per kilowatt (8.2 kg per bhp) promises. The maximum speed of the smart roadster BRABUS stands at 190 km/h, while the smart roadster-coupw BRABUS attains a princely 195 km/h. Torque of 130 Nm is maintained over an engine speed from 2,500 to 5,300 rpm. This ensures that the car makes safe headway in all situations, particularly when overtaking on short stretches. smart-BRABUS GmbH has also developed a new sporty exhaust system and a stainless steel sports muffler which lends the smart roadster BRABUS and the roadster-coupw BRABUS a striking sound while at the same time reducing the exhaust gas backpressure to the benefit of the power output. The impressive power output of these two smart models and their particularly sporty performance do not come at the cost of high fuel consumption. The smart roadster BRABUS and roadster-coupe BRABUS run on only 5.2 litres of Super Plus to 100 kilometres in the combined New European Driving Cycle, almost on a par with the low level of the 60 kW variants.

Sportiness and dynamic performance

The smart roadster BRABUS provides discerning drivers with ample demonstration that compact dimensions do not compromise sportiness or dynamic performance in the least. The sports suspension which comes as standard tangibly increases driving pleasure. The clutch has additionally been modified and adapted to the increased engine power on the two BRABUS variants. It copes with high levels of strain without a murmur. As you like it:
Accessories for all styles and tastes
The standard features of the smart roadster BRABUS and smart roadster-coupe BRABUS include sports suspension and 17" alloy wheels, softouch automatic transmission, heated black leather sports seats and a three-spoke leather sports steering wheel with integrated gearshift. These are features destined to make these compact 'sports personalities' a haven of pure, unadulterated pleasure. Various accessories are available for further refinement of the smart roadster BRABUS and roadster-coupe BRABUS. The characteristic BRABUS features include the radiator grille, side skirts, front and rear spoiler in the colour of the car concerned, for example. The two BRABUS models cars are available exclusively in the colours jack black and speed silver metallic. A sports exhaust comes as standard. The interior of the BRABUS line is predominated by a combination of aluminium and leather. Comprehensive optional packages expand the scope for individual configurations, including a rain and light sensor (lights-on function). The range of interior storage facilities has been expanded.

Integrated safety concept:
Tridion safety cell, esp as standard and much more besides
Like all models of the smart brand, the BRABUS versions also feature the electronic stability programme (esp) as standard. esp makes a crucial contribution to active safety and ride comfort. It ensures that the vehicles always follow the direction in which the driver steers, even at the stability limit of driving dynamics. In addition to closing the throttle valve and opening the clutch, esp also offers brake intervention acting on individual wheels. This ensures directional stability and road adhesion when accelerating, braking and coasting. Within the given physical limits, esp ensures that during fast cornering cars neither push outwards with the rear end (oversteering) nor push over the front axle (understeering). In the event of oversteering, esp specifically brakes the front wheel on the outside of the curve - regardless of whether the driver is braking, rolling or accelerating. The braking torque applied against the rolling direction around the vertical axis of the car prevents the rear end from breaking away. esp balances understeering by braking the rear wheel on the inside of the curve; this steers the car to the desired course in the curve. The electronics also cause the throttle valve to close. If the drive wheels lose traction, the drive torque is reduced and the brake system applies force to the wheel with the most traction slip. In this way esp realises the function of a differential lock by means of braking torque intervention which enables traction even on extremely slippery terrain, when there is different coefficient of friction on the right and left drive wheels, and on hills. This greatly improves the car's hill-climbing ability. The hydraulic brake assist function makes a further crucial contribution to driving safety. It automatically initiates controlled emergency braking when the driver steps on the pedal very fast, but not hard enough. The system automatically generates locking pressure in order to induce the integrated abs to regulate. The control variable for this purpose is the speed at which the driver steps on the brake pedal. The ability of esp to act on individual wheel brakes creates the basis for a further safety function of abs: cornering brake control. During extreme cornering, the strain on the wheel which is located on the inside during cornering is reduced and the cornering brake control function ensures that this wheel does not block. If the driver steps on the brake in such a situation esp senses that more braking power can be transferred from the other wheels than from the wheel with a reduced load. In this way, unnecessary activation of the abs control function and the attendant pulsation of the pedal are avoided. To make starting on a hill as comfortable as in cars with automatic transmission and a torque converter, the smart fortwo coupe, fortwo cabrio, smart roadster and roadster-coupe are provided with hill start assist. After releasing the brake pedal when stationary, hill start assist keeps the wheels braked for 0.7 seconds. This leaves the driver enough time to move his or her foot from the brake to the accelerator pedal without the car rolling forwards or backwards on account of the disengaged clutch. If the driver accelerates, the brake pressure is immediately reduced. The fact that the car is prevented from rolling backwards additionally protects the clutch and makes it possible to drive off without the assistance of the hand brake, even on steep slopes. However, if the driver prefers to drive off in the conventional way with the help of the hand brake, the switch on the hand brake deactivates the anti-stall assist. The smart roadster and smart roadster-coupe model range:
smart aiming to top the sales figures for 2003
The presentation and test drive for the smart roadster BRABUS and smart roadster-coupe BRABUS against the breath-taking backdrop of the Maritime Alps marks a new milestone in sports car production at smart. With this model line, smart aims to continue the success story of the two standard variants which have been available since last April: In 2003, the year of their market launch, the smart roadster and roadster-coupe attained sales totalling 20,100 units. smart's CEO Andreas Renschler sees good prospects of "clearly topping last yea's sales in 2004" on the back of the impetus provided by the BRABUS variants. A joint venture was established between smart gmbh and BRABUS GmbH in March 2002. Both parent companies have a 50 per cent stake in smart-BRABUS GmbH, which is headquartered in Bottrop. The object of the joint venture is to develop series-produced BRABUS equipment lines for all smart brand models, limited special models and editions and BRABUS accessories for the standard smart models. Prices in Germany (incl. value-added tax):
smart roadster BRABUS: EUR 24,950
smart roadster-coupe BRABUS: EUR 26,570