Pint Size Play Toy: Brabus Smart Car

Geschrieben von: Mike Musto am 25.11.08 » Partner- und Mitglieder-Blogs - blog.cardomain.com

By Mike Musto AKA Mr. Angry Automobiles, like people, come in all shapes and sizes. We have big ones, little ones, fat ones and skinny ones, and they all have a certain appeal to them. This weekend I found myself driving around in a car that I never thought would fit someone who's 6'4" and 235 pounds. It was a Smart ForTwo diesel that was all tweaked up by Brabus, the crazy German tuner that takes mild-mannered Mercedes and turns them into super cars. When I first got a glimpse of this...

By Mike Musto

AKA Mr. Angry

Automobiles, like people, come in all shapes and sizes. We have big ones, little ones, fat ones and skinny ones, and they all have a certain appeal to them. This weekend I found myself driving around in a car that I never thought would fit someone who's 6'4" and 235 pounds. It was a Smart ForTwo diesel that was all tweaked up by Brabus, the crazy German tuner that takes mild-mannered Mercedes and turns them into super cars. When I first got a glimpse of this thing I was really was stunned at how small it is. I mean, it's SMALL. However, looks can be deceiving, very deceiving.

The Smart is basically an egg on wheels. Interior room is actually quite impressive as I fit in there with no problems. The cockpit is laid out to provide you with everything you need and nothing you don't. A big speedo with integrated fuel and temperature gauge are right in front of you, while a tachometer and clock are positioned in the middle of the dash in separate external gauge pods. The Smart also comes with a basic stereo, climate control and power windows. Again, simplicity at its finest. Seats are four-way adjustable and really don't offer any support. Anything more than a 40 mile trip means you'll be hurting.

Continue reading after the jump.

Brabus Smart

Now what makes this Smart different from other Smart Cars running around the U.S.A. is its power plant. This is a European model, which means it is powered by a small 3-cylinder Mercedes diesel. They key to this car is not speed, but mileage. Or so I thought. Smart says this thing will get a combined hwy/city of 56 mpg, and it might just do that if you can keep your foot out of the throttle. You see, this car is slow. REALLY slow. 0-60 takes around 20 sec. and the top speed is 87 mph. The little 3-cylinder lump only churns out 40 hp, which is just not enough to cruise on American roadways. For simple city driving the Smart is barely adequate as there is no scooting in and out of traffic.

Yes, the Smart is small, and yes you can park it anywhere, but driving through the streets of Manhattan I found myself constantly wishing for more power. Driving on the Long Island Expressway was another story entirely. Speeds on the LIE average between 75-80 mph. Maintaining these speeds in the Smart means you are never going to take your foot off the floor. Cruising at this speed is also a bit unnerving as the Smart does not welcome speeds in excess of 70 mph. The short wheelbase and ultra tiny wheels and tires mean you feel every bump in the road. Combine that with scary emergency handling and you have the makings of a none-to-happy scene if something goes array. I averaged a combined mileage of around 41 mpg in the Smart. Yes, it's good, but you have to realize that the fuel capacity is only 5.8 gallons, which means you're filling up every 210 miles or so.

The Smart's transmission is another story entirely... simply put, it stinks.

So, does the Smart have any redeeming qualities? Well, actually yes, it does. It's cool. Driving the Smart through NYC was nothing short of fun. People stopped, took pictures and asked questions constantly about the little Smart, and it was a true celebrity among the rolling wounded that usually litter the streets of the city. Also, you really can park this thing anywhere. I mean really, this little bugger fits in some really tiny spots. In fact, I found myself driving around looking for small spots just to see if I'd actually fit in them. It was kinda fun. Does all this mean that I would actually go out and buy a Smart Car? Well... no. When equipped from the dealer you're talking around 15k for this thing and that's right in the heart of Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris country, which are both better cars on every level.

The Smart definitely does have a certain appeal, it's small, a bit quirky and actually a pretty fun little ride if you live in a metropolitan area. Just make sure though that if you want one, you test drive it. If you can get over it's quirkiness, you may just fall in love with the little bugger.

Brabus Smart