Brabus takes Smart Fortwo to ‘a new level’

LOS ANGELES | The new Smart USA Distributor LLC, a subsidiary of Penske Automotive Group Inc., has raised the bar in the world of micro-cars by introducing the new 2009 Smart “Fortwo” Brabus edition.

“Building on the success of the Smart Fortwo in the United States, we are excited to take the Smart brand to a new level by introducing the Brabus model and Brabus accessories to Smart Fortwo enthusiasts,” said Dave Schembri, president of Smart USA.

“This car has always been about personal expression, and as we approach our first anniversary of sales in the United States, Brabus adds a new dimension, extending our brand into new areas of customization and personalization.”

The Smart Fortwo Brabus edition builds on the revolutionary Smart Fortwo design with a model that enhances the vehicle’s performance and styling.

Brabus is world renowned for providing exclusivity on wheels, and the Smart Fortwo Brabus lives up to the expectations by offering exclusive design elements in a sportier package that maintains the Fortwo’s hallmark fuel-efficiency, fun and functionality.

Drivers can choose between two Brabus models that best suit their personal taste and lifestyle - the Smart Fortwo Brabus coupe or Smart Fortwo Brabus cabriolet.

The Smart Fortwo Brabus is the first vehicle offered in the United States from a partnership between Smart and the German tuning specialist Brabus. The Smart Fortwo Brabus will have a limited production run in early 2009.

Building on the existing Smart Fortwo platform, the Smart Brabus has been tailored for enhanced appearance and handling. A sportier exhaust tuning along with a sports chassis and suspension components have been designed to offer a smooth ride and added comfort. The vehicle’s body has also been lowered by 10 millimeters to enhance the appearance and handling of the vehicle.

The Brabus is powered by the same state of the art, compact, three-cylinder gasoline engine as the current Fortwo that has a capacity of 61 cubic inches, producing an output of 70 hp (52 kW). The vehicle’s five-speed automated manual transmission has been tuned for improved shifting, especially in the stop-and-go traffic of urban driving.

The Brabus enhances the Fortwo’s exterior appearance with exclusive design elements that are unique to the brand. The vehicle’s Brabus “Monoblock VII” alloy wheels measure 15 inches in the front and 17 inches in the rear. With one glance at the Smart Fortwo Brabus, onlookers can clearly see the Fortwo has developed a bold and sporty character and is proud to flex its muscles.

A striking double “B” Brabus emblem proudly accentuates the fuel-fill door and the Brabus name is spelled out on the front and rear of the vehicle. The Brabus front skirt reduces the front axle lift force to improve the driving experience and comes equipped with Brabus side skirts that add a sporty appearance to the tridion safety cell.

To accommodate the Brabus sport exhaust system, the rear skirt of the Brabus model has a cutout in the center to accommodate dual chrome-plated tail pipes.

Consumers are able to match their Brabus model to their choice of lifestyle by selecting between the “open air” cabriolet with a fully automatic convertible top or a coupe with a panoramic roof. The vehicle is available in two colors: metallic silver and deep black. The metallic silver comes with a metallic silver tridion safety cell, and the deep black with a deep black tridion safety cell.

To complete the exterior’s aggressive look, the Brabus features halogen projector-beam headlights, side indicators in yellow and exterior mirror trim matching the tridion safety cell.

The Brabus model has sports pedals made of brushed aluminum. The vehicle features stylish velour floor mats embroidered with the Brabus logo to accentuate the overall look and feel of the vehicle. The vehicle also comes standard with heated leather seats, power steering and additional dashboard instruments (all are options on the standard Smart Fortwo).

Each Brabus model comes equipped with the same interior features of the standard Smart Fortwo passion coupe including a single-disc CD/radio that includes two speakers and an auxiliary input jack in the coupe model, or a premium six-disc, MP3-compatible radio with sound system in the cabriolet model, molded storage areas located in the dash, door nets, along with a lockable glove compartment and storage areas beside the steering wheel. It also has a flat-folding passenger seat with backrest adjustment, coin holder (coupe only), dome light and mirror in the passenger sun visor.

Keeping with the benchmark set with the original Smart Fortwo, the Smart Fortwo Brabus is designed with the highest level of safety and technology. Full-size airbags for the driver and passenger, along with head and neck side airbags are standard along with belt tensioners and belt-force limiters, which provide greater protection in case of a frontal-impact collision.

Electronic stability program is a safety feature instrumental in avoiding crashes (according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety), which is why all Smart models come standard with it. The vehicle also features four airbags and many other advanced safety technologies typically found on premium vehicles, including hill-start assist, anti-lock braking system (abs) and a hydraulic dual-circuit brake system. The vehicle also features integral safety seats, drive lock, top tether for child-restraint systems, panic button on the key fob, tire-pressure monitoring system and a tire-repair kit.

Both the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) performed crash tests on the Smart Fortwo. The IIHS gave the Smart Fortwo coupe a “good” (highest possible rating) for frontal offset crash and side crash. NHTSA gave the Smart Fortwo five stars (out of a possible five stars) for side-impact protection. For complete crash test results and to watch a video of the actual crash test, visit www.Smartusa.com. Crash tests were performed on the 2008 Smart Fortwo models.

The Brabus model maintains Smart’s commitment to the environment, with excellent fuel economy and low vehicle emissions. The Smart Fortwo is the most fuel-efficient, nonhybrid vehicle in the United States and fifth overall behind four hybrid models, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 2009 fuel-economy guide. The vehicle achieves an average of 41 miles to the gallon on the highway, according to the 2009 EPA regulations.

The vehicle already exceeds the goal set by Congress for the vehicle fleet and is classified as an Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). It is also certified by the EPA as a “Smartway” vehicle, which indicates good environmental performance, placing it among the greenest vehicles on the market.

The ecology of the Smart Fortwo extends into its component materials and the manufacturing processes used to produce it. Up to 95 percent of the vehicle is recyclable, and the dash material is made from recycled synthetics. In addition, the “Smartville” factory in France, where the vehicle is produced, is one of the most modern and environmentally friendly plants in the world.

To build on Smart USA’s successful and unique reservation program, Smart created a similar, but separate, program to manage the sale of the Brabus model. Current Smart Fortwo reservation holders have the exclusive opportunity to purchase the 2009 Smart Fortwo Brabus with the option to convert their current reservation of a 2009 Smart Fortwo to the Brabus.

The 2009 Smart Fortwo Brabus coupe starts at $17,990, manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP). The Brabus cabriolet starts at $20,990. Prices exclude tax, title, registration, destination charge, options and dealer fees.