2008 Smart Fortwo Brabus: 97Hp Versions Go On Sale

Following the 2008 Fortwo Brabus' Geneva Show premier back in March, Smart announced the European launch of it's pimped Fortwo which will be available in two body types -Coupe and Cabrio, both of which will be offered in two trims, the basic Brabus and the Brabus Exclusive. The later boasts additional standard equipment like a front spoiler with enlarged air inlets, a special rear apron and heated, leather sport seats.

Equipped with a turbocharged one litre three-cylinder engine developing 72 kW/98 bhp / 97 Hp at 5500 rpm, the Fortwo Brabus sprints from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 9.9 sec and reaches an electronically limited top speed of 155 km/h. Prices in Germany range from –hand onto something, € 16,490 to € 22,430 which translates to $22,500 to 30,600... -Press release and high-res pics after the jump

New smart fortwo BRABUS and BRABUS Xclusive: 30 percent more power than before with fuel consumption of just 5.2 litres

A combination of sportiness and exclusiveness: The BRABUS models of the new smart fortwo are ready to hit the road. With a reengineered 72 kW/98 bhp three cylinder turbo engine the smart fortwo BRABUS and the smart fortwo BRABUS Xclusive continue to boast low fuel consumption of just 5.2 litres per 100 kilometres, yet they have 30 percent more power than the predecessor model. CO₂ emissions stand at 124 grams per kilometre. The sporty two-seater accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 9.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 155 km/h. Prices in Germany range from € 16,490 to € 22,430 (ex factory) depending on the equipment line and body type.

The sporty character of the new smart fortwo BRABUS is apparent at first glance. For example, it comes with bright-finish "Monoblock VI" alloy wheels with wide tyres measuring 175/50 R 16 at the front and 225/35 R 17 at the rear, wider rear wheel arches, a sports exhaust system with centrally positioned dual tailpipes in the specially styled rear apron and a body lowered by ten millimetres. The transmission and suspension also have a sporty setup. In the interior, cockpit instruments with specially designed dials, BRABUS stainless steel sports pedals and a new BRABUS leather steering wheel with shift paddles underline the exclusiveness of this model. The panoramic roof with sun blind is a standard feature. The new smart fortwo BRABUS is available in all colors.

The smart fortwo BRABUS Xclusive lives up to its name with additional equipment details such as H7 projection headlamps with titanium coloured surrounds, a front spoiler with enlarged air inlets, striking side skirts and a special rear apron. All body styling parts are painted in the car's exterior colour. The seats are upholstered with fine leather, heated, and feature head/thorax side airbags as standard. The leather-effect instrument panel boasts aluminium-look trim components.

Both BRABUS model variants of the new smart fortwo are available as a coupé or a cabrio.

Three cylinder engine with turbo power: 72 kW/98 bhp and 140 Newton metres of torque

At the heart of the new smart fortwo BRABUS is a turbo engine with electronically controlled fuel injection that has been improved in numerous details. From capacity of one litre the three-cylinder engine now develops 72 kW/98 bhp at 5500 rpm and lends the 780 kilogram two-door car remarkable agility. The weight/power ratio is just 7.95 kg/bhp - 24 percent lower than that of the previous BRABUS version.

The turbo in-line engine develops maximum torque of 140 Newton metres at 3500 rpm. The new smart fortwo BRABUS sprints from zero to 100 km/h in 9.9 seconds and reaches an electronically limited top speed of 155 km/h.

With combined fuel consumption of just 5.2 litres per 100 kilometres the two-seater is one of the most economical cars in its size and power category. Carbon dioxide emissions stand at 124 grams per kilometre.

The prices in Germany (ex factory) of the new BRABUS models at a glance:

smart fortwo BRABUS smart fortwo BRABUS Xclusive

Coupé € 16,490 € 19,490

Cabrio € 19,430 € 22,430