| New High Performance Version | Frankfurt Motor Show | Brabus Ultimate 112 |
Brabus showed off its slightly ludicrous, £32,000 Smart Fortwo Ultimate 112 in
Frankfurt last week. In eye-catching 'mother-of-pearl/orange' paint and featuring a new front spoiler, rocker panels and Brabus Widestar flared wheelarches, the little city car boasts a boost in power and an interior overhaul making it probably the most extreme Smart to date.
Powering the exclusive city car is a three-cylinder turbocharged petrol unit that produces 110bhp (or 112PS - hence the name) at 5,750rpm and 111lb.ft of torque between 2,800rpm and 4,200rpm. With such performance, the Brabus 112 will shoot from 0-62mph in 9.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 106mph.
Brabus has fitted height-adjustable suspension promising to blend sporty handling with ride comfort, which will take some living up to given the German tuner has also fitted 'ultra' low profile tyres wrapped around new 18-inch glossy black alloys.
The interior is as extrovert as the exterior, with black leather and Alcantara trim coupled with colour-coded orange seams, which also finds its way onto the instrument panel and driving info readouts. Aluminium neatly finishes the auto gearlever and handbrake whilst the pedals are made out of stainless steel with slip-resistant rubber inserts. Brabus is set to offer an F1-inspired paddle-shift transmission alongside the traditional auto 'box.
With only 112 Ultimate Smarts being made, complete with individually numbered plaques, you'll have to be quick to get your hands on the latest €45,900 offering from the legendary tuner... or perhaps not.
Kyle Molyneux - 21 Sep 2007