Inside Line tests hundreds of vehicles a year, but not every vehicle gets a full write-up. The numbers still tell a story, though, so we present "IL Track Tested." It's a quick rundown of all the data we collected at the track, along with comments direct from the test drivers. Enjoy.
The Smart Fortwo isn't a performance vehicle no matter how you cut it. It's all about convenience and efficiency. Performance is an afterthought, sort of like the transmission.
But there are some people, we'll call them dreamers, who like the idea of a spruced-up Smart Fortwo. For them, there's the Fortwo Brabus, a mildly tuned factory special that at least gives the impression that this Smart can handle itself around a corner.
To that end, the Brabus-tuned Smart gets a retuned exhaust, revised suspension, a few aerodynamic enhancements, and larger wheels and tires. There are some interior enhancements and special colors, too, but for the purposes of this experiment we'll consider that icing on the cake. Or the most useful upgrades depending on your perspective.
It all adds up to a most unusual Smart. But is it any more of a performance vehicle than the standard model? We took it to the track to find out. See the results and a video after the jump.
Vehicle: 2008 Smart Fortwo Brabus
Odometer: 1,708
Date: 7/28/2009
Driver: Josh Jacquot
Price: N/A
Specifications:
Drive Type: Rear-wheel drive
Transmission Type: Semiautomatic 5-speed
Engine Type: Inline-3
Displacement (cc/cu-in): 996cc (61 cu-in)
Redline (rpm): 6,600
Horsepower (hp @ rpm): 70 @ 5,500
Torque (lb-ft @ rpm): 68 @ 3,500
Brake Type (front): Ventilated disc
Brake Type (rear): Drum
Steering System: Rack and pinion
Suspension Type (front): MacPherson strut
Suspension Type (rear): Solid axle
Tire Size (front): 175/55R15 77T
Tire Size (rear): 215/35R17 79H
Tire Brand: Hankook
Tire Model: VentusV4 ES
Tire Type: Summer
Wheel Size: 15-by-4.5 inches front, 17-by-5.5 inches rear
Wheel Material (front/rear): Alloy
As tested Curb Weight (lb): 1,908
Test Results:
0-30 (sec): 5.0
0-45 (sec): 8.2
0-60 (sec): 14.3
0-75 (sec): 22.9
1/4 Mile (sec @ mph): 19.6 @ 69.7
0-60 with 1-ft Rollout (sec): 13.9
30-0 (ft): 31
60-0 (ft): 122
Braking Rating: Good
Slalom (mph): 57.9
Skid Pad Lateral Acceleration (g): 0.74
Handling Rating: Weird (normal ratings just don't apply)
Db @ Idle: 51.8
Db @ Full Throttle: 81.3
Db @ 70-mph Cruise: 75.1
Acceleration Comments: Best acceleration numbers came with a simple off-brake/on-gas procedure. Brake torque hurts acceleration and this turd doesn't need anything else hampering its acceleration.
Braking Comments: Surprising brake dive given well-balanced appearance. Some fade evident by stops number 4 and 5.
Handling Comments: Skid pad: Ultra-conservative stability control means there's no real "driving" to do around the skid pad. Just hold your right foot down and steer. Electronics do the rest. Slalom: Stability control avoids oversteer at all costs, which means it will create severe understeer at 65 mph which also isn't fun. But one thing is for sure; it won't roll.
lenoroc says:
08:35 PM, 08/11/09
Who would waste their money on this?!
fuhteng says:
08:42 PM, 08/11/09
I think the term is "idiots".
gearcat says:
10:25 PM, 08/11/09
Should paint it metallic brown to go with the "turd" motif.
4g63 says:
10:25 PM, 08/11/09
it needs a turbo. badly.
4g63 says:
10:26 PM, 08/11/09
it needs a turbo. badly.
etanretla says:
10:40 PM, 08/11/09
yoda: smart not so...hmmm
frazier500 says:
11:17 PM, 08/11/09
Everyone can whine all they want about the neutering of the car via electronic stability control, but if thats what Smart has to do stay alive than so be it.
You people would be just as quick to criticize Smart if they allowed you to flop the car on its side.
tryan says:
03:09 AM, 08/12/09
My personal fav quote:
"..a mildly tuned factory special that at least gives the impression that this Smart can handle itself around a corner."
Oh, so true.
Not-so-scintilating performance from such a respected aftermarket tuning house like Brabus...all in all, a bit disappointing for the asking price.
They should have tapped the genius who shoehorned a Hayabusa engine into his Smart...
mikedm3 says:
05:36 AM, 08/12/09
It needs a better (manual) transmission and a hayabusa engine. HA!
thammer62 says:
05:39 AM, 08/12/09
1900 lbs yet no acceleration for emergency situations. I look forward to the first emailed powerpoint pres. of a smart that was Tboned by an Expedition. Just pieces everywhere - no sign of a car or human.
brn says:
05:58 AM, 08/12/09
There's nothing wrong with a 0-60 of 8.2 seconds. That's plenty quick, but far from high performance.
Same goes for braking. 122 feet is pretty good, but when you're stopping less than a ton, I almost expect better.
f1mb says:
05:59 AM, 08/12/09
I the "idiot" would buy it! I live in Washington DC and it would be a great little car. I also think that it would look great next to my Mars Red 2009 C63 AMG!!!!!
audisport says:
06:04 AM, 08/12/09
Hey brn, 0-60 in 8.2 is respectable. The only issue with the smart is that it goes 0-45 in 8.2 and then takes almost double the time to get to 60 from there!!
DLu says:
06:39 AM, 08/12/09
hm ... i do not see any reason to get one of these ... turds ... in the US. Well, if somebody wants to look, uh, what's the word i'm looking for (it's not "cool"), different ...
They looked cool skirting around on the tiny island of St. Barth (haven't been to Europe), but that's because a car going faster than ... me riding a bicycle, would quickly find itself in the ocean. and you probably cannot fit on the island with normal cars anyway. ;)
looking at the fuel economy shootout on Edmunds, Prius would be the clear winner for about the same $22k.
autoboy16 says:
07:30 AM, 08/12/09
This car could benefit from a CVT than that autofail it has now. We don't really like CVTs, but its MUCH better!!
OR a good old fashioned manual tranny. I wonder how quick/slow this car would be with those?
I agree that a Turbo would really help this car a LOT. But is there room for one? Is there even room for the intercooler it would need?!?
brn says:
07:33 AM, 08/12/09
Thanks audisport. I guess my brain wouldn't let the 14.3 associate with 0-60. That's pretty bad.
iskch says:
07:52 AM, 08/12/09
The Smart is not a performance car. But if you want to compare it to other turtles in our history less bring it on a comparo with:
- 1970 VW BUG
- 1964 Chevy Nova w/4 cyl.
- 1960's Citroen 2CV
- 1990's GEO Metro
- 1970's Chevy Chevette
jkp1187 says:
08:42 AM, 08/12/09
@thammer62: I think that's an argument against the nonsense-on-stilts known as the Expedition, not the Smart car (anemic though its performance is.)
bankerdanny says:
08:44 AM, 08/12/09
Well, Car and Driver tested a '98 Metro with 110k miles against the Prius and Insight:
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/comparisons/09q3/2010_honda_insight_vs._2010_toyota_prius_1998_chevy_metro-comparison_tests
The test results summary is here:
http://www.caranddriver.com/var/ezflow_site/storage/original/application/c25f91204b3af2dd071f848fa067bde7.pdf
0-60 15.9 sec
1/4 mile 20.3 sec @65mph
At least it did it on regular gas.
06beastgt says:
09:11 AM, 08/12/09
Even with a different transmission i don't see much improvement with its numbers, its underpowered. Its just a little toy that you get if you have nothing to spend your money on or you get as a second car if you live in an extremely populated city with small roads and tons of traffic but still i cant comprehend why would someone spend money on a BRABUS SMART car !!!
tryan says:
09:19 AM, 08/12/09
iskch - I agree, the standard Smart ForTwo is not sold as a performance car. However, slap the Brabus badge on there and the expectations are a bit different for such a major premium in price.
felonious says:
09:27 AM, 08/12/09
Bankerdanny, thanks for that trip down memory lane. Scariest experience I've ever had in a vehicle was driving a rented Geo Metro through L.A.
ctpax says:
02:30 PM, 08/12/09
I WANT THIS CAR!
braco says:
03:48 PM, 08/12/09
iskch - How could you leave off the Yugo from your list.
iskch says:
10:04 AM, 08/13/09
forgot the YUGO!!! darnn.
jm1212 says:
10:45 AM, 08/13/09
what a stupid vehicle. that thing would be punted through the air like a football by anything bigger than a Corolla.
mito says:
12:03 PM, 08/13/09
The Brabus Fortwo in Europe comes with a turbo. This must be a watered down US version.
European version:
98/5500 hp/1 min
140/3500 Nm/1 min
0-62 (sec): 9.9
rkr says:
12:50 PM, 08/13/09
So with a turbo it can keep up with a Buick? Wow now that makes the over priced shopping cart so worth it????
stephen987 says:
04:21 PM, 08/16/09
When I was in high school one of my female friends drove around in a '79 Fairmont ESO with an inline four and four-speed manual. That car generated better acceleration numbers (0-60 in 13.5 sec according to C/D) than the "tuner" version of the Smart.
Here's the kicker: the Fairmont could match the Smart's skidpad numbers too.