E-car Smart #5 Brabus: an attempt to stand out from the rest
Smart presents the top model of the #5, which can leave many sports cars behind with its 475 kW despite its heavy SUV format.
(Image: Smart)
Smart has split the launch of the #5 into two parts, and this was not an oversight. On the one hand, by delaying the launch of the #5 Brabus, the brand hoped to attract the attention of its target group for a second time. That worked. On the other hand, it is cleverly trying to conceal the fact that there is only around 40 kW of system power between the version with the Brabus badge, which is praised as a top athlete, and the fastest model on this side.
3.8 seconds in the sprint to 100 km/h
Smart is trying to dispel concerns that the two are too close. This is less about the top speed, which has been increased by 10 km/h to 210 km/h. What is downright astonishing considering the only 43 kW higher system output — the #5 Brabus offers 475 kW — is the significantly shorter time in the standard sprint. Instead of 4.9 seconds in the “Pulse” model with 432 kW, the Brabus should only take 3.8 seconds. To put these figures into context: The #5 Brabus is a touch faster in this discipline than a Ferrari F50 from the 1990s. Yet, the SUV weighs almost 2.4 tons even when empty. If the arms race continues at this pace, one can already wonder how new cars will be motorized in a few years.
Smart #5 Brabus (11 Bilder)
Smart
)400 kW charging power
The Smart undercuts every VW Polo in terms of energy consumption. In the WLTP, the manufacturer states 19.9 kWh/100 km – which corresponds to the calorific value of just over two liters of premium gasoline. Smart relies on a material mix of lithium, nickel, manganese, and cobalt for the battery. The usable energy content is 94 kWh, which should be sufficient for a range of 540 km in the cycle. At its peak, Smart claims 400 kW DC charging power. Under optimum conditions, 18 minutes should be enough to charge the battery from 10 to 80 percent. The fact that this #5 can also charge at the widespread AC charging stations with 22 kW is a pleasant everyday feature.
Less expensive than comparable competitors
The #5 Brabus is said to cost 60,900 euros. A lot of money, but a combustion engine of a similar format that could keep up in terms of performance would be significantly pricier. Smart's top-of-the-range model also comes with a wealth of equipment as standard. It includes a fixed glass roof, a Sennheiser sound system, Matrix lights, 21-inch rims and a heat pump. This is even more than in the #5 Pulse, which is also very powerful at 432 kW. In the end, the upgrades in equipment and performance must be worth around, 5500 euros to the customer. That is the surcharge for the Brabus compared to the Pulse. In the end, most customers will probably stick with the #5 models with rear-wheel drive, which at 250 to 267 kW are not weak either.
(mfz)