However, the automotive landscape is ever-evolving, and Smart has decided to shake things up with the #3 Brabus, a vehicle that ventures boldly into the realm of performance crossovers.

A Bold New Direction

At first glance, the Smart #3 Brabus is a departure from the brand’s traditional design language. This coupe-crossover boasts a sleeker, more aggressive stance, with a design that’s both modern and assertive.

The front fascia is dominated by an LED lightbar and a distinctive grille, while the sloping roofline adds a touch of sportiness to the overall silhouette.

The Brabus enhancements further elevate its visual appeal. Sportier body kits, 20-inch alloys, and subtle Brabus badging hint at the performance potential lurking beneath the surface.

A Blend of Sport and Tech

Step inside the #3 Brabus, and you’re greeted by an interior that marries sportiness with modern technology.

The cabin is adorned with microfibre suede sports seats that provide ample support during spirited drives, while the Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel feels both premium and purposeful.

The red stitching and Brabus logos scattered throughout serve as constant reminders of the vehicle’s performance pedigree.

Dominating the dashboard is a 12.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, complemented by a 9.2-inch digital driver’s display. The interface is sleek and responsive, offering a plethora of features and customisation options.

However, as with many modern vehicles, the reliance on touch controls for essential functions can be a double-edged sword, being distracting when trying to make adjustments on the move.

Despite its coupe-like silhouette, the rear seats offer commendable legroom and headroom, ensuring that passengers aren’t left feeling cramped.

The 370-litre boot space, while not class-leading, is sufficient for daily errands and weekend getaways.

Electrifying Performance

Under the hood, the Smart #3 Brabus is anything but ‘smart’ in the traditional sense. Equipped with a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system that delivers 422bhp and 543Nm of torque, this pocket rocket rocks the century sprint in just 3.7 seconds.

Driving the #3 Brabus is an experience that borders on the surreal. The instant torque delivery ensures that acceleration is both brutal and relentless. It’s simply addictive, and your brain will need a second or two to catch up in Brabus mode.

However, with great power comes great range compromise. While Smart claims a range of 415km on a full charge, real-world figures are likely to be lower, especially if you frequently indulge in spirited driving.

On the road, the #3 Brabus continues to impress. The suspension setup is firm enough to keep body roll in check during enthusiastic cornering, yet compliant enough to absorb the imperfections of urban roads. However, it’s worth noting that the vehicle’s weight (tipping the scales at 1,910kg) does make its presence felt during aggressive driving.

There’s no real connection through the steering wheel and it can feel artificially weighted, but the #3 still maintains its composure well. You get a low view out the front, akin to a Tesla Model 3, which gives you good visibility of what’s coming up.

My only gripe with the car is the transition between regen and disc brakes. The switch can be quite clumsy, odd given Mercedes’ extensive know-how in this area.

Overall, the car feels like a shaken-up Coca-Cola bottle, just waiting to unleash its torque at any straightaway it comes across.

A Niche Offering With Broad Appeal

The Smart #3 Brabus is a bold statement from a brand that’s clearly intent on redefining its image. It offers blistering performance, head-turning design, and a cabin that’s both sporty and tech-laden.

For those seeking a performance crossover that stands out from the crowd and delivers thrills on demand, the #3 Brabus is a compelling option. And please, do get it in orange.

Technical Specifications

Smart #3 Brabus

Powertrain: Two Electric Motors, All-Wheel Drive
Power: 315kW (422bhp)
Torque: 543Nm
Gearbox: Single-Speed (A)
0-100km/h: 3.7 seconds (claimed)
Top Speed: 180 km/h
Battery Capacity: 66 kWh
Drive Range: 415 km
Energy Consumption: 5.68 km/kWh (claimed)
Price: S$289,000 with COE (accurate at the time of this article)

Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)

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Smart, for most of us, means the ForTwo, that tiny urban two-seater that was supposed to revolutionise city mobility. It had a quirky charm, and some people thought it represented the future. 

Unfortunately, not enough people thought that way, and it never really became the success story Mercedes hoped for. Yet, for reasons best known to them, they couldn’t let it go, despite losing money on it pretty much the whole time.

A new chapter begins

Then, in June 2020, Smart Europe GmbH was reborn, this time as a 50:50 joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and Chinese giant Geely. This is the same Geely that owns Lotus and Volvo, so you can bet this Smart is going to have some shared DNA embedded in it.

And their plan was to bid farewell to the ForTwo, abandon the original idea of radical city cars, and jump into the booming crossover market just like everyone else.

It sure looks unique

The Smart #1 Brabus is a carefully targeted car from a carefully targeted brand. In many ways, Smart has looked at what BMW did with MINI and gone for a similar vibe.

MINI was once all about clever small cars but shifted to retro coolness. Mercedes has taken a page from that playbook, and they have even gone a step further with this Brabus edition.

Yes, this is an official Brabus product, but it’s not quite what you’d expect. No longer just about performance, Brabus is now positioned as the flagship variant. You’ll recognise it by its aero-spec 19-inch wheels, sporty body kit with an extended spoiler, and signature red accents. It even has fake vents in front of the bonnet.

And loaded with tech

There’s quite a lot going on inside the cabin of the Smart #1, even if at first glance it might look a tad minimalist. Nearly everything is controlled through a central 12.8-inch infotainment screen, which comes standard regardless of trim level.

It’s powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chipset, the kind of hardware usually reserved for gaming systems. Fancy. But the home screen is also a bit overloaded with information, and the graphics can feel a little overwhelming.

On the plus side, the screen is incredibly responsive, and Smart has wisely placed shortcuts to climate controls along the bottom. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available if you so wish, and Smart’s over-the-air updates should make it easy to patch in new features down the line.

But here’s where things get tricky. Some essential functions are buried deep within the system’s submenus. For instance, if you want to silence the enthusiastic fake engine noise, you’ll have to embark on a digital treasure hunt.

And adjusting the side mirrors requires a tap on the screen and a few button presses on the steering wheel; similar to Tesla, and more convoluted than necessary.

The Brabus trim treats you to a quality Beats audio system, and the cabin materials are generally pleasant to the touch. It even gets swathes of Alcantara. 

One thing we did appreciate was the high centre console, which hides two cupholders, a large storage bin, and a thoughtfully angled induction charging pad. And in terms of driving position and seat comfort, there’s very little to grumble about.

Is it practical? Sort of.

If you’re planning to ferry passengers around, the Smart #1 Brabus is a surprisingly good choice. There’s generous head and legroom in the rear seats, and getting in is easy thanks to wide door openings. Plus, you can slide your feet comfortably under the front seats, even when they’re set low.

The rear bench is a 60:40 split and can slide forward to increase boot space at the expense of legroom. But, while the boot offers a claimed 411 litres of space, the actual usable area isn’t great.

The floor is high, and the parcel shelf sits low, making it awkward for cargo ingress. And when you slide the seats forward, there’s an awkward gap between them and the raised boot floor.

There’s a tiny 15-litre frunk, but that’s really only useful for stashing the charging cables. Not much else is going to fit in there.

But what annoyed us the most?

Ah, the driver alert system. You can turn it off via the menus, but it has a stubborn habit of defaulting back to “on” each time the car power cycles.

There’s a camera on the steering wheel that monitors your face, and if it thinks you’re not paying attention, it bongs loudly and flashes the message “Distractive. Drive carefully.” Smart says it’s working on fixing the grammar. We say they should also dial back the sensitivity.

Even if you’re at a junction glancing right to check for traffic (as you do), the car decides you’re distracted. You get scolded for simply trying to drive safely. It’s ironic, really. So many of the car’s functions are buried within that centre screen, and yet if you look at it for too long, it yells at you. After a few rounds of this, you’ll be ready to tear your hair out.

All in all, the Smart #1 has a lot to offer but also has a few quirks that might test your patience.

Where’s the fun Brabus bit

Brabus and Smart have history, though it’s mostly been Brabus dressing up the Smart models with sporty touches while staying hands-off under the hood. This time, however, the Brabus version packs 422bhp, which feels a bit over-the-top for a small family crossover.

This translates to a century sprint time of 3.9 seconds. In a crossover. It’s bonkers, yes, but do you need all that speed? Probably not.

Yet, in this case, the extra power does give the car added character.

The Smart #1 Brabus doesn’t just go faster, it feels more composed. Thanks to the AWD system, it has better traction and body control, which translates into more confident handling, especially in the wet.

Sure, it’s not a hardcore sports car, but it’s more stable than its Pro+ rear-drive sibling. And if you do push it, the rear motor will give you a playful little kick before the traction control reins things in. It’s not bad at all, especially considering the 1,900kg kerbweight.

So it drives well then?

Surprisingly well, actually. The suspension is soft, but the damping is well-judged, meaning the #1 hides its weight better than you’d expect. The wheels are pushed out to the corners, keeping the heft within the wheelbase, so it feels stable and predictable in corners.

There’s no steering feel to speak of (welcome to the world of electric cars) but it’s quiet, composed, and generally well-mannered at higher speeds. 

The suspension is tuned on the softer side, and there’s enough tyre sidewall to absorb the bumps, which keeps things relatively cushy on uneven roads. It’s also quiet, with little noise from the tyres or wind, so you can enjoy a peaceful ride.

There’s one annoyance though: the regenerative braking. It’s smooth at higher speeds but becomes grabby and unpredictable at low speeds, making it tricky to drive smoothly in stop-start traffic. The adaptive cruise control doesn’t help either; jerky and not very intelligent. You’re better off just using your right foot.

In terms of drive modes, you’ve got Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Brabus. None of them really transforms the driving experience aside from throttle response, slight steering weight changes, and a more pronounced “faux engine note”.

There’s also a Standard and Strong regenerative braking option, but the difference is minimal. One-pedal driving? Not really. Even with the e-Pedal mode on, the regen isn’t strong enough to bring you to a quick stop, so you’ll still be using the brake pedal more often than not.

What about efficiency?

Smart claims 5.5 km/kWh for the Brabus, which is pretty average for an EV. In real-world conditions, expect around 4.4km/kWh in mixed driving. It’s not the most aerodynamic thing on the road, so efficiency takes a hit.

And I mean, you have the Brabus variant, why not stomp your right foot every now and then?

It’s got character

The Smart #1 Brabus manages to stand out from the crowd with its playful character and addictive power delivery. The funky styling might not be as bonkers as the Smarts of yesteryears, but the new generation is well-made and practical.

If you’re looking for something more whimsical and fun, the Brabus variant is something you should have on your shopping list.

Technical Specifications

Smart #1 electric Brabus

Powertrain: Two Electric Motor, All-Wheel Drive

Power: 315kW (422bhp)
Torque: 543Nm
Gearbox: Single-Speed (A)
0-100km/h: 3.9 seconds (claimed)
Top Speed: Unknown
Battery Capacity: 66 kWh
Drive Range: 400 km
Energy Consumption: 5.5 km/kWh (claimed)

Price: S$245,000 with COE (accurate at the time of this article)
Contact: Smart Singapore

Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)

Read more automotive news at AutoApp, or check out our latest videos on Ignition Labs TV and on TikTok!

Cycle & Carriage Singapore announced the launch of local sales for the smart #1 Pro+ and the smart #1 BRABUS at VivoCity today.

The smart #1 Pro+ is priced at $207,000 (inclusive of COE), while the smart #1 BRABUS will start selling at $242,000 (inclusive of COE), for the first 20 units.

The two all-electric, intelligent, premium compact Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) will be Smart Automobile’s first electric vehicles (EVs) to be sold in Singapore, since Cycle & Carriage Singapore was appointed as their general distributor in January 2024.

Designed by Mercedes-Benz’s Global design team and engineered by Smart Automobile’s research and development team, smart’s all-EV portfolio will be riding on the crest of the green mobility wave in Singapore.

Mr Wilfrid Foo, Managing Director, Cycle & Carriage Singapore, said, “We are excited to bring the smart #1 to the Singapore market. smart represents a new definition of premium EVs, bringing together the best of the East and the West through its ingenious design language and innovative engineering.”

“We envision that the smart #1 will appeal to the discerning consumers who are familiar with the Cycle & Carriage ethos, and have a deep, refined appreciation of premium craftsmanship, thoughtful interior, and exterior composition, as well as cutting-edge technology.”

Taking place at Vivocity from now till 28 April 2024, the smart #1 roadshow goes beyond a traditional automotive pop-up at a shopping mall.

The inclusion of interactive lifestyle booths called Smart Active, smart Beats, and Smart Style, aims to showcase how this EV integrates seamlessly with urban culture and complements the spirit of co-creation.

These activities, including photo booths, workshops and silent disco, are organised in collaboration with brand partners, Beats by Dre and Puma Golf, as well as Smart’s renowned merchandise label, Smart Idea.

At the launch event, smart announced the first batch of ‘smart Inspiring Creators’, including actress Sheila Sim, Kiss92 radio host Daphne Khoo, entertainment industry veteran Paul Foster, and musician Daniel Sid.

These inspiring trend-setters will echo the vision of the smart by embodying the spirit of co-creation. The car will also be a feature at the Sunset Cinema event which will take place at Tanjong Beach, Sentosa from 25 April to 12 May 2024.

Check out our previous article for more information, or head down to Vivocity to see and experience the smart #1 up close.

Photo Credits: smart Singapore, Sean Loo (@auto.driven)

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