smart roadster BRABUS Review

smart Roadster BRABUS

How It Drove - Performance

The smart roadster BRABUS has a 0-62 mph time of 9.8 seconds and a top speed of 119 mph. Don't be down hearted if you equate driving pleasure with a 0-62 mph time of sub 6 seconds, the smart roadster BRABUS's 698 cc, 3-cylinder turbo charged engine's output of 101 bhp offers 23 percent more engine power than the standard roadster. At 120 bhp per tonne the smart roadster BRABUS has a power to weight ratio on par with more powerful and expensive sports cars. When you need that extra bit of power, this car delivers.

The roadster BRABUS features a newly-developed exhaust turbocharger which gives a further boost in engine power in conjunction with the new charge air cooling system. A reinforced clutch and a transmission designed for higher torque puts the emphasis on a more demanding driving style.

The roadster is just as nimble around town as its smart fortwo siblings and acceleration is rapid. The SOFTOUCH automatic mode allows you to drive the car as an automatic which is excellent around town although the gear changes can be jerky. The kickdown function enables you to spontaneously change down a gear or two with the accelerator pedal. The roadster also features as standard a rev counter and digital gear display which recommends when to shift up and down the gears which could be useful when you are distracted by the numerous stares and comments that the roadster BRABUS attracts.

The SOFTIP sequential 6-speed transmission is extremely intuitive, simply knock the gear lever forward to change up and backwards to change down. If you do get carried away and forget to change up a gear, the transmission will automatically shift up/down for you. On the open road the optional three-spoke leather sports steering wheel with steering wheel mounted paddleshift is our favourite. It enables you to change up and down the gears swiftly using two paddles without taking your hands off the wheel - in true F1 style.

The smart roadster BRABUS will comfortably cruise at legal motorway speeds although the road/engine noise does become a little tiring after a while and the stereo does nothing to drown the noise.