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The fastest BRABUS version of the smart #3 offers 422bhp, striking looks and a bespoke-feeling cabin. Whether all that's enough to justify its price and existence will be a very personal decision.
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Detailed ratings
Family Hatch - GTi Hatchbacks
Driving experience
The BRABUS badge suggests a bespoke tuner's drivetrain but in fact the powerplant here is simply from the Geely parts bin (already used by the Volvo EX30 Twin Motor model that shares this car's same SEA Chinese-designed platform). The 422bhp dual motor system output of this top smart #3 (and the frantic 3.7s 0-62mph sprint time) are much the same as that Volvo, but the 258 mile EV range figure is a substantial 28 miles less.
Thanks to the monstrous 543Nm torque figure, overtakes are of the 'see it and do it' instant variety. But while there's much more poise and cornering traction through the bends than the standard #3 (as you'd expect given this BRABUS model's dual motor system), the handling isn't as tactile as the kind of comparably-priced combustion super hot hatch (like say a Golf R) that Luddites might consider as an alternative. A lot of this is down to extra EV weight, but some of it can additionally be blamed on the slightly lifeless steering. It's also because little work has been done to re-tune the steering and reconfigure the tyres for this top version. To distract you from all this, smart provides an extra fiery 'BRABUS' drive mode and a rortier fake drivetrain note.
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Design and build
The look of this BRABUS #3 variant could sell it to you as much as the wild powertrain might. You get the idea that this is how the #3 designers originally intended for the car to look. In contrast to the rather apologetic look at the conventional model, you get a bolder two-tone red and black paint finish, more aggressive front and rear bumpers, a more pronounced rear spoiler, an extra vent in the nose and large 20-inch wheels featuring red brake calipers.
Inside, it's just like the #1 BRABUS, so you get lots of red accents, plus red seat belts, perforated suede upholstery and B badging throughout. Even ordinary #3s get quite a low seat positioning and that works really well with the #3 BRABUS, making it much sportier-feeling than the #1 BRABUS model, which sits you up a lot higher. A head-up display is standard-fit.
Otherwise, it's much as in any other #3. So physical switchgear is scarce, with almost everything controlled through the freestanding 12.8-inch central touchscreen. Also common with the #1 is the narrow letterbox-shaped digital instrument display you view through the three- spoke wheel. A panoramic glass roof is standard and there's a decent amount of cabin storage space, with nice touches like an air conditioned cubby under the central armrest keep your chocolate cool.
The back seat feels more spacious than the swept-back roofline suggests it might be - for heads and legs. But the bench doesn't slide like it does in a #1 and you wouldn't want to have to cram in a centre-seated adult. Boot space is on the small side, rated at 370-litres, though that's actually 47-litres more than you get in a #1.
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Market and model
You're going to need to really want this top BRABUS version of the #3 because the price is pitched right up in premium territory - around £45,000 at the time of this Review. That's around £5,000 more than the top version in the standard #3 range, the 62kWh 'Premium Pro' variant. This BRABUS model goes up against performance small EVs like its cousin the Volvo EX30 Twin Motor, plus the MG4 XPOWER, the CUPRA Born VZ, the Volkswagen ID3 GTX, the Abarth 600e and the Alpine A290.
We've covered all the additional BRABUS model features in our 'Driving' and 'Design' sections. These are of course in addition to those items you get on other #3 models. Which include Matrix LED+ headlights with adaptive high beam; and Automatic Parking Assist, which will automatically slot the car into tight spaces. Plus there's a panoramic glass sunroof, illumination for the concealed door handles, scrolling dynamic indicators and gesture control for the powered tailgate. Inside, there's a wireless 'phone charger and a 13-speaker 640-watt Beats sound system. And the cabin has extended 64-colour premium ambient lighting, illuminated door treadplates and a leather steering wheel cover.
On to safety provision. There's the usual 'Front & Rear Collision Mitigation' autonomous braking system, plus a whole host of stuff to keep you properly in lane - 'Lane Departure Warning', 'Lane Keep Assist', 'Emergency Lane Keep Assist', 'Lane Departure Prevention' and 'Lane Change Assist'. There's also 'Blind Spot Detection' and a Door Open Warning feature. Semi-autonomous drive stuff includes 'Traffic Jam Assist' (which will basically drive the car for you in low speed stop-start traffic); and 'Highway Assist' (which will do the same kind of thing at cruising speeds). Plus there's 'Intelligent Speed Assist', which (if set) will use the standard 'Traffic Sign Recognition' system to automatically adjust your speed to posted limits.
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Cost of ownership
Opting for this weightier BRABUS model inevitably means a small drop in driving range - from 283 (for the 'Premium' version) to 258 miles (10 miles more than a #1 BRABUS). But otherwise, things are much as with the ordinary mid-range 'Premium'-spec #3 variant. The 150kW charging speed looks good, which allows for a 10-80% DC super charging time of just 30 minutes. The 66kWh battery (only 62kWh of which is usable) takes just 3 hours to replenish itself from 10-80% from an AC supply, thanks to the 22kW AC charge power system that comes fitted. Full battery replenishment by the way, takes a lot longer: a 7.4kW garage wallbox needs 12 hours 45 minutes to completely charge the battery from empty to full.
As usual with an EV, the car slots into a low 2% Benefit-in-Kind taxation bracket. And is exempt from road fund licence, London Congestion Charge and London ULEZ charges until 2025. Insurance is group 41 for this top 'BRABUS' variant. What about the peace of mind you'd want from a potentially unfamiliar brand? Well there's a three-year unlimited mileage warranty; an 8 year / 125,000 mile battery warranty; and every car comes with an Integrated Service Package covering servicing and wear-and-tear items for 3 years or 30,000 miles. Plus there's Roadside Assistance for up to 8 years or 100,000 miles, provided the car is maintained at a smart aftersales partner.
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Summary
BRABUS badging should denote specific BRABUS engineering. For the present, we're not sure here that it does. But if all you want is a smart #3 that goes a lot faster and looks better in the gym car park, that may not matter.
It's a mark of the current performance benchmarks in this part of the EV market that 422bhp isn't actually that unusual in this segment. What would be unusual would be a small electric vehicle thoroughly engineered to rewardingly handle all that power. The smart #3 BRABUS isn't quite that car, but we think it could be if smart were to put a bit more investment into creating BRABUS as a proper performance sub-division of its brand. It'll be interesting to see if that happens.
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