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Smart Automobile, now a joint-venture between Mercedes-Benz and China's Geely, has launched a new Brabus performance version of its upcoming #5 mid-size EV SUV.
The new twin-motor, all-wheel drive flagship model is claimed to produce no less than 475kW delivering 0-100km/h acceleration in 3.8 seconds courtesy of an ‘Active Launch Mode’.
Speaking at the car’s launch overnight, Brabus CEO Constantin Buschmann said, “As the most powerful electric SUV ever in our joint line-up, it is all about pushing our design and engineering to the absolute maximum.”
Due to join the Smart #1 small SUV and #3 small coupe SUV in local market in the middle of this year, the ‘standard’ #5 (hashtag five) is a mid-size, twin-motor SUV pitched as a genuine off-roader with back seats that convert into a single, queen or king-sized sleeping space.
It’s fitted with a 100kWh battery, which the brand says delivers a 740km driving range, using the more lenient CLTC testing procedure. That should translate to a WLTP range of around 600km.
It also utilises a 800V architecture, unlocking super-fast charging, with the brand promising it will take just 15min to go from 10-80 percent when plugged into an appropriate DC fast charger.
Leaning more towards on-road performance, the #5 Brabus rolls on 19-inch Brabus ‘Monoblock Z’ 10-spoke rims (with red brake callipers behind them) and is offered in “exclusive Brabus paint finishes”.
Inside, microfibre trimmed seats are ventilated and heated in the front, while dual 13-inch central media displays are joined by an additional 13-inch screen for the front passenger.
A 25.6-inch head-up display features augmented reality navigation and audio is an ultra-premium Sennheiser ‘Signature Sound System’ featuring no less than 20 high-performance speakers and a central pop-up speaker.
CarsGuide has contacted Australian Smart importer/distributor LSH Auto for confirmation of the #5 Brabus’ arrival in the local market and this story will be updated in response to feedback received.
But given the current #1 and #3 feature a Brabus variant at the top of their respective line-ups it’s a safe bet the top-spec #5 will come here, likely sometime this year.
In terms of pricing, the current before on-road costs ask for the #1 Brabus is $67,900 and the #3 Brabus sits at $70,900. So, expect a starting price in the $80K bracket for the #5 Brabus.
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