Brabus have been known to the world as a company that produces mad, torque bursting Daimler cars (Mercedes-Benz cars mostly). But they also have 10 years of experience with the Smart label and this year at the Geneva Motor Show, the public will be presented with the Brabus Smart Fortwo electric drive and the Brabus Smart ebike – ideas for future sports mobility.
“Like all smart Brabus vehicles these two new models follow our philosophy of more style, more power and more exclusiveness”, says Bodo Buschmann, CEO of the Bottrop customiser Brabus. “In addition to classic Brabus customers they also appeal to smart electric drive customers who attach importance to environmental friendliness and also want even more sportiness and exclusiveness. Or to put it another way: we give the sporty soul a green heart.”
With the Brabus Fortwo electric drive, the company has further improved on its principles – maximum driving fun, now with zero emissions. The electric motor in the Brabus product is based on the standard forwto unit but with 60 kW of power it takes the lead among conventional Smarts. Torque is also up to 135 Nm and constantly available as expected from an EV. The ride has been lowered thanks to a Brabus suspension and with the addition of Brabus “Monoblock VII” alloy wheels measuring 16″ at the front and 17″ the sporty feel is almost complete. The thing that could have been left behind is the sound module – a device that produces fake engine noises is as useful as a smartphone Zippo application.
Other than that the exterior and interior is very pleasant. Those green and black motives on the finish and the trimmings make the Fortwo look like a training shoe… or an energy drink can. Dark Brabus headlamps add a dash of aggression while Brabus Xclusive aerodynamic body styling parts (a front spoiler and a special rear apron insert with double reflectors) complete the outside look. Inside, leather covers the seats and instrument and door panels. The dashboard and the hand-brake handle are custom made by Brabus (and so is the clock). A sports stearing wheel and gear lever leave the cockpit distinctive and compleate.
The Smart Brabus ebike also ticks out all the Brabus essentials for a successful project – more style, more power and more exclusiveness. An overall black frame with green leather handles and a green seat leaves the impression that the Fortwo and the ebike are related. Also in contrasting green are the pedals and the various nuts and bolts scattered all over the bike. A four-piston calliper is fixed upon the the front wheel disk while the wheels themselves have a unique four-spoke design made from carbon fiber. Other ways to tell that this isn’t your everyday Smart ebike is by looking at the Sport Contact tyres, weight-optimised cranks and pedals and the carbon seatpost.
With 500 watts the electric motor is twice as powerful as that on the Smart ebike. Because of all the carbon fiber components, the ebike is also 10 percent lighter. The assistance from the motor is regulated by four level with the forth one being the highest. Ultimately the ebike is capable of speeds of up to 45 km/h – a road legal bike!
Source: Smart
MR Car Design has introduced their pimped Golf VI R32. The athlete is co-developed with BTS-Racing and the result is impressive. The engine conversion includes reinforced DSG gearbox and R 32 HPG Turbo-Kit. The result is whopping 465PS (342 kW) and 550Nm (406 lb-ft).
Suzuki Swift Sport has been named Best Hot Hatchback at the Carbuyer.co.uk Awards. The small performance car was comprehensively judged by the editorial team and was the clear winner against some strong competition. 2012 Swift Sport managed to score 5 out of a possible 5 overall with the judges all agreeing that the new model combines agile handling, sparkling performance and an affordable price in perfect quantities.
Mansory has introduced the customised McLaren MP4-12C, which received both styling and performance modifications.
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JE Design have been working on a Porsche recently and this is the end result – the JE Design Panamera 970. Judging by the pictures, we can’t decide whether they have made an ugly car even uglier or not. We do know however, that the power is up and when thundering down the road, bystanders do not pay attention to small details like aesthetics, right?
Bentley has announced that they will produce the special edition Mulsanne Executive Interior, which was first showcased at the 2011 Frankfurt Show.
Chevrolet will reveal several exciting new vehicles at the 82nd International Geneva Motor Show, next week. The new Cruze Station Wagon will make its official debut and two youth concept cars – the Code 130R and Tru 140S. Last, but not least, the future of on-board infotainment will be displayed in the form of Chevrolet MyLink.
