We drove with the smart #1 Brabus, the first ultra powerful Smart Electric SUV of Smart

The Smart #1 belongs to the category of compact SUVs and 100 % electric crossovers. Indeed, it is 4.27 meters long, 1.63 meters high and 1.82 meters wide. The wheelbase is 2.75 meters, and the weight depends on the version: Smart #1 with an electric motor mounted on the back (propulsion) weighs 1788 kg or 1800 kg depending on the equipment, and goes to 1900 kg For the Smart Brabus, which has two electric motors (one back and one at the front) and an all -wheel drive.

Smart #1, Electric Brabus test of 428 hp

It is the largest and most powerful Smart, it is 100 electric and promises 440 km of autonomy in “normal” version.

September 28, 2022 at 6:00 p.m
By: Giuliano Daniele

There has never been such an intelligent car. No wonder they called it Smart #1 (in English hashtag one) In reference to the fact that it is the first born of the industrial alliance between the Germans of Daimler – namely Mercedes – and the Chinese group Geely, who also controls the Volvo and Lotus brands.

With the star SUV of this test, which is a 100 % electric car whose power reaches 428 hp on the Smart version #1 Brabus (0-100 km/h in 3.9 s), a new period begins for a brand that put on the smallest car of all, the smart Fortwo.

With interesting technical characteristics, since the battery of the Smart #1 has a capacity of 66 kWh (61 kWh usable) and promises up to 440 km of autonomy, good value for a car of less than 4 meters and 30 centimeters long.

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Smart #1 Brabus: Exterior

The Smart #1 belongs to the category of compact SUVs and 100 % electric crossovers. Indeed, it is 4.27 meters long, 1.63 meters high and 1.82 meters wide. The wheelbase is 2.75 meters, and the weight depends on the version: Smart #1 with an electric motor mounted on the back (propulsion) weighs 1788 kg or 1800 kg depending on the equipment, and goes to 1900 kg For the Smart Brabus, which has two electric motors (one back and one at the front) and an all -wheel drive.

Smart #1 is built on a chassis platform developed by Geely specifically for electric cars, called SEA (Sustainable Experience Architecture). The minimum capacity of the luggage compartment is 313 liters or 323 liters depending on the finish. Without forgetting 15 liters in the loading compartment under the front cover.

In terms of aesthetics, the front headlights with LED matrix with a curved form, also taken up by the rear lights, are noticed from afar. This is reminiscent of the appearance of electric Mercedes, like the Mercedes Eqa.

In general, the bodywork of Smart #1 has very smooth surfaces, with lines defined above all by soft forms, by curves assembled in a fluid way. Looking at the side, we then notice the roof solution which is not visually connected to the cash belt, but suspended. And the effect is even more obvious if you choose contrasting bodywork colors (there are four, while there are nine colors of paint for the entire car).

In addition, the doors – as on the coupe – have the four frameless windows, as well as retractable handles to improve aerodynamics. The 19 -inch wheels are also forced, always to reduce the drag, with tires of 235/45 on the most powerful Brabus version.

Smart #1 Brabus: interior

The cabin is as smooth as the body, with a design that makes the dashboard and the console are enveloping, well adjusted and with few angles. At the same time, it creates a high central tunnel which separates the two front seats, leaving a lot of space for the objects below.

Digital instrumentation consists of a thin screen behind the steering wheel of 9.2 “and just above, information from the head-up display system, projected on the windshield on a surface of 10”.

In the passenger compartment, it is also possible to choose room lighting for the dashboard and other garnish surfaces, with 64 different colors and 20 levels of intensity.

The 12.8 -inch central touch screen has software developed with the Chinese company E Car X, with 12 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage space. It has a logic of operation very close to that of smartphones and tablets, with shortcuts for frequently used functions and widgets which call for the most important content. And modern, young and informal graphics.

There is also a virtual assistant personified by a fox (!), with which we can interact. Give vocal commands, for example, which are displayed “in words” on the screen.

The browser is not based on Google Maps as in other electric cars (the Renault Megane, to name it), but it still provides journeys with indications to stop and recharge and a forecast of the percentage of the battery. Apple Car Play and Android Auto will arrive in 2023 and the software can be updated remotely for 75 % of on -board electronic control units.

Smart #1 Brabus: Driving

Smart #1 Brabus takes only 3.9 seconds for acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h, which is enough to keep the pace of many sports cars. The Synchronous Electric Synchronous Electric Auto Rear develops 272 hp and 343 Nm of torque, in addition to the 156 hp and 200 Nm of the front engine.

In sport and brabus modes, more dynamic, the power delivered is managed.It is exuberant and allows instant recovery between turns. If the suspension is a little firm, they absorb irregularities well but do not offer as much support as you would like to consider the speeds that the Brabus allows to reach.

The change of driving mode also modifies the intensity of energy regeneration, with a nice calibration of the brake pedal. In addition, from the touch screen you can also select the driving mode from a pedal, with which the car stops completely without using the brake.

It is also appreciable to be able to separate the calibration from the management of driving modes, by promoting the softer and more relaxed positions that are better with the settings. Soundproofing is neat and the seats are also comfortable. ADAS driving aids include Smart Pilot, which includes the adaptive cruise control with the Stop & Go function, keeping the track, lateral blind spot detector, recognition of traffic signs, assistant assistant Channel change and automatic parking with 360 -degree camera.

The 61 kWh real battery (66 kWh nominal) can be recharged alternating at 7.4 kW on the basic version and 22 kW on richer versions. In direct current, the maximum absorption power is 150 kW, which makes it possible to recharge from 10 to 80 % in 30 minutes.

During this first test in Portugal, we rolled in a dense curculation, in town, then we did a little device and a few kilometers of highway. The average 428 hp brabus consumption was 21 kWh/100 km, just under 5 km/kWh: using the whole battery capacity, we could reach almost 300 km.

We then carried out a few kilometers with the Smart #1 of 272 hp (with engine and rear drive, 343 nm, 0-100 km/h in 6.7 s) by adopting a normal and regular driving style, therefore similar to the ‘typical use of a SUV of this type. And we consumed on average 15.5 kWh/100 km, for a mileage of almost 6.5 km/kWh. This allows an estimated autonomy at almost 400 km, with an outside temperature which, during this test, was around 25 ° C.

Smart #1 Brabus: curiosity

The fox as a virtual assistant reminded us of Microsoft computers with the Windows operating system of the 1990s, where a dog or trombone appeared to make suggestions. After all, the choice of fox is linked to the fact that this animal is considered intelligent, cunning: it is “smart”, in English.

Another curiosity, certain solutions inspired by Tesla, such as setting up the mirrors using a touch screen and a method of operating the air conditioning designed to leave an animal inside the parked car.

Finally, the Smart #1 in Premium finish and Launch Edition is equipped with silicon carbide components in the engine and the inverters, as well as in the heat pump, which resist high temperatures better and improve energy efficiency. The WLTP autonomy declared for the Premium finish and Launch Edition thus increases 440 km, against 420 km for Smart #1 in Pro + finish (and 400 km for Smart #1 Brabus).

Smart #1 Brabus: Price

The price list starts at € 40,650 with the 272 hp engine and the rear propulsion, in pro +finish, and goes to 44,150 € in finish. Premium Trim equipment, at 45,450 euros from the Edition launch and up to 48,150 euros for the 428 hp brabus with all -wheel drive.

We drove with the smart #1 Brabus, the first ultra powerful Smart Electric SUV of Smart

CAP change for Smart which launches its very first compact 100% electric SUV. The smart #1 inaugurates a new design and is available once again in a powerful Brabus version that we have tried.

After a first 100% electric Fortwo which has not frankly convinced, Smart adopts a new strategy to the point of denying to its initial concept. Exit the small car capable of park practically anywhere (ignoring the FORFOUR) and now places at the essential SUV, a body whose success cannot be denied. Another consequent change, Smart emancipates (a little) from Mercedes and has teamed up with the Chinese manufacturer Geely to develop this new generation.