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Pros: Upmarket cabin, fun to drive, practical.
Cons: Range compromised for performance, expensive.
Smart #3 Brabus Design
Smart is a relative newcomer to Ireland and its next model to launch here is the #3. It’s a larger crossover than the Smart #1, with a sleeker design. It’s in fact wider, longer and lower that its smaller sibling. It’s still very recognisable as a Smart, with the same style of light bar at the front and rear that does a jazzy light-up sequence every time you lock and unlock the car. The high-performance Brabus model’s sporty makeover includes design nods to classic hot hatchbacks - a vent in the front bonnet, front splitter, sporty sills, roof spoiler and 20-inch alloy wheels with red brake calipers. Like standard versions, bi-tone colour options are available with a contrasting roof colour.
Smart #3 Brabus Interior
The cabin has a cosy, sporty feel helped by gorgeous leather and suede seats with red seatbelts, a Brabus-branded Alcantara trimmed steering wheel with red stitching, and aluminium pedals. The centre console is high and features a covered, chilled cubby hole, two cupholders and a wireless smartphone charging pad, with even more storage underneath. Just like the #1, the #3 gets a large touchscreen that’s packed with menus and functionality. The graphics are bright and colourful, while a cute cheetah avatar responds to voice commands. Shortcut buttons underneath give quick access to driving modes, climate settings and vehicle settings, though all this is done through touch control. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto also feature. There’s also a slim digital driver display and head-up display. The #3 Brabus comes well equipped with a panoramic glass roof, Beats sound system, 360 camera, heated steering wheel, and heated and ventilated front seats with power adjustment and memory function.
There’s even more rear passenger space in the #3 compared to the #1, which should make it a more practical option for small families. There’s plenty of legroom and headroom for adults in the back. Isofix child seat fixtures can be found on the two outer seats and the front passenger seat. The boot opens in a handy hatchback style and can carry 370 litres, which is similar to a Volkswagen ID.3. It has a wide opening but is quite shallow, which may limit its practicality for stacking larger items. But there is a handy underfloor compartment to store the charging cables out of sight. A powered tailgate also comes as standard.
Smart #3 Brabus Performance & Drive
The Brabus is the most powerful of the entire #3 range and is part of a breed of high-performance electric cars that offer supercar-rivalling acceleration. Its dual motor set-up produces a whopping 428hp and 543Nm of torque, which is good for a 0-100 km/h sprint in just 3.7 seconds. Slot it into Brabus mode and the acceleration is truly out of this world. There’s also launch control aptly named ‘Rocket Launch’ and a synthetic engine note that offers a choice of sound or can be turned off completely if you prefer. On the road, the #3 Brabus feels more mature than the #1 and its larger size brings more comfort for longer journeys, though there is road noise at high speeds on the motorway. The handling is incredibly sharp and it turns tightly into corners, like any good hot hatchback should. It’s tremendous fun to drive.
There is some compromise to range for all this performance. The official range for the Brabus is up to 415 kilometres (WLTP) from its 62kWh lithium ion battery, versus up to 455 kilometres for the best of the single motor #3s. A Tesla Model 3 Performance will go further on a single battery charge. Efficiency also varies depending on how hard you drive it. Our average consumption over several hundred kilometres of driving was 18.3 kWh, which translates to a real world range of about 340 kilometres.
There’s standard 22kW AC charging, while fast charging is up to 150kW for a 10-80% charge in about 30 minutes.
Smart #3 Brabus Pricing
The Smart #3 Brabus is available from €56,500. It's not a huge price jump from the #1 Brabus (from €54,170).
For reference, at the time of writing the #3 range starts from €38,714 for the Pro with a smaller battery that gives a range up to 325 kilometres (WLTP). The Pro+ with a larger battery offers more range (up to 435 kilometres WLTP) and retails from €43,821.
Carzone Verdict
The Smart #3 Brabus offers great style and an upmarket cabin, while being incredibly fast and sharp to drive. It’s more practical and grown-up than the #1, but still with plenty of charm. It all comes at a price however and range is compromised for performance. But overall it’s one of the most exciting compact electric performance models on sale