We are only a few months away from the launch of the Smart #1 in Malaysia, and just today, we were lucky enough to spot what seems to be the Brabus version of the Smart #1. Fully wrapped in camouflage, the red brake calipers on the test mule giveaway the Brabus-tuned Smart #1’s identity.
It is no secret that the Smart brand is coming to Malaysia and that it will be managed by PRO-NET, which is Proton’s new energy subsidiary. In just a short amount of time, PRO-NET has announced 7 dealers for the Smart brand in Malaysia with Hap Seng Smart and EON Berhad as the first two candidates.
In Smart’s global EV range right now is the Smart #1 and Smart #3, with the latter being a coupe version of the former. The Smart #1 is a rear-wheel drive (RWD) electric car that makes 272 hp (metric) and 343 Nm and provides a 6.7-second century sprint time. The Smart #1 houses a 66-kWh battery pack that provides an all-electric driving range of 420-440 km on the WLTP test cycle.
The Brabus version of the Smart #1 adds another motor to the front axle, turning it into an all-whel drive (AWD) electric car. The souped up Smart #1 makes 315 kW (428 hp) and 543 Nm and does the century sprint in just 3.9 seconds. Power is sourced from the same 66-kWh battery pack and the Brabus Smart #1 has an electric range of 400 km (WLTP). According to Smart, charging from 10% to 80% will take around 30 minutes.
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If anything, the Brabus Smart #1 will be quite the interesting alternative to the dual-motor Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric. Other Brabus enhancenments include a newly developed steering wheel control that ensures maximum agility and millimeter precise steering, and a sport suspension system.
Besides being seen in camouflage on our Malaysian roads, the Smart #1 Brabuss has also been seen in official images released by Smart Malaysia, albeit shyly hiding from the camera. The Smart #1 will most likely be offered in its standard and Brabus configurations for the Malaysian market.
RELATED: Smart #1 scores 5-star Euro NCAP rating – Malaysia-launch in Q4 2023
