SMART HASHTAG 1 HATCHBACK 315kW Brabus 66kWh 5dr Auto

EV hot hatches are getting serious. Jonathan Crouch drives the smart #1 BRABUS.

Ten Second Review

The smart #1 gets angry in this hot hatch BRABUS form. It's an all wheel drive twin motor 428hp EV shopping rocket that claims to offer a glimpse into the future of the hot hatch. But does it?

Background

We're already beginning to get an idea of what the EV hot hatch market is going to look like. With modestly powered front motor models like the Abarth 500e and the Volkswagen ID.2 GTI at one end. And at the other, much quicker twin-motor all-wheel-drive contenders like the MG4 XPOWER and the subject of this test, the smart #1 BRABUS. BRABUS is a badge that's adorned smart models for two decades but, for this trendy brand at least, has never really meant very much in terms of increased power. Well it does here. 428hp promises some serious speed, the need for which you might question if you've driven an ordinary #1, not a car engineered for enthusiastic drivers. Can the BRABUS changes radically alter its personality? Let's see.

Driving Experience

Is a hot hatch merely about speed and power? If you think it is, then there's plenty to like here. In this case, the 'BRABUS' badge designates an almost completely different powertrain recipe for the #1, with an extra motor being added over the front wheels to create an EV dual motor AWD system, as part of which the power output leaps up to 428hp. And that's enough (if you select this variant's fieriest extra 'BRABUS' drive mode) to hurl a #1 BRABUS to 62mph in just 3.9s courtesy of 543Nm of torque. In class, only the MG4 XPOWER can match that - though that car can't quite equal a #1 BRABUS model's drive range, rated at 248 miles. This sporty #1 variant certainly proves the worth of this car's advanced 'SEA' Geely-sourced platform. But ultimately it's still not a credible EV hot hatch in the sense that combustion enthusiasts would understand. Partly that's because little work has been done to re-tune the steering and the tyres are much the same as you'll find on the eco-conscious variants. The smart engineers claim that the suspension settings have been revised to take account of the extra weight of the additional motor up-front, but the ride still isn't as firm and engaging as you might expect a hot hatch to be. Still, there's a rortier fake drivetrain note included with this model. Perhaps that'll be enough in compensation if you happen to be disappointed by these oversights.

Design and Build

The #1 BRABUS gets the expected cues to set it apart from the rather apologetic-looking standard #1 models. These include 19-inch wheels that actually look like wheels (rather than aerodynamic fairings). And red detailing on the front and rear diffusers. Red brake callipers add a finishing touch. Take a seat behind the wheel and apart from the microfibre suede upholstery and sports-style pedal, it's just as in a standard #1. There's no start button (the car simply senses your arrival) and, less surprisingly given that this is a Mercedes design, no centre console drive controller either, gear selection duties conducted by the Stuttgart brand's usual slim right hand stalk. Buttons are largely banished and instead of an instrument binnacle, you view a narrow letterbox-shaped 9.2-inch HD digital instrument screen though the jaunty three-spoke smart-branded wheel. That's complemented by a very advanced 12.8-inch central monitor with a 3D interface, over-the-air updates and even an animated fox that pops up above menus and boxes. Aside from screens, you'll not want for equipment. All versions get a so-called 'Halo' panoramic glass sunroof, which comes with a powered sunshade blind. And all you have to do is to avoid base trim to get smart manmade 'Duo leather' upholstery, plus niceties like a 10-inch head-up display, 64-colour ambient lighting and a 13-speaker 640-watt Beats sound system. There's plenty of cabin storage space too, with lidded compartments along the top of this centre console and a huge stowage area beneath large enough for a shopping carrier or a large handbag. Out back, thanks to the lengthy 4,027mm wheelbase, there's apparently more room than you'd get in a Mercedes E-Class executive saloon. And you get a decently-sized 273-litre boot.

Market and Model

You're going to need to really want this top BRABUS version of the #1 because the price is pitched right up in premium territory - around £43,500 at the time of this Review. This flagship model features a sporty body kit and its own 19-inch wheel design with red brake calipers. Inside, 'BRABUS'-spec is set apart by microfibre suede upholstery and sports-style pedals, plus you get a simulated engine sound under acceleration and an extra 'BRABUS' drive mode. That's in addition to all the features fitted to the single motor 'Premium'-spec version of this model. 'Which means you can tick off Matrix LED+ headlights with adaptive high beam; and Automatic Parking Assist, which will automatically slot the car into tight spaces. Plus there's a panoramic glass sunroof, illumination for the concealed door handles, scrolling dynamic indicators and gesture control for the powered tailgate. Inside, there's smart 'Duo leather' upholstery, a 10-inch head-up display, a wireless 'phone charger and a 13-speaker 640-watt Beats sound system. And the cabin's upgraded with extended 64-colour premium ambient lighting, illuminated door treadplates, and a leather steering wheel cover. On to safety provision. There's the usual 'Front & Rear Collision Mitigation' autonomous braking system, plus a whole host of stuff to keep you properly in lane - 'Lane Departure Warning', 'Lane Keep Assist', 'Emergency Lane Keep Assist', 'Lane Departure Prevention' and 'Lane Change Assist'. There's also 'Blind Spot Detection' and a Door Open Warning feature. Semi-autonomous drive stuff includes 'Traffic Jam Assist' (which will basically drive the car for you in low speed stop-start traffic); and 'Highway Assist' (which will do the same kind of thing at cruising speeds). Plus there's 'Intelligent Speed Assist', which (if set) will use the standard 'Traffic Sign Recognition' system to automatically adjust your speed to posted limits.

Cost of Ownership

Opting for this weightier BRABUS model inevitably means a small drop in driving range - from 273 to 248 miles. But otherwise, things are much as with the ordinary mid-range 'Premium'-spec #1 variant. The 150kW charging speed looks good (it's class-leading in fact), which allows for a 10-80% DC super charging time of just 30 minutes. The 66kWh battery (only 62kWh of which is usable) takes just 3 hours to replenish itself from 10-80% from an AC supply, thanks to the 22kW AC charge power system that comes fitted. Full battery replenishment by the way, takes a lot longer: a 7.4kW garage wallbox needs 12 hours 45 minutes to completely charge the battery from empty to full. As usual with an EV, the car slots into a low 2% Benefit-in-Kind taxation bracket. And is exempt from road fund licence, London Congestion Charge and London ULEZ charges until 2025. Insurance is group 39 for this top 'BRABUS' variant. What about the peace of mind you'd want from a potentially unfamiliar brand? Well there's a three-year unlimited mileage warranty; an 8 year / 125,000 mile battery warranty; and every car comes with an Integrated Service Package covering servicing and wear-and-tear items for 3 years or 30,000 miles. Plus there's Roadside Assistance for up to 8 years or 100,000 miles, provided the car is maintained at a smart aftersales partner.

Summary

Somewhere here is potentially a great hot hatch, but the recipe in this case isn't quite complete. Creating a truly rewarding EV shopping rocket requires more than just adding an extra motor and upping the power output. And ultimately, the dynamic changes made here over the standard #1 aren't quite enough to provide it. Yet for all that, the #1 BRABUS can be huge fun, as long as you accept the limitations of what you're getting here. And for the time being, we prefer it to its most obvious rival, the wild but strangely unsatisfying MG4 XPOWER. But the bar in this segment is about to be raised. We hope future versions of this model can be fettled to keep pace.

Body Glass

Front intermittent wipers

Rain sensing windscreen wipers

Intermittent rear wiper

2 x One touch front electric windows

2 x One touch rear electric windows

Side window and rear windshield privacy glass

Brakes

Electronic traction control

Cornering brake control

Hill descent control

Hill start assist

Red brake calipers

Autonomous emergency braking

Regenerative braking system

Anti-lock braking system (ABS)

Electric parking brake

BAS (Brake Assist System)

Electrically operated hand brake

Parking emergency brake

Electronic brake distribution

Autohold

Ventilated disc brakes

Front and rear collision mitigation

Chassis/Suspension

Comfort suspension

e-Pedal

Communication

Wireless device charging

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

Bluetooth

Driver Aids

Adaptive cruise control with Stop and Go

Traffic sign recognition

Rear cross traffic alert

Intelligent speed assist

360 degree camera

Front Cross Traffic Alert

Lane departure warning

Lane change assist

Blind spot detection

Evasive manoeuvre support

12 front and rear parking sensors

Automatic parking assist

Smart pilot assist

Emergency lane keep assist+

Lane departure system

Bcall

Electrical power assist steering

Drive mode inc. ECO, Comfort, Sport and Brabus

Intelligent battery temperature control management system

Driver Convenience

Gesture tailgate

Driver Information

Trip computer

Telematics

Driver monitoring system

TFT display screen

Traffic jam assist

3D connected navigation + voice control

Emergency call service

10" head-up display

9.2" HD instrument cluster

12.8" central display screen

Driving Mirrors

Automatic dimming door mirrors

Automatic dimming interior mirror

Electrically adjustable, heated door mirrors with memory and reverse auto-dipping

Embellishment Trims

Man made leather wrapped instrument panel

Entertainment

13 speakers

DAB audio

Beats audio system

4 USB ports

Remote audio control

Exterior Body Features

Roof rails

Frameless Doors

Painted door mirrors

Active grille shutters

Rear side wing doors

Rear door lifting gate

Exterior body styling

Halo panoramic sunroof

Sporty bodystyle

Frunk

Illuminated concealed door handles

Electric halo roof blind

Exterior Lights

LED brake lights

LED daytime running lights

Adaptive high beam assist

LED tail lamp

Follow me home headlamps

Third brake light featuring LED technology

Dynamic indicators

LED low and high beam headlights

Headlight control with dusk sensor

Courtesy lights with logo projection

CyberSparks LED+ headlights

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Heat pump

2 zone automatic air conditioning

Air quality system

Air filter+

PM2.5 sensor

Interior Features

Loadspace cover

Multi function steering wheel

Front seat centre armrests

Manually adjustable steering column

Alcantara steering wheel

Illuminated stainless steel tread plates

Microfibre suede upholstery

Sports-style steering wheel

Rear seat load-through access

Center console with air vent cooling

Sport style pedals

Front 12V port

Trunk 12V port

Overhead console glasses storage

Rear air vents on center console

Centre console cup holders

Rear centre armrest with cup holders

Interior Lights

Ambient lighting+

Packs

Smart charge street package incl. RFID card

Safety

First aid kit

Warning triangle

Front side airbags

Door open warning

Tyre pressure monitoring system

Side curtain airbags

Child locks on rear doors

Airbags - driver and front passenger

3x3 point rear seat belts

Driver and passenger front seat belt pre tensioners

Anti-Roll system

Far-side airbag

Safety vest

Front seat belt height adjustment

Seats

Front and rear head restraints

Sliding rear seats

Isofix rear child seat preparation

60/40 split rear seats

3 seat rear bench

Ventilated front seats

Heated driver and passenger seats

Single front passenger seat

Driver memory seat

Rear seat angle adjustment

Easy entry and exit seat adjustment

6 Way powered driver and passenger seat adjustment with lumbar support

Front passenger seat ISOFIX

Security

Anti theft alarm

Keyless entry

2 keyfobs

Anti theft immobiliser

Anti theft internal monitor

Anti theft steering wheel lock

Towing

Trailer stability assist

Transmission

All Wheel Drive (AWD)

Vanity Mirrors

Illuminated passenger vanity mirror

Vehicle Charging

22kW onboard charger

22kW AC Charging

Bluetooth plug and charge

Charging port cover

Wheels

Summer tyres

Wheels - Alloy

19" Dynamo alloy wheels

Wheels - Spare

Tyre repair kit

Electric Vehicle Data

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Charge Time (Mins): 180

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Power Supply - kW: 22

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Percentage Change: 10-80

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Charge Time (Mins): 30

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Power Supply - kW: 150

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Percentage Change: 10-80

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Charge Time (Mins): N

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Power Supply - kW: N

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Percentage Change: N

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Charge Time (Mins): N

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Power Supply - kW: N

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Percentage Change: N

Coupler/Connector Type: CCS Type 2

Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Years: 8

Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Mileage: 125000

Battery Capacity in kWh: 66

Battery Leased: 0

Battery Type: Lithium-ion

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - City: 533

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb: 400

WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb: 18.2

WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb: 2.1

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - City: 331

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb: 248

Battery Capacity % guaranteed under warranty: 70

Charging Port Location: Right Side Rear

Usable Battery Capacity: 62

Maximum Charging Rate - kW: 150

Emissions - ICE

CO2 (g/km): 0

Standard Euro Emissions: N

CO: N

HC: N

NOx: N

HC+NOx: N

Particles: N

Engine and Drive Train

Cylinders - Bore (mm): N

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): N

CC: 1

Cylinders: N

Cylinder Layout: N

Number of Valves: N

Camshaft: N

Fuel Delivery: N

Catalytic Convertor: 0

Engine Layout: N

Compression Ratio: N

Transmission: AUTO

Gears: 1 SPEED

Engine Code: N

Fuel Consumption - ICE

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: N

EC Urban (mpg): N

EC Extra Urban (mpg): N

EC Combined (mpg): N

General

Coin Series: Brabus

Coin Description: 315kW 66kWh

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 999999

Manufacturers Paintwork Guarantee - Years: 3

Manufacturers Corrosion Perforation Guarantee - Years: 12

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Special Edition: 0

Special Order: 0

Based On ID: N

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 38E

Service Interval Mileage: 20000

Service Interval Frequency - Months: 24

Timing Belt Interval Mileage: N

Timing Belt Interval Frequency - Months: N

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: 96

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: 89

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: 71

NCAP Safety Assist %: 88

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: 5

Badge Power: 428

Badge Engine CC: 0.0

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Generation Mark: 1

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: No

Performance

0 to 62 mph (secs): 3.9

Top Speed: 112

Engine Power - BHP: 428

Engine Power - PS: No

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Power - KW: 315

Engine Power - RPM: 5500

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 401

Engine Torque - NM: 543

Engine Torque - RPM: 300

Engine Torque - MKG: 55.4

Test Cycles

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

RDE Certification Level: N/A

Tyres

Tyre Size Front: 235/45 R19

Tyre Size Rear: 235/45 R19

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Wheel Type: 19" ALLOY

Wheel Style: DYNAMO

Alloys?: No

Space Saver?: 0

Vehicle Dimensions

Length: 4300

Width: 1822

Wheelbase: 2750

Width (including mirrors): 2025

Height: 1636

Weight and Capacities

Minimum Kerbweight: 1900

Gross Vehicle Weight: 2370

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): N

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 1600

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 750

Max. Loading Weight: 470

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 313

No. of Seats: 5

Max. Roof Load: 50

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 976

Exterior Body Features

Matte paint

Roof - one tone colour

Roof - Eclipse black

Roof - Radiant red

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Digital white

Metallic - Meta black

Metallic - Cyber silver

Metallic - Laser red

Paint - Special

Matte - Atom grey

Towing

Trailer hitch

Trim - Cloth

Microfibre suede - Brabus