SMART HASHTAG 3 ESTATE 315kW Brabus 66kWh 5dr Auto

The ultimate smart #3 is this one, the BRABUS. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Review

The fastest BRABUS version of the smart #3 offers 422bhp, striking looks and a bespoke-feeling cabin. Whether all that's enough to justify its price and existence will be a very personal decision.

Background

BRABUS used to mean something rather different when it came to smart. For years, the German tuner's name was used on top versions of the little fortwo citycar that were hardly any more powerful than the standard models. But then came the Geely takeover of the brand and a new EV era that required the top sporting models to be properly differentiated. Which was when we got the 428hp smart #1 BRABUS. And then, in late 2023, the similarly-powered smart #3 BRABUS model we look at here. That's a pretty substantial power output for a car of this size, so you'd hope that more would have been done here than just simply installing the same potent electric motor. Whether a compact EV really needs to be this powerful is another question entirely.

Driving Experience

The BRABUS badge suggests a bespoke tuner's drivetrain but in fact the powerplant here is simply from the Geely parts bin (already used by the Volvo EX30 Twin Motor model that shares this car's same SEA Chinese-designed platform). The 422bhp dual motor system output of this top smart #3 (and the frantic 3.7s 0-62mph sprint time) are much the same as that Volvo, but the 258 mile EV range figure is a substantial 28 miles less. Thanks to the monstrous 543Nm torque figure, overtakes are of the 'see it and do it' instant variety. But while there's much more poise and cornering traction through the bends than the standard #3 (as you'd expect given this BRABUS model's dual motor system), the handling isn't as tactile as the kind of comparably-priced combustion super hot hatch (like say a Golf R) that Luddites might consider as an alternative. A lot of this is down to extra EV weight, but some of it can additionally be blamed on the slightly lifeless steering. It's also because little work has been done to re-tune the steering and reconfigure the tyres for this top version. To distract you from all this, smart provides an extra fiery 'BRABUS' drive mode and a rortier fake drivetrain note.

Design and Build

The look of this BRABUS #3 variant could sell it to you as much as the wild powertrain might. You get the idea that this is how the #3 designers originally intended for the car to look. In contrast to the rather apologetic look at the conventional model, you get a bolder two-tone red and black paint finish, more aggressive front and rear bumpers, a more pronounced rear spoiler, an extra vent in the nose and large 20-inch wheels featuring red brake calipers. Inside, it's just like the #1 BRABUS, so you get lots of red accents, plus red seat belts, perforated suede upholstery and B badging throughout. Even ordinary #3s get quite a low seat positioning and that works really well with the #3 BRABUS, making it much sportier-feeling than the #1 BRABUS model, which sits you up a lot higher. A head-up display is standard-fit. Otherwise, it's much as in any other #3. So physical switchgear is scarce, with almost everything controlled through the freestanding 12.8-inch central touchscreen. Also common with the #1 is the narrow letterbox-shaped digital instrument display you view through the three- spoke wheel. A panoramic glass roof is standard and there's a decent amount of cabin storage space, with nice touches like an air conditioned cubby under the central armrest keep your chocolate cool. The back seat feels more spacious than the swept-back roofline suggests it might be - for heads and legs. But the bench doesn't slide like it does in a #1 and you wouldn't want to have to cram in a centre-seated adult. Boot space is on the small side, rated at 370-litres, though that's actually 47-litres more than you get in a #1.

Market and Model

You're going to need to really want this top BRABUS version of the #3 because the price is pitched right up in premium territory - around £45,000 at the time of this Review. That's around £5,000 more than the top version in the standard #3 range, the 62kWh 'Premium Pro' variant. This BRABUS model goes up against performance small EVs like its cousin the Volvo EX30 Twin Motor, plus the MG4 XPOWER, the CUPRA Born VZ, the Volkswagen ID3 GTX, the Abarth 600e and the Alpine A290. We've covered all the additional BRABUS model features in our 'Driving' and 'Design' sections. These are of course in addition to those items you get on other #3 models. Which include 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 a wireless 'phone charger and a 13-speaker 640-watt Beats sound system. And the cabin has 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 283 (for the 'Premium' version) to 258 miles (10 miles more than a #1 BRABUS). But otherwise, things are much as with the ordinary mid-range 'Premium'-spec #3 variant. The 150kW charging speed looks good, 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 41 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

BRABUS badging should denote specific BRABUS engineering. For the present, we're not sure here that it does. But if all you want is a smart #3 that goes a lot faster and looks better in the gym car park, that may not matter. It's a mark of the current performance benchmarks in this part of the EV market that 422bhp isn't actually that unusual in this segment. What would be unusual would be a small electric vehicle thoroughly engineered to rewardingly handle all that power. The smart #3 BRABUS isn't quite that car, but we think it could be if smart were to put a bit more investment into creating BRABUS as a proper performance sub-division of its brand. It'll be interesting to see if that happens.

Body Glass

Rear wiper

Side and rear window privacy glass

Rain sensing wipers

Brakes

Anti-lock brake system

Electronic traction control

Red painted brake calipers

Cornering brake control

Electronic Stability Programme

Emergency brake assist

Downhill Assist Control (DAC)

Hill assist control

Regenerative braking system

Electric parking brake

Power assisted brakes

Parking emergency brake

Electronic brake distribution

Autohold

Front collision mitigation

Rear collision mitigation

Ventilated disc brakes

Chassis/Suspension

s-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

Electric power assisted steering (EPAS)

360 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

Drive modes: ECO, Comfort, Sport, Brabus

Driver Convenience

Gesture tailgate

Driver Information

Driver monitoring system

Traffic jam assist

e-Call (emergency call)

Intelligent voice assistant

10" head-up display

9.2" HD instrument cluster

12.8" central display screen

Driving Mirrors

Automatic dimming door mirrors

Auto dimming interior rear view mirror

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

Embellishment Trims

Man made leather wrapped instrument panel

Engine

Simulated engine sound

Entertainment

13 speakers

DAB Digital radio

Beats audio system

4 USB ports

Exterior Body Features

Frameless Doors

Illuminated door handles

Active grille shutters

Rear side wing doors

Concealed door handles

Halo panoramic sunroof

Heat protected sunroof

Roof carrier fixing points

Sporty bodystyle

Frunk (15L)

Exterior Lights

LED tail lights

Adaptive high beam assist

LED DRL

Auto headlights

Dynamic indicators

LED 3rd brake light

CyberSparks LED+ Matrix headlights

Courtesy lights with logo projection

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Heat pump

2 zone automatic air conditioning

Air quality system

Air filter+

PM2.5 sensor

Interior Features

Retractable load area cover

Manually adjustable steering column

Rear centre armrest with cupholders

Alcantara steering wheel

Illuminated stainless steel tread plates

Centre console cupholders

Overhead console with sunglasses stowage

Sports-style steering wheel

Microfiber suede upholstery

Rear seat load-through access

Center console with air vent cooling

Sport style pedals

Front 12V port

Trunk 12V port

Interior Lights

Reading lights

Ambient lighting+

Safety

First aid kit

Warning triangle

Front side airbags

Door open warning

Side curtain airbags

3x3 point rear seatbelts

Seatbelt height adjustment for front seats

Tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS)

Front airbags

Child locks

Anti-Roll system

Far-side airbag

Safety vest

Seats

Heated front seats

Front headrests

Rear headrests

Front passenger isofix child seat attachment

Driver seat memory function

Ventilated front seats

3 seat bench in 2nd row

Rear ISOFIX

Rear seat 40/60 split

Single front passenger seat

6-way powered adjustable driver and passenger seat with lumbar support

Rear seat angle adjustment

Easy entry and exit seat adjustment

Security

Anti theft alarm

Keyless entry

2 keyfobs

Anti theft immobiliser

Anti theft internal monitor

Anti theft steering wheel lock

Towing

Trailer stability assist

Vehicle Charging

22kW onboard charger

Bluetooth plug and charge

Charging port cover

Intelligent power management

Smart charge at street

Wheels

Summer tyres

Wheels - Alloy

20'' Synchro 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: 342

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb: 415

WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb: 28.3

WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb: 2.2

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - City: 213

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb: 258

Battery Capacity % guaranteed under warranty: 70

Charging Port Location: Left 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: N

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 999999

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: 41E

Timing Belt Interval Mileage: N

Timing Belt Interval Frequency - Months: N

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: 90

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: 86

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: 84

NCAP Safety Assist %: 85

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: 5

Badge Power: 315

Badge Engine CC: 0.0

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Generation Mark: 1

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: No

Performance

0 to 62 mph (secs): 3.7

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: 245/40 R20

Tyre Size Rear: 245/40 R20

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Wheel Type: 20" ALLOY

Wheel Style: Synchro

Alloys?: No

Space Saver?: 0

Vehicle Dimensions

Length: 4400

Width: 1844

Wheelbase: 2785

Width (including mirrors): 2045

Height: 1556

Height (including roof rails): N

Weight and Capacities

Minimum Kerbweight: 1910

Gross Vehicle Weight: 2360

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): N

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 1600

Max. Loading Weight: 450

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 370

No. of Seats: 5

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 1160

Exterior Body Features

Matte paint

Roof - Eclipse black

Roof - Radiant red

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Digital white

Metallic - Meta black

Metallic - Laser red

Metallic - Photon orange

Paint - Special

Matte - Atom grey

Trim - Cloth

Microfiber suede - Brabus dark grey with red stitching