In a surprise unveiling, Brabus, the well known German aftermarket supercar tuner, released their most advanced take on the Smart Eq Fortwo Cabrio ever, the Ultimate E. This latest iteration is, as all other Brabus initiatives, a special edition, in this case with production limited to just 50 examples. In the past, we've seen Brabus totally change the character of their Smart based products to something considerably more visceral and voracious. They've taken the Ultimate E in a new direction, though, and it's fascinating.
Ultimate E Isn't About All Out Power
What most expect from a storied company like Brabus is something in line with their enhanced Mercedes Supercars that have been imbued with more power than the Gods. This Ultimate E is completely different. Power is up from the standard model, from 80 bhp to a whopping 91. Surely that's enough to feel but it's not much compared to previous Brabus Smart cars like the 125R. Speed is improved, albeit only slightly, again from a 0 to 60 time of 11.6 down to 10.9. For the $58,710 price tag that sure seems like not enough grunt. Nevertheless, the Ultimate E makes up for it by improving every other part of the car too.
Ultimate In Every Aspect
With a wider track, giant 18" wheels that nearly don't fit, and the most luxurious interior a Smart car has ever known, it's clear that Brabus focused on making the ultimate city car here. That's further demonstrated by the fact that in every statistical category, the Ultimate E is considerably better than the standard car it's based on.
The range has been increased from a maximum of 58 miles with the standard car to 78 miles. The interior is seriously well appointed and every little detail has clearly been cared for. The door sills have illuminated Brabus badges, the dash has your personal build number stamped on it, and those wheels aren't just for show. They're among the lightest in the world of their size with the fronts weighing just under 15lbs and the rears weighing just under 16lbs. What that means for drivers is that when they're in this thing it won't just feel like it's special, it will actually be very special.
Ultimate E is Perhaps The Best City Car Ever
If you had to choose one car to live in a tight, cramped, metropolis, it would be tough to find a better option than the Brabus. Thanks to its combination of electric efficiency, exceptional handling, and opulent interior it's at the top of the mountain. No other car does this much for this price. The Tesla Model 3 is a great car but it costs around the same money and will be harder to park, not nearly as rare, and not in the same universe when it comes to interior quality. The regular Smart car is just as easy to park but misses both those other marks as well. Pricing might seem high to some, but for the ultimate city car, the Ultimate E has done its namesake well.
Sources: Brabus