When a tech product is going through stages of its development, the first generation of products or ‘version 1’ are usually somewhat experimental with room for improvement and a sharp price tag. Then there is the next step, ‘version 2’, products are now better and somehow more affordable.
With that adage in mind, let’s think about fun EVs. Firstly, by “fun EVs”, I mean those that were designed for driving enjoyment rather than just the addition of another motor to deliver a faster 0-100 time. The first batch of these “fun EVs” were very pricey indeed but now that we’re past that hurdle, manufacturers are are bringing out their ‘version twos’, more affordable yet fun electric vehicles. Enter, the smart #1 Brabus.
Those of you familiar with high performance vehicles will know Brabus as the name behind some maniacal Mercedes-Benz, Range Rover and Porsche products just to name a few. Remember of course that these modifications were always done aftermarket rather than direct from factory. smart of course have a history with Brabus as well, having had models roll out of the factory wearing the infamous tuner’s name. The #1 continues that tradition, it came out of the factory with Brabus modifications and badges.
smart’s New Zealand offering includes two models thus far, the #1 and #3 which we have reviewed previously. Both are available in Pro, Premium and Brabus trims with the sporty range toppers bringing a whole host of upgrades over the other variants. So even though so much has changed for the smart brand in their latest iteration, I for one am glad that this aspect has remained the same!
Brabus has always been bold when it comes to presentation of their products and they haven’t shied away from that ethos in their treatment of the #1. Not that smart would have wanted that anyway as the brand does not exist to blend in, it exists to be different. And that it certainly is, the #1 looks distinctive with its boxy yet curved proportions, it treads the line between being a large hatchback and a small SUV.
The #1 measures in at 4.3m long, 1.82m wide and 1.64m tall so on paper its dimensions are certainly more reflective of a large hatchback. In person, the Brabus spec brings a two tone exterior paint job, my review model was specified in Meta Black with a Radient Red roof, a combination that defines the cars lines and one that certainly earns my vote. It is not an understated car but the flipside is that you have colours that announce a certain sporting prowess to onlookers, of which the #1 Brabus catches the eye of many.
While the exterior is a sight to behold for onlookers, the interior serves up the same treat for its occupants. A large flowing centre console is reminiscent of the firm that designed the #1 but that’s where Brabus takes over, giving the rest of the interior a dose of red, a rather healthy dose I should say. Red stitching appears on the dashboard, seats and door cards. The steering wheel is also outlined in the same, with the outer rim coated with Alcantara for an extra sporty feel. A backlit Brabus logo on the central spoke also adds some extra flair at night.
There’s plenty more where that came from too with the Alcantara headrests featuring a statement ‘B’ logo stitched in red, the seatbelts are also in the same colour. Personally, I’m glad to see coloured seatbelts, they are an often overlooked design feature. For those that want even more red, the ambient interior lighting has a host of shades to choose from and also acts to highlight the Beats Audio speaker housing on the pillar.
For lighting choices and more, you have to turn to the 12.8 inch infotainment screen which is brisk in its response although can appear a bit busy for first time users. This is a place you will want to get familiar with because it allows you to dull down the safety warnings when setting up your own profile. If left unsupervised, the warnings will get on your nerves so make sure you do use that feature. However, the screen is also the place to go when choosing a sound output option for the car, of which there are two, both adding a bit of flavour to your drive.
Speaking of driving flavour, the #1 Brabus has plenty. Even on the launch, it urged the driver to take the scenic backroad rather than the motorway. Personally, I recommend choosing the ‘classic’ sound setting for the best driving experience. While one can be critical of fake noise on an EV, this feedback is an extremely important part of the drive for me and in saying that, smart must be commended for their work on this. The noise is there when you want it, during times of acceleration, it backs off just as your foot does from the throttle.
315kW of power and 543Nm of torque means the 0-100 sprint can be achieved in 3.9s. Yes, it’s mighty quick but then again, a lot of EVs are in a straight line. When the road starts turning, that’s when the #1 Brabus comes into its own, a 50:50 weight distribution and intelligent All-Wheel Drive system make this thing genuinely fun! When you’re not putting your foot to the floor in Brabus mode, the 66kWhr battery delivers 400km of range on paper with a combined efficiency figure of 18.2 kWhr/100km, although once again I recorded a significantly lower figure of 15.5kWhr/100km during my time with the car!
The Verdict
smart’s #1 Brabus is a genuinely fun EV both in the way it looks and the way it drives. It has a youthful feel, one that urges you to be cheeky and push the pedal a little harder on occasion, giving you some vocal feedback along the way. If this is version 2 in EV development and an indication of the direction that sporty EVs are heading in then I hope that there’s plenty more where this came from!
2025 smart #1 Brabus: 4.5/5
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Car courtesy of smart New Zealand. Words and photos by Matthew D’Souza.
