Brabus Smart Car Buyer’s Guide: Specs, Top Speed, Horsepower & Worth It?

The Brabus badge on a Smart car used to mean slightly quicker city driving. Now it means a family SUV that can out-accelerate a Porsche.

That shift didn’t happen overnight. For nearly two decades, Brabus Smart cars were charming oddities—slightly faster Fortwos with bigger wheels and sportier seats. Fun, but never genuinely fast. The electric era changed everything. Today’s Smart #1, #3, and #5 Brabus models deliver acceleration figures that would have seemed absurd from a Smart badge just a few years ago. This guide cuts through the marketing and gives you the real numbers, the real costs, and an honest answer on whether the Brabus premium is worth your money.

TL;DR

The modern Brabus Smart lineup is genuinely rapid. The #1 Brabus does 0-62 mph in 3.9 seconds with 428 hp. The #3 Brabus is even quicker at 3.7 seconds. The #5 Brabus packs a massive 637 hp and hits 62 mph in 3.8 seconds. All three are limited to around 112-130 mph. The old Fortwo Brabus? A much humbler 9.9 seconds and 96 mph. The Brabus premium buys you serious performance, distinctive styling, and a more engaging cabin—but it also costs more, reduces range, and firm up the ride.

Key Takeaways

• Modern Brabus Smarts are proper performance machines. The #1, #3, and #5 Brabus all dip below 4 seconds to 62 mph.
• The #3 Brabus is the quickest of the bunch at 3.7 seconds, thanks to 428 hp and all-wheel drive.
• The #5 Brabus is the most powerful Smart ever made, with 637 hp and a 3.8-second sprint.
• Top speed is electronically limited across the range—usually around 112 mph for the #1 and #3, and 130 mph for the #5.
• The Fortwo Brabus was a different animal entirely—charming, but with a 9.9-second 0-60 time and a 96 mph top speed.
• The Brabus premium costs range. Expect roughly 40 km (25 miles) less WLTP range than equivalent non-Brabus models.
• Worth it? If you want the quickest, most distinctive version of an already good EV, yes. If you prioritize range and comfort, the standard models make more sense.

From Fortwo to #5: How Brabus Smart Cars Changed

The Original Fortwo Brabus: Charm Without Speed

The first Brabus-tuned Fortwo that really mattered arrived with the second-generation car around 2008. Mercedes-Benz’s own press material laid out the numbers clearly: a 999cc three-cylinder turbo producing 98 bhp, a 0-62 mph time of 9.9 seconds, and a top speed electronically limited to 155 km/h (96 mph) .

That was a meaningful improvement over the standard Fortwo, which took around 13 seconds to reach 60 mph. But it was still slower than almost every hot hatch on sale. Reviews at the time noted that the Fortwo Brabus understeered constantly and could lose grip on rough roads—the chassis never quite matched the badge’s ambitions .

Here’s an ownership tip if you’re shopping used: The Fortwo Brabus is best appreciated as a character car, not a performance car. Buy it for the look, the exclusivity, and the way it makes you smile in city traffic. Don’t buy it expecting to win drag races.

The Electric Revolution: #1, #3, and #5 Brabus

The modern era is a completely different story. Smart’s partnership with Geely gave the brand access to a proper EV platform, and Brabus wasted no time extracting serious performance from it.

Smart #1 Brabus arrived first. With dual motors producing 428 hp (315 kW) and 543 Nm of torque, it hits 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds . Top speed is limited to 180 km/h (112 mph) . That’s quicker than a Volkswagen Golf R and roughly on par with a Tesla Model Y Performance.

Smart #3 Brabus took things further. The coupe-SUV body houses the same 428 hp dual-motor setup, but the sprint to 100 km/h drops to 3.7 seconds . Smart even gave it a “Rocket Launch Mode” for maximum acceleration from a standstill . Top speed remains limited to 180 km/h.

Smart #5 Brabus is the new flagship. It packs a staggering 637 hp (475 kW) and 710 Nm of torque from its dual-motor all-wheel-drive system . Despite weighing over 2.3 tonnes, it reaches 62 mph in 3.8 seconds. Top speed is limited to 130 mph (210 km/h) . The 800-volt architecture allows 400 kW DC charging, taking the 100 kWh battery from 10-80% in about 18 minutes .

“The Smart #5 Brabus combines an all-wheel-drive system with a fully electric powertrain capable of delivering 475kW (or 637bhp in old money), and a 0-62mph time of just 3.8 seconds with the help of Launch Control.” — Top Gear

Comparison Table: Brabus Smart Specs by Model

Model	Power	0-62 mph	Top Speed	Range (WLTP)	Battery
Fortwo Brabus (2008-era)	98 hp	9.9 sec	96 mph	N/A (gas)	N/A
#1 Brabus	428 hp (315 kW)	3.9 sec	112 mph	~400 km	66 kWh
#3 Brabus	428 hp (315 kW)	3.7 sec	112 mph	~415 km	66 kWh
#5 Brabus	637 hp (475 kW)	3.8 sec	130 mph	~540 km	100 kWh

Data sourced from Smart official materials, Brabus, and reviewed publications .

Is the Brabus Worth It? The Real Trade-Offs

What You Gain

The Brabus treatment isn’t just about power. Every Brabus Smart gets a comprehensive visual and tactile upgrade. You get aggressive bumpers, larger wheels, sportier seats with microfibre trim, an Alcantara steering wheel, and enough Brabus badges to remind you (and everyone else) that you didn’t buy the base model .

The #3 Brabus, for example, adds a full bodykit, 19-inch wheels, and a Beats sound system as standard . The #5 Brabus goes further with a 20-speaker Sennheiser system, simulated engine sounds, and a “Rocket” launch function .

The performance difference is real and immediately noticeable. A 3.7-second sprint in a compact SUV feels genuinely absurd in the best way. You notice it every time you merge onto a highway or leave a stoplight.

What You Give Up

Range takes a hit. The #1 Brabus is rated at around 400 km WLTP, compared to 440 km for the Premium model . That’s a 40 km penalty for the extra power and all-wheel drive. In real-world driving, especially if you enjoy the acceleration, expect the gap to widen.

The ride is firmer. Brabus models get sportier suspension tuning. Reviews consistently note that the #3 Brabus is firmer than standard but still liveable for daily driving . The #1 Brabus has been described as having a “surprisingly gentle ride” despite its performance capabilities .

You pay more. The #1 Brabus costs roughly RM40,000 more than the Premium in Malaysia, for example—a significant premium for the performance and styling upgrades . In Europe, the #5 Brabus starts around €60,900 in Germany .

The Verdict

Buy the Brabus if:

• You want the quickest, most distinctive version of your chosen Smart model
• You value the visual upgrades and interior touches
• You’re comfortable sacrificing some range for performance
• You enjoy the occasional (legal) launch control moment

Skip the Brabus if:

• Maximum range is your priority
• You prefer a softer, more comfort-focused ride
• You don’t care about sub-4-second acceleration in a daily driver
• The price premium stretches your budget uncomfortably

Real-World Ownership Considerations

Charging

All Brabus EV models support DC fast charging. The #1 and #3 Brabus accept up to 150 kW, charging from 10-80% in about 30 minutes . The #5 Brabus supports up to 400 kW, hitting 10-80% in roughly 18 minutes under optimal conditions .

AC charging is capped at 22 kW on the #1 and #3, which is faster than most home wallboxes can deliver but useful at public AC stations .

Interior and Practicality

The Brabus models don’t sacrifice practicality for performance. The #1 Brabus has a 313-litre boot, which is modest but adequate for city living . The #3 Brabus offers 370 litres, expanding to 1,160 litres with the rear seats folded . The #5 Brabus is the roomiest, with a proper SUV-sized cargo area.

One quirk worth knowing: The #1 Brabus has a “frunk” so small that only a folded charging cable fits . Don’t expect Tesla-level front storage.

Safety reminder: The instant torque of these electric Brabus models can catch you off guard in wet or slippery conditions. Smooth inputs matter, even with all-wheel drive.

FAQ

How fast is the Smart #1 Brabus?
The #1 Brabus hits 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.9 seconds with 428 hp. Top speed is electronically limited to 180 km/h (112 mph).

How fast is the Smart #3 Brabus?
The #3 Brabus is the quickest Smart currently available, reaching 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds. It shares the same 428 hp dual-motor setup as the #1 Brabus.

How fast is the Smart #5 Brabus?
The #5 Brabus produces 637 hp and accelerates to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds. Top speed is limited to 130 mph (210 km/h).

How fast was the original Fortwo Brabus?
The second-generation Fortwo Brabus (around 2008) had 98 hp, a 0-62 mph time of 9.9 seconds, and a top speed of 96 mph.

Does the Brabus version reduce range?
Yes. The #1 Brabus is rated at approximately 400 km WLTP, compared to 440 km for the Premium model—a 40 km reduction.

Is the Brabus Smart worth the extra money?
It depends on your priorities. You get significantly more performance, distinctive styling, and a sportier interior. You sacrifice some range and ride comfort. Test drive both versions before deciding.

References

Brabus Smart Car Specifications and Reviews:

• Mercedes-Benz — smart fortwo BRABUS Official Press Information
• Smart Europe — #1 Brabus Technical Specifications
• Top Gear — Smart #5 Brabus Review
• Paul Tan — Smart #1 Premium vs Brabus Comparison

Own a Brabus Smart? Share your real-world range and performance experience in the comments below.