From Smart to dart: the Brabus Ultimate 112

The new BRABUS 112 is positioned to be the ultimate city sports car. Based on the Smart ForTwo, the new BRABUS combines aesthetic updates with performance upgrades. The front spoiler, rocker panels, and BRABUS WIDESTAR fender flares all around combine to give the new 112 a wider, muscular stance. Custom paint and 18" wheels add to the aggressive, sporty appearance. The relatively gigantic wheels are wrapped in low-profile 235/30 high-performance tires, which, combined with the specially-tuned, height-adjustable suspension, help ensure the sporty little cube stays rubber-side down.

Under the hood you'll find a 3-cylinder turbocharged to yield 110hp at 5750rpm. Torque of 150Nm is available over a rather flat curve from 2800 to 4200rpm. Performance, while not precisely exhilarating, is brisk: 0-60 km/h comes in 3.9s, 0-100km/h in 9.5s, with top speed electronically limited to 170km/h. The driver can either let the automatic gearbox do the shifting, or get involved in the action with steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters. Sweet sounds are included in this package, with a tuned dual-pipe stainless steel exhaust standard.

As befits a sports-luxury car, the tiny BRABUS 112 also includes such creature comforts as black BRABUS Mastik leather, climate control, stereo system, and satellite navigation. With a €45,900 price tag, the limited-run of 112 cars will be hard to come by so those interested had better act quickly.