What's the news?
Smart has revealed a Brabus version of the Fortwo Cabrio at the Geneva show, but don't get too excited - it's a special edition featuring a styling package due for the rest of the range and if it ever came to Ireland, it would be outrageously expensive.
Exterior
Just 200 examples of the Smart Fortwo Cabrio Brabus Edition will be built. None are confirmed for Ireland yet (we don't even get Smart as a brand here) but let's do a little extrapolation: in its native Germany, a 90hp Twinamic Passion model of the cabrio is €17,665. This Brabus Edition is a colossal €29,950. Ouch.
So what do you get for that money? Not a huge amount, truth be told. Outside, the Brabus is finished in an exclusive matte Light Blue finish, which coats everything - so, the body panels, the Tridion safety cell and the radiator grille. Its Tritop roof is Titanium Grey, another colour specific to the Brabus Edition, and it gets 16-inch front, 17-inch rear alloys. There's also a Brabus Edition badge in the mirror triangle.
Interior
The tiny cabin gets a black and blue theme, with imitation leather on the dashboard and fabric surfaces featuring a mesh structure. All of the trim parts are light blue, as is the stitching on the fascia and the seats.
Mechanicals
This Brabus Edition is essentially a 90hp Fortwo Cabrio Twinamic in Passion trim, plus the forthcoming Brabus Sports Package and some extra equipment; this comprises heated seats, a Stowage Space package, a Cool & Media package, the LED & Sensor package, the Comfort Package and a larger 35-litre fuel tank. There's no extra power but the suspension is dropped by 10mm.
Anything else?
Available to order in March before hitting dealerships in May, the Fortwo Cabrio Brabus Edition is pricey beyond reason. That's because the Brabus Sports Package will be offered on all Fortwo, Forfour and Cabrio models for either €1,900 (the Fortwos) or €2,000 (Forfour) on its own in April. It brings: a Brabus front spoiler and rear apron in body colour with a matte grey diffuser; Brabus sports suspension, lowering the car by that aforementioned 10mm; those Brabus Monoblock XI alloys in matte grey - these are 16-/17-inch front/rear on the Fortwos and 17-inches all round on the Forfour, presumably explaining the €100 difference in the pack price; the three-spoke multifunction leather steering wheel; a Brabus gear knob and handbrake lever in leather; and brushed stainless steel sports pedals. So why the 200-off Brabus Edition is so expensive, we can't really explain...