Yes thats right, normally %100 show and almost no go SMART has finally turned out a car that can justify the show and perhaps and then some. Brabus which is SMART's performance arm or their AMG has churned out their take on the Forfour or Brabus Forfour. (http://www.germancarfans.com/news.cfm/newsid/2050309.001/Smart/1.html)

Performance specs may suggest that this car is in line with the Mazda3 but tech and interior shows it is up against the Cobalt SS or ION Redline. Even though it may have a disadvantage in 0-60 and probably the 1/4 mile it clearly comes out as more practical.

This car also seems to coincide with SMART eminent official opening in the US, (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5217861/) since one business has been importing Fortwos (http://www.zapworld.com/about/news/news_firstsmartdelivered.asp) in since spring.

http://www.spiegel.de/img/0,1020,434990,00.jpg
http://www.pappas.at/stuff/pappas/news/smart_forfour_BRABUS_02.jpg

They were also planning to produce an SUV for the US market called the Formore, but the development of that model has seemed to be halted. (http://forums.autoweek.com/thread.jspa?forumID=31&threadID=14033) (pics are there as well)

Another model that is currently made by SMART and which has also been touched up by Brabus is the Roadster. Which has RWD, weighs less than 200lbs but has a standard motor of 90hp turbocharged .6l turbocharged 3 that goes 0-60 in 10.2 seconds. However, Brabus has produced a an 110hp version by primarily working on the ECU while also tweaking the suspention.

http://www.tiscali.co.uk/broadband/images/smart_roadster.jpg
http://www.capital.de/bilder/auto/galerien/cabrios/smart_roadster_back_c_gal_100304.jpg

However, lets just hope for SMART's sake price doesn't become a problem. :lalala:

It looks like they finally put a real manual into one of these cars, sweet! Thos cars areprobably pretty darn quick.

Never knew SMART never had a manual tranny in any of their models before that but then again I am not surprised.

To put it into shorter tence if SMART reaches the US, it will be like a bit more expensive Scion but two key advantages a cheap RWD convertible and coupe, not to mention a turbocharged package, unless TRD supplies superchargers or turbos for the xA/xB as well as Tc.

Perhaps if the Smart Roadster as well as MX-5 and Solstice get ample sales over the next spring and summer Toyota will consider oking a cheap RWD car for Scion.

So does anyone think this lineup will pose a threat to Scion of any kind when they open up shop in the US?

Or do you think like in Mercedes fashion will they be calling for too much buck for what bang these cars have when it comes to even other competition such as Mazda?

I just found out great review as well a nice photo shots from Edmunds (http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/articleId=107216#20) which also translated the stats among other things to more familiar numbers for more Americans. On a slightly disapointed note, one of the numbers is the price for a fully loaded Forfour Brabus, which is $30,700 sticker. Now, I have seen some UK mags with Ford Focus and not the RS models either going for roughly $21k US, so there is still hope yet for lower prices in the US which may be doubtful considering what mark this model is coming from as well as who and how much tuning went into it.

But still, doesn't a photo like this want to make you go down to Mexico to buy one? :love:
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/il/features/driving/smart.forfour.brabus/brabus.smart3.nk.500.jpg

Of course this is a Scion forum so I would also like to add that if the Toyota produces something like the Daihatsu Storia X4 or YRV Turbo. Unless I can do tuning that can give the xA those stats if not more radical for the right price. :pray:

In short I like everything about the vehicle except for the price, unless without the Satnav and other options it is considerably less.

I hope Toyota can bring to the US or being able to tune a car to turn out like while still retaining the warranty for the right price.

For those of you that haven't looked at the imediate results on Google by typing "forfour brabus" can also take a look at this in depth review. (http://www.channel4.com/4car/road-tests/driving-impressions-2005/S/smart-forfour-brabus/forfour-brabus-2.html) However among the bright points such as its 40mpg for what performance it offers there is also a not so good side note, it needs 98 octane to run at the full 177hp or else those number drop to about 160hp. In the US, not all gas stations have 98 octane as premium fuel, so unless you have a bottle of thylene, xylene or some octane boosting chemical liquid at hand you won't be able to unlock its full potential at every pump.

Either that or you, Smartcar or somebody can adjust the fuel and air timing of the Forfour Brabus. But then the fuel ecomony would probably drop a bit.

Btw, this is proabably one of the main factors that prevents some other EDM or JDM cars from coming to the US.