Edmunds 2008 Brabus Review Nov 29, 07

[pauly]

For your reading pleasure, the Edmunds review of the 2008 Brabus:

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...hotopanel..1.*

[lhoboy]

Good reading, thanks.

[spdickey]

Originally Posted by edmunds.com

The Stoplight Grand Prix
Smart's semiautomatic five-speed transmission has been improved by Brabus to quicken the switch between gear ratios by 20 percent, and both 1st and 5th have shorter ratios as well. That's good news for the stoplight grand prix, but not so good news for refinement. The jerk between ratios can become irritating, although if you lift off the throttle during upshifts, it's possible to make smooth progress... (emphasis added)

The US spec tranny has quickened the switch from 1 to 2 and 4 to 5 for smoother shifts and quicker off the stoplight. I've driven it, and its very nice!

[Carnut]

"But the 2008 Smart Fortwo Brabus Xclusive does carry a price, specifically a bottom line in Germany of $27,900 in coupe form and $32,100 in cabriolet guise. At this price, it's hard to make a rational case for the Brabus' $9,000 premium over the standard Smart Passion, a car that is in many ways dynamically superior."

I'll take my Pure, thank you. ;)

[lhoboy]

Originally Posted by spdickey

The US spec tranny has quickened the switch from 1 to 2 and 4 to 5 for smoother shifts and quicker off the stoplight. I've driven it, and its very nice!

Is it possible that we get the Brabus transmission?

[2micro4u]

Wow 27K and 32 K for the Brabus. wow. I wonder how does it perform so good and still get over 54 MPG. I will keep my Cabrio and be happy with that.