Rumor: Brabus Xclusive coming to US in '09

[afr0puff]

So, on Thurs. (5/22) I was at the dealership (D.C. area) to have some quirky issues investigated and to purchase some accessories. That evening when I picked up the car, I met the sales manager for the first time. He offered to install the sunglass holder for me and during the install I inquired about the availability of Brabus accessories. He said that he had recently came back from a meeting where it was announced that the Brabus Xclusive was coming in '09.

For those who don't know, the Brabus version is a fully loaded passion coupe/cabrio with the following notable changes:

~ PROS ~
* 98hp turbo engine
* 0-62.5 mph in 9.9 secs (per UK site)
* 16" (front) / 17" (rear) wheels
* Stiffer suspension (10mm drop)
* Sportier transmission
* Tuned dual exhaust in chrome
* Brabus logo accents everywhere (inside and outside)
* Lip spoiler, side skirts, and rear apron

~ CONS ~
* 10% reduction in fuel economy (per UK site)
* Only available in silver and black (per UK site)

All of these upgrades should come in around $20k, which some would say is a steal. My guess is that, if the rumor is true, it would be released in late '09 as an 2010 model.

-Puff

[MPrice2984]

They can already buy the Brabus models in Mexico, as a matter of fact they can also get the gas turbo motor and diesel also.

[Smart09]

20K for the smart. sounds a bit pricey.. why not just keep this one and add the brabus accessories later and just tune your own engine. well to each their own. its a nice car but why waste the money for less gas mileage. isnt the smart supposed to be gas friendly?

[Smartfor2guy]

Lets see:

Stiffer suspension - Bad
Less Fuel mileage - Bad
Costs 20k - Bad
Stuff with B on it - who cares?
Lip spoiler - side skirts - rear apron - Only +

[smartune]

Originally Posted by Smartfor2guy

Lets see:

Stiffer suspension - Bad
Less Fuel mileage - Bad
Costs 20k - Bad
Stuff with B on it - who cares?
Lip spoiler - side skirts - rear apron - Only +

I'm all for stiffer suspension.

The stock car isn't stiff, its harsh. Thats a effect of less than ideal valving on in the dampers themselves combined with soft spring rates. Stiffer suspension will get rid of the rocking horse effect and might ride better than the factory smart.

It's worked on all of my past cars...

[Gentrification]

The Brabus 101 that was made from the 450 model was an impressive little beast...

http://www.youtube.com/v/Rv0AI3hjc7k&hl=en

[burtandnancy]

I'm guessing the 20K is on top of the price of the Smart. Total +/- $35K...

[jwight]

The base BRABUS coupé in Europe costs 13,857 Euros, or $20,650; the base BRABUS cabriolet is 16,328 Euros, or $24,330.

The BRABUS Xclusive coupé is 16,378 Euros ($24,400) and the top of the line BRABUS Xclusive cabriolet is 18,849 Euros ($28,100).

I haven't checked to see if there have been any price increases since this was posted.

[Dave Van]

Gentrification.......any idea where that video was shot?? Looks like a fun drive!!!

[Gentrification]

Apparently that is a privately owned highway in Malaysia. People drive like loonies on it.