05/10/2025

Contributing Editor Keshy Dhillon / keshy@piston.my Editorial

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SUNDAY | OCT 5, 2025

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Head-turner smart # 3 Brabus not only good looking but also packs a punch BY TIMOTHY PRAKASH

THE smart brand has always been about rethinking mobility. Back in the late 1990s, it started out with quirky two-seater city cars that were perfect for tight European streets. Born from a collaboration between Mercedes-Benz and Swatch, the company made its name with the smart Fortwo – a tiny, efficient runabout that quickly became iconic in cities like Paris and Berlin. Fast forward to today, smart has evolved into a pure electric brand under a joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and Geely. By 2025, the brand’s image is no longer tied to compact odd balls, but instead stylish, high tech EVs designed for global appeal. In Malaysia, smart is repre sented by Pro-Net, and the line-up currently includes the smart #1, the larger smart #3 and the soon to-be-launched smart #5. The #3 is a coupe-styled SUV aimed at those who want some thing more dynamic and sporty, and the Brabus version takes it up another level. I recently had the chance to

Charge in 30 minutes

less. The throttle response is sharp, overtaking is instant, and it makes commuting feel fun instead of a chore. On the highway, it pulls strongly and stays composed at higher speeds. There’s a confi dence in the way it puts power down that makes you want to push it. That said, the performance focus does mean trade-offs. The suspension is on the firm side, and with the big 20-inch wheels, you definitely feel bumps and imperfections on Malaysian roads. It’s not uncomfortable, but it’s less forgiving than the Premium variant. On longer drives, the firmness can get tiring, especially if the road surface isn’t great. Steering is accurate but not as communicative as I’d hoped for in a car carrying the Brabus badge. It’s easy to place the car where you want it, but it doesn’t quite deliver the sharp feedback that would complete the sporty experi ence.

Panoramic ‘halo’ glass roof.

drive it, and here’s how it felt from behind the wheel. BOLD FIRST IMPRESSION When I first saw the smart #3 Brabus in the metal, it was clear this car was designed to turn heads. Compared to the more upright smart #1, the #3 looks lower, sleeker, and sportier. Although others have told me that the car looks too “bubbly” or “round,” to me, the coupe-SUV sil houette works really well in per son, especially in the bold Photon Orange paint. The sculpted lines, slim LED headlights, and muscular rear

arches all carry hints of Mercedes Benz design DNA, which makes it look like it is about to pounce. The Brabus touches give it that extra dose of attitude. The larger 20-inch “Synchro” wheels fill the arches nicely, red brake callipers peek through, and the slightly more aggressive bumpers add a sense of purpose. Step inside, and the cabin feels properly special. Alcantara-style upholstery with red stitching, ambient lighting, illuminated Brabus logos, and even sport ped als. It’s premium, it’s sporty, and it feels like a step above the regular versions.

20-inch ‘Synchro’ wheels.

BEHIND THE WHEEL Looks are only half the story – what’s the Brabus like to drive? In a word: quick. With dual motors sending power to all four wheels, the car packs 428PS and 543Nm of torque. The numbers say 0-100kph in 3.7 seconds, and it feels every bit as fast. The instant torque shoves you back into the seat, and “Rocket Launch Mode” makes those hard launches addictive. Around town, the car is effort

Full-width LED.

Illuminated smart logo.

Boot release button hidden into the ‘a’ of the logo.