EV hot hatches are getting serious. Jonathan Crouch drives the smart #1 BRABUS.
Ten Second Review
The smart #1 gets angry in this hot hatch BRABUS form. It's an all wheel drive twin motor 428hp EV shopping rocket that claims to offer a glimpse into the future of the hot hatch. But does it?
Background
We're already beginning to get an idea of what the EV hot hatch market is going to look like. With modestly powered front motor models like the Abarth 500e and the Volkswagen ID.2 GTI at one end. And at the other, much quicker twin-motor all-wheel-drive contenders like the MG4 XPOWER and the subject of this test, the smart #1 BRABUS.
BRABUS is a badge that's adorned smart models for two decades but, for this trendy brand at least, has never really meant very much in terms of increased power. Well it does here. 428hp promises some serious speed, the need for which you might question if you've driven an ordinary #1, not a car engineered for enthusiastic drivers. Can the BRABUS changes radically alter its personality? Let's see.
Driving Experience
Is a hot hatch merely about speed and power? If you think it is, then there's plenty to like here. In this case, the 'BRABUS' badge designates an almost completely different powertrain recipe for the #1, with an extra motor being added over the front wheels to create an EV dual motor AWD system, as part of which the power output leaps up to 428hp. And that's enough (if you select this variant's fieriest extra 'BRABUS' drive mode) to hurl a #1 BRABUS to 62mph in just 3.9s courtesy of 543Nm of torque. In class, only the MG4 XPOWER can match that - though that car can't quite equal a #1 BRABUS model's drive range, rated at 248 miles.
This sporty #1 variant certainly proves the worth of this car's advanced 'SEA' Geely-sourced platform. But ultimately it's still not a credible EV hot hatch in the sense that combustion enthusiasts would understand. Partly that's because little work has been done to re-tune the steering and the tyres are much the same as you'll find on the eco-conscious variants. The smart engineers claim that the suspension settings have been revised to take account of the extra weight of the additional motor up-front, but the ride still isn't as firm and engaging as you might expect a hot hatch to be. Still, there's a rortier fake drivetrain note included with this model. Perhaps that'll be enough in compensation if you happen to be disappointed by these oversights.
Design and Build
The #1 BRABUS gets the expected cues to set it apart from the rather apologetic-looking standard #1 models. These include 19-inch wheels that actually look like wheels (rather than aerodynamic fairings). And red detailing on the front and rear diffusers. Red brake callipers add a finishing touch.
Take a seat behind the wheel and apart from the microfibre suede upholstery and sports-style pedal, it's just as in a standard #1. There's no start button (the car simply senses your arrival) and, less surprisingly given that this is a Mercedes design, no centre console drive controller either, gear selection duties conducted by the Stuttgart brand's usual slim right hand stalk. Buttons are largely banished and instead of an instrument binnacle, you view a narrow letterbox-shaped 9.2-inch HD digital instrument screen though the jaunty three-spoke smart-branded wheel. That's complemented by a very advanced 12.8-inch central monitor with a 3D interface, over-the-air updates and even an animated fox that pops up above menus and boxes.
Aside from screens, you'll not want for equipment. All versions get a so-called 'Halo' panoramic glass sunroof, which comes with a powered sunshade blind. And all you have to do is to avoid base trim to get smart manmade 'Duo leather' upholstery, plus niceties like a 10-inch head-up display, 64-colour ambient lighting and a 13-speaker 640-watt Beats sound system. There's plenty of cabin storage space too, with lidded compartments along the top of this centre console and a huge stowage area beneath large enough for a shopping carrier or a large handbag.
Out back, thanks to the lengthy 4,027mm wheelbase, there's apparently more room than you'd get in a Mercedes E-Class executive saloon. And you get a decently-sized 273-litre boot.
Market and Model
You're going to need to really want this top BRABUS version of the #1 because the price is pitched right up in premium territory - around £43,500 at the time of this Review. This flagship model features a sporty body kit and its own 19-inch wheel design with red brake calipers. Inside, 'BRABUS'-spec is set apart by microfibre suede upholstery and sports-style pedals, plus you get a simulated engine sound under acceleration and an extra 'BRABUS' drive mode.
That's in addition to all the features fitted to the single motor 'Premium'-spec version of this model. 'Which means you can tick off Matrix LED+ headlights with adaptive high beam; and Automatic Parking Assist, which will automatically slot the car into tight spaces. Plus there's a panoramic glass sunroof, illumination for the concealed door handles, scrolling dynamic indicators and gesture control for the powered tailgate. Inside, there's smart 'Duo leather' upholstery, a 10-inch head-up display, a wireless 'phone charger and a 13-speaker 640-watt Beats sound system. And the cabin's upgraded with extended 64-colour premium ambient lighting, illuminated door treadplates, and a leather steering wheel cover.
On to safety provision. There's the usual 'Front & Rear Collision Mitigation' autonomous braking system, plus a whole host of stuff to keep you properly in lane - 'Lane Departure Warning', 'Lane Keep Assist', 'Emergency Lane Keep Assist', 'Lane Departure Prevention' and 'Lane Change Assist'. There's also 'Blind Spot Detection' and a Door Open Warning feature. Semi-autonomous drive stuff includes 'Traffic Jam Assist' (which will basically drive the car for you in low speed stop-start traffic); and 'Highway Assist' (which will do the same kind of thing at cruising speeds). Plus there's 'Intelligent Speed Assist', which (if set) will use the standard 'Traffic Sign Recognition' system to automatically adjust your speed to posted limits.
Cost of Ownership
Opting for this weightier BRABUS model inevitably means a small drop in driving range - from 273 to 248 miles. But otherwise, things are much as with the ordinary mid-range 'Premium'-spec #1 variant. The 150kW charging speed looks good (it's class-leading in fact), which allows for a 10-80% DC super charging time of just 30 minutes. The 66kWh battery (only 62kWh of which is usable) takes just 3 hours to replenish itself from 10-80% from an AC supply, thanks to the 22kW AC charge power system that comes fitted. Full battery replenishment by the way, takes a lot longer: a 7.4kW garage wallbox needs 12 hours 45 minutes to completely charge the battery from empty to full.
As usual with an EV, the car slots into a low 2% Benefit-in-Kind taxation bracket. And is exempt from road fund licence, London Congestion Charge and London ULEZ charges until 2025. Insurance is group 39 for this top 'BRABUS' variant. What about the peace of mind you'd want from a potentially unfamiliar brand? Well there's a three-year unlimited mileage warranty; an 8 year / 125,000 mile battery warranty; and every car comes with an Integrated Service Package covering servicing and wear-and-tear items for 3 years or 30,000 miles. Plus there's Roadside Assistance for up to 8 years or 100,000 miles, provided the car is maintained at a smart aftersales partner.
Summary
Somewhere here is potentially a great hot hatch, but the recipe in this case isn't quite complete. Creating a truly rewarding EV shopping rocket requires more than just adding an extra motor and upping the power output. And ultimately, the dynamic changes made here over the standard #1 aren't quite enough to provide it.
Yet for all that, the #1 BRABUS can be huge fun, as long as you accept the limitations of what you're getting here. And for the time being, we prefer it to its most obvious rival, the wild but strangely unsatisfying MG4 XPOWER. But the bar in this segment is about to be raised. We hope future versions of this model can be fettled to keep pace.
