Click for more pictures of the Brabus SLR and Smart 112

Smart has already gotten a little flack considering that their microcar, the ForTwo, doesn't exactly set any records when it comes to fuel mileage. Thus far, the only version in the U.S. is powered by gasoline, not diesel, and doesn't even include any of the "microhybrid" features. Still, it is one of the more eco-friendly cars sold here, so we'll take what we can get. Brabus, though, thinks that they can add some "red" to the "green" image of the ForTwo by upping the power ante and selling it alongside their latest Brabus SLR. The SLR, of course, is not in the least bit green, and adding a "tender" to the supercar for shorter trips doesn't really help. Whatever the case, Brabus does manage to squeeze 112 horsepower from the Smart's 3 cylinder turbocharged engine, enough to accelerate from 0-60 in about 9.5 seconds and up to a top speed of 106 miles per hour. The claim that their new creation is "the ultimate city sports car and thus the ultimate tender to the SLR." For the man in your life who truly has everything... except this, of course.

[Source: Brabus via Autoblog]

Welcome to the the first edition of AutoblogGreen video round up! Video round up is a selection of several videos clips we think you might enjoy. The video above features the Opel Flextreme, GM's new E-Flex concept. The Opel video includes lots of views of the amazing doors, interior and even the Segway. Below the fold you will find Kangoo, the Renault compact concept, and Brabus' Smart Fourtwo concept.

[Source: YouTube]

By now, you are aware that for the first time since it was introduced, smart will be bringing their diminutive ForTwo to U.S. shores in nearly no time at all. In fact, sales so far have been rather brisk. One might wonder, though, if buyers had the choice for a bit more power and finesse if they might take it. While nobody is likely to confuse it for a sportscar, BRABUS has taken the new ForTwo model and massaged it as they did with the last. This time, the 1.0 liter three-cylinder engine is up to 98 horsepower, the vehicle has been lowered a smidge and the steering wheel and shifters have been swathed in leather. Most importantly, the pedals are changed to metal... we are sure your shoes will thank you.

All joking aside, the BRABUS Xclusive smart is likely to be far more entertaining to drive, if that is of interest to you. Sure, fuel mileage is likely to suffer, but your green credentials may still remain in tact thanks to the standard-version-matching 124 grams per kilometer of CO2 emission. Good riddance emit-ants!

[Source: Automotoportal]

Now that the second edition of the Smart ForTwo has been on sale for a few months, Brabus has revealed their "high performance" edition of the diminutive city car. Brabus has added a turbocharger to the three-cylinder engine, increasing the output thirty percent to 98hp. That boost allows the Brabus ForTwo to get up to 62mph in 9.9 sec on the way to a terminal velocity of 95mph. The Brabus editions start at $22,200 and go up to $30,000 which seems like a pretty steep price for such a car. The DCX press release is after the jump.

[Source: DaimlerChrysler]

OK, they kinda still do ignore the green-set. But, if you consider the SMART car green, or a diesel Sprinter van green... well then, they have you covered. See here and here for proof.

I'm not really convinced that the Brabus version of the SMART car is a good idea, I mean it defeats the intended purpose of the vehicle. There are better choices out there, in my opinion, than the SMART for a high-performance conversion. How about a MINI Cooper S for instance?

But, the Sprinter conversion, on the other hand, I think that may have a place in the market, if it indeed used as a commercial vehicle as they are intended. According to Autoblog, the top performing engine for the vehicle is the gasoline option giving the Sprinter 310 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. For us, though, the top performing engines are diesels, ranging from the PowerXtra D3 to the PowerXtra D6 for the 2.2 liter CDI engine. The maximum amount of torque is 354 lb-ft from that engine.

We have covered the Brabus SMART car before, so here is the link. The short version: 101 hp and 11 seconds or so for the 0-60 mph sprint. Here are additional cars that have been touched by the hands at Brabus.

Related:

• Smart Brabus edition red coupé and cabrio now available

[Source: Gizmag, Autoblog and Brabus]