Smart gets Brabus upgrades

Smart has launched a new product design service in conjunction with Mercedes tuner Brabus at the Frankfurt motor show.

Although Brabus is more used to extracting power from Mercedes models, the new service is about offering colour and personalisation with a range of new body panels and interiors.

See the full high-res Smart and Brabus design image gallery here

As part of the service, customers will be able to specify their car’s body panels and safety cell from with a choice of 18 colours, each with a supercar or heritage theme.

These include the vibrant Campbell Blue, which pays homage to the Bluebird land speed record cars built and tested at Brooklands, the home of Mercedes-Benz World.

Interior detailing on items such as the door handles, instrument cluster, dials and light/wiper lever will mirror the exterior colour chosen. There will be six roof colours to select from too, as well as nine leather or Alcantara upholsteries, which will feature in the seats and areas including door panels, upper dash and in the floor mat edging.

Dermot Kelly, managing director of Mercedes,said: “Smart has always been regarded as an iconic and unique product and the launch of smart Brabus tailor made will enhance that reputation. We offered a sneak preview of the range by showcasing four demonstrators at last weekend’s 2009 smart festival and the concept generated a phenomenal reaction.

“Business users have enjoyed tremendous success by using vinyl wraps on their smart cars to promote their companies and we expect the opportunity for individual retail customers to personalise their vehicle will be a huge hit too.”

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