New Brabus Ultimate 120 Takes the Smart Fortwo Cabrio to the Next Level

When it comes to Brabus, it's all about power and speed regardless of the size of the vehicle and both are true for the German tuning firm's latest creation named the Ultimate 120, which is based on the Smart Fortwo Cabrio and will make its world premiere at this week's 2012 Geneva Motor Show. The name refers to both the output (120PS or 118bhp) and the number of cars Brabus plans to produce but not to its price that is set at a mind boggling €45,900 or about US$61,600 a piece!
Under the hood, you will find a heavily modified version of the stock car's three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine rated at 120PS (118bhp) at 6,000rpm with 160 Nm (118 lb-ft) of peak torque available on tap between 2,250 and 3,750 rpm. An automated manual transmission with steering wheel-mounted shift paddles transfers power to the rear wheels.
Brabus quotes a zero to 100km/h (62mph) sprint time of 8.9 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 170km/h (106mph).
To make sure that the Ultimate 120 behaves on the road, Brabus has fitted the Fortwo with a height-adjustable coilover suspension, a high-performance brake system with cross-drilled discs and four-piston fixed calipers painted in body color on the front axle, plus new 18-inch alloy wheels shod in 205/35 high-performance tires up front and massive 235/30 tires in the rear.
A stainless-steel sport exhaust system with two chrome-plated tailpipes is also part of the package.
On the outside, the Ultimate 120 is dressed in a wide body kit that comprises a front spoiler, side sills, a rear apron and wider fenders.
Inside, the entire cabin is clad in black Mastik leather with red contrasting seams, while other highlights include the Recaro Sportster seats, the Brabus steering wheel, the body colored accent trims, stainless-steel pedals plus aluminum shifter and emergency-brake lever.

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New Smart Fortwo Edition

"Sharpred" is the name of the latest special edition model from Smart and will be available this May in a limited run of 1,800 examples as a Coupé and as a Cabrio with either a 70bhp (52kW) mhd petrol engine or an 82bhp (62kW) petrol unit. What separates the Sharpred from its lesser Fortwo siblings is the two-tone color theme with the main body and 15-inch alloy wheels painted in black and the Tridion safety cell and door mirror housings finished in a contrasting red color.
In addition, the front apron and rear trim panel feature a matte texture while the side skirts boast a high-gloss black finish.
The same color combination can be found inside with black leather seats and dashboard trim accented by red stitching.
The Sharpred Fortwo is based on the Passion trim grade, which means that standard features include an automatic gear program, electric windows, air conditioning with automatic temperature control and a panoramic roof with sunblind.
Prices in Germany start from €14,490 (equal to US$18,900) for the 70bhp mhd coupe.

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Rinspeed Shows “Dock+Go” EV Extending Range Add-On Concept At Geneva Salon

Rinspeed is a Swiss-based automobile manufacturer and tuning designer with a very vivid imagination. Although it produces “normal” tuning products like the 600HP Porsche 911 Turbo, it is projects like the James Bond-like submersible Lotus Elise or the BamBoo EV study that are its hallmark.

Now, the innovative design house is planning to launch a new “mobility concept” at the 2012 Geneva Salon next March. The “Dock+Go” is the brainchild of Frank M. Rinderknecht, who describes it as a docking “backpack on wheels”.
The idea behind its creation was born out of most electric vehicles’ problem: their restricted range. Although any EV can serve as a basis, Rinspeed chose the electric Smart ForTwo for displaying its solution.
The “Dock+Go” is like a trailer that, as its name suggests, docks to the rear of the car. The Vario-Hybrid can be fitted with a normal internal combustion engine, a range extender, a battery pack or a fuel cell, and it drives the rear axle of the car, thus extending its range.
Rinspeed doesn’t limit its use to EV vehicles, though. Apart from the range-extending Vario-Hybrid, the “Dock+Go” can also be fitted with a variety of “packs”, from an integrated heated box suitable for pizza delivery, a toolbox, camping, golf, skiing or even a party package.

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