Are you tired of being run over by near-silent electric cars? No, us neither, but we've got good news for anyone who often finds themselves wandering into the path of freakishly quiet oncoming eco-cars: an electric Smart ForTwo with a noise generator.
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Mmm minty
The Smart Brabus Electric Drive is a modified version of the Smart ED prototype that's been given the once-over by German tuning company Brabus. In typical Brabus fashion it's no shrinking violet (pun intended) with a spearmint green and white exterior, a matching interior and some interesting new gadgets. The Smart Brabus Electric Drive is still in the concept phase and won't see the light of day until Smart launches the consumer version of the standard Smart ED, and they're not saying when that'll be.
(Credit: CNET UK)
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Unique
Pedestrians shouldn't be able to miss this car. We can't remember ever seeing a spearmint green paint job with a matte finish on any vehicle, anywhere in the world. Ever.
(Credit: CNET UK)
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Mr Sulu, engage warp speed
Just in case passers-by do somehow miss your bright green runabout, this switch (top right) lets you toggle between noises. One sounds like the USS Enterprise as it enters warp speed, while the other sounds like a Smart ForTwo on steroids. The sound doesn't come from the internal speakers, either — it's generated by an external loudspeaker positioned towards the front of the car.
(Credit: CNET UK)
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Peppermint cream
If you do happen to run over someone and they end up crashing through your windscreen, they'll love the green and white interior.
(Credit: CNET UK)
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That's entertainment!
Inside the cabin, Brabus has installed a Kenwood DNX5220BT multimedia head unit that's packed to the gills with features. It'll act as a Garmin sat nav or as a replacement rear-view mirror when hooked up to a rear-facing camera. It'll also play DVD movies, view JPEGs, MPEG1/2 and DivX files, and let you control your iPod.
(Credit: CNET UK)
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LEDs in ED
The Smart Brabus ED features LED daytime running lights. We're not sure how this affects the car's range, but it looks cool and makes the car more visible.
(Credit: CNET UK)
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Roof goes down, roof goes up
We're feelin' the leather-bound gear knob. The buttons just ahead of it control the car's convertible roof, which can be operated while the vehicle is in motion.
(Credit: CNET UK)
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Watch out: pun ahead!
The white alloy wheels are a smart touch.
(Credit: CNET UK)
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Hello 1985
The digital-analog instrument panel is the same as on the standard car, which is a shame as it looks slightly retro.
(Credit: CNET UK)
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Diffuser
This F1-style rear diffuser doesn't add to the vehicle's performance, but it looks sweet.
(Credit: CNET UK)
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The glass house
This glass panel in the boot lets you see clear through to the electric motor.
(Credit: CNET UK)
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