Highly exclusive and equally dynamic limited-edition city sports cars have a long, successful history at BRABUS. Reason enough for BRABUS to celebrate yet another world debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show: based on the latest evolution of the smart fortwo cabrio there is now a successor to the sold-out limited-edition models ULTIMATE 101, ULTIMATE 112, ULTIMATE R and ULTIMATE style – the BRABUS ULTIMATE 120. As the name indicates, this drop-top two-seater car is a supercar with 120 hp (118 bhp) / 88.3 kW and a top speed of 170 km/h (112 mph), which will be built in a small-series production run limited to just 120 consecutively numbered cars. The exclusive appointments range from a special paint finish as per customer specification to the WIDESTAR wide-body version with forged BRABUS Monoblock F 18-inch wheels and an all-leather interior. MSRP for a BRABUS ULTIMATE 120 starts at EUR 45,900.
In addition to the special paint finish, which on the car at the Geneva Motor Show is an intense metallic red, the ULTIMATE 120 immediately catches the eye with its muscular BRABUS WIDESTAR body kit with front spoiler, side sills and BRABUS WIDESTAR fender flares front and back.
The large wheel wells offers space for a tire/wheel combination that is highly unusual in this vehicle class and design: the new BRABUS Monoblock F "Platinum Edition" forged wheels are mounted on the front axle in size 7Jx18 with size 205/35 R 18 high-performance tires. Size 8.5Jx18 wheels with size 235/30 R 18 tires in the rear provide plenty of grip for transferring the power of 120 horses to the asphalt with no slip.
The height-adjustable BRABUS coilover suspension is custom-calibrated to the ultra-low-profile tires and the wider track. It combines direct and safe handling with excellent ride comfort. A BRABUS high-performance brake system with cross-drilled discs and four-piston fixed calipers painted in body color on the front axle provides enormous stopping power and maximum durability.
This makes the ULTIMATE 120 perfectly suited for the installation of the powerful BRABUS three-cylinder turbocharged engine. In keeping with its name, the ultimate city sports car keeps a maximum power output of 120 hp (118 bhp) / 88.3 kW at 6,000 rpm on tap for its driver. However, even more important in day-to-day operation is the peak torque of 160 Nm (118 lb-ft), available between 2,250 and 3,750 rpm, and unparalleled in this vehicle class.
Gears in the BRABUS ULTIMATE 120 are shifted either automatically or similar to Formula 1 racing manually with shift paddles on the ergonomically shaped BRABUS steering wheel that has a diameter of just 34 centimeters (13.4 inches).
With a sprint time of 8.9 seconds for 0 – 100 km/h (62 mph) and an electronically limited top speed of 170 km/h (106 mph) the convertible also sets new class standards in these disciplines.
This performance is accompanied acoustically by the BRABUS stainless-steel sport exhaust system with two chrome-plated tailpipes.
The ULTIMATE 120 also features a number of exquisite interior highlights: the entire interior is clad in especially soft and breathable black BRABUS Mastik leather with red contrasting seams that match the outer skin. For perfect lateral support during fast cornering the city sports car is equipped with Recaro Sportster seats. These also are wrapped in the finest BRABUS leather and their seat shells are painted in the same color as the car’s exterior.
Numerous other details such as the speedometer, tach and clock including the instrument bezels, dashboard molding, turn signal stalks and door handles were also painted in body color. BRABUS stainless-steel pedals as well as an aluminum shifter and emergency-brake lever create pure motor sports ambiance.
Air conditioning system, radio and navigation system are of course also part of the two-seat drop-top’s standard equipment.
* Official photos and details courtesy of BRABUS GmbH *
Copyright © 2012, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.
The brand with the star shines: A new major order for 221 Mercedes-Benz Conecto articulated buses has been placed by the public transportation provider IETT to update its fleet of city buses in the metropolis on the Bosphorus. The new order allows Daimler subsidiary Mercedes-Benz Türk to strengthen its partnership of over forty years with IETT, more than 50 percent of whose vehicles are Mercedes-Benz products. With its fleet of around 3,000 city buses, IETT is dedicated to providing reliable and environ-mentally friendly passenger transport in the metropolis, Istanbul. IETT, which was established in 1871, operates light rail systems, subways, regular-service buses, and utilizes the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) mobility concept.
Hartmut Schick, Head of Daimler Buses, underscores the importance of the three-figured order for the Daimler subsidiary in Turkey, “This latest major order is further testimony to Daimler Buses' dynamic growth in Turkey and thereby contributes to the strengthening of our global presence.” Schick also reiterates Daimler Buses’ claim to leadership, “Every day, we are working diligently to expand our leadership position in the bus sector, and we are delighted by what we have achieved to date.”
At the ceremony for the signing of the contract by Wolf-Dieter Kurz, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Türk, and Hayri Baracli, Managing Director of IETT, the long-standing Daimler customer commented about the follow-up order, “With a tradition of more than 140 years, IETT is generating new momentum for the creation of a modern Istanbul. We are investing in an updated fleet consisting primarily of Mercedes-Benz city buses for public passenger transport in Istanbul. This way, we are making a significant contribution to comfortable transportation in Istanbul.” IETT operates Mercedes-Benz Conecto city buses for regular service operations. For the urban mobility concept Bus Rapid Transit, IETT uses the high-capacity articulated bus Mercedes-Benz CapaCity. By utilizing lanes separate from private transport, BRT is noticeably assisting the relief of city traffic.
The 221 Mercedes-Benz Conecto articulated buses are being produced at the Mercedes-Benz bus plant in Hosdere and will be delivered to the customer until September 2012. The 18-meter low-floor bus can carry up to 160 passengers. The low height of the entrances ensures that passengers can get on and off the bus quickly. The Mercedes-Benz Conecto meets the EU’s environmental standard Euro V with its BlueTec diesel technology, which reduces pollutant and particulate emissions.
Mercedes-Benz Türk
The Daimler subsidiary Mercedes-Benz Türk was established in Istanbul in 1967. It began producing buses for the Turkish market in 1968. The Aksaray plant launched truck production in 1986. The facilities in Aksaray and Hosdere are key elements of Daimler’s global production network.
Credits: Daimler AG
Copyright © 2012, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.
