The performance shines the brightest, though, because they added a Speed Force turbo kit, which claims to produce 85-90whp. Using a Garrett GT20 turbo, it boosts 5psi to improve acceleration and speed across the rev range. A Sprint Booster module, along with a center-exit exhaust, improve throttle response and engine noise, while Eibach springs give the coupe its go-kart handling.
Smart Madness didn't overlook the interior, and the seats sported checkered leather with orange and black alcantara inserts. Carbon accents adorned the dash and gauge rings, plus a custom bridge sat in the rear to show off four speakers in the rear. For a complete sound package, Smart Madness installed its hidden subwoofer box, which used an 8" JL Audio sub.
The yellow example is equally cool, but slightly different being a cabriolet. Some similarities include the same body kit and certain accessories. During our photo shoot, the cabrio roared like a lion on the streets, which surprised onlookers as the tiny drop-top pulled up next to them. The grandiose exhaust note and quicker performance stemmed from Smart Madness headers, exhaust, cold-air intake and software.
For the yellow car, lowering springs were designed by Smart Madness to give a lowered ride while not being too bouncy for daily driving, nor too soft for aggressive use.
A more aggressive wheel was then chosen, going with 17x6.5" front and 17x7" rear Lorinser Speedy wheels. To look mean, they were painted satin black and combined with the Kuhl FX kit. Also, a carbon hood and rollbar covers, smoked tail lights and Brabus fuel cover were added.
For more show points, Smart Madness engineered a vertical door kit which doesn't look too obnoxious on the convertible. Interior-wise, almost every panel and trim piece was either replaced in carbon or color-matched to the exterior. Wet Okele seat covers gave the interior its final makeover.
Eccentric Smart
Now that you've seen what's available for the new Smart, step back and see a Smart with enormous ambition from a seasoned Euro enthusiast. Having previously built seven project cars, Sean Alinaghian sold his Mercedes and Infinity project cars for the rare two-seater. "I really didn't want the new generation," he explained. "Nobody can get the gen 1 any more, so it's really rare to find one. I like to stand out from the crowd!"
The '02 model came with a six-speed transmission and 700cc three-cylinder motor. Incredibly small in size, Sean told us it's not such a bad thing since the engine doesn't need to be smog-tested due to its displacement.
With a rare vehicle to work on, nothing would come cheap or easy. So Sean had to enlist several people, tuners and friends to help with the rare build.
The paint stood out the most with its `scratch' black theme. "Everybody thinks it's vinyl but if you look at the paint closely, you see the grey scratches have metallic and the black is flat. There's a lot of detail in the paint." DTM Audobody in El Monte, CA completed the task and fabricated custom rear fenders. The carbon rears were based on the Brabus widebody fenders but were sculpted to be wider. Sean explained the stock rear wheels are typically 5.5" wide, but his new fenders were able to squeeze 8" wide wheels!
While on the subject of wheels, Sean didn't have a long list of options when owning a three-lug car. "Brabus was the official tuner of the first-gen Smart and I didn't want to go with no-name brand. No company had any support or reputation except for Brabus."
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