IN case you didn’t know, Brabus is a German tuning company that specialises in Mercedes vehicles.
It has spawned some crazy machines like the Brabus 900 Superblack G63 and Brabus 900 Superblack GLS.
Or how about the insane Brabus Red Rocket that is powered by 3.8-litre, twin-turbo flat-six that produces 900bhp and 1,000Nm of torque.
But now Brabus has branched into electric vehicles, taking the mild-mannered Smart #1 and #3 and working its magic, making them look cooler, and turning them into electric-powered rocket ships with supercar acceleration times from 0-100kph in less than four seconds.
I’M guilty of speed-reading messages, whether they be texts, on WhatsApp or emails.
So I got prematurely excited when I saw a mail coming through with the words Brabus and test drive offer.
But after reading through my email again I discovered the Brabus in question was a Smart car, the new #1, and all of the new generation of these are fully-electric.
The Smart #1 is hard to label as it’s the size of a supermini.
It’s got a hatchback but has a slightly raised suspension so SUV-like in its appearance.
But it’s more of a crossover in design as it’s not rugged-looking or built to be driven off-road, as it comes with rear-wheel drive only.
The Smart #1 Brabus is a different beast however.
Smart #1 Brabus
Cost: From €54,170 (£43,450 in the UK)
Engine: Dual motors
Power: 428bhp
Torque: 584Nm
0-100kph: 3.9 seconds
Top Speed: 180kph (112mph)
Range: 400km
Real world range: 398km
Battery: 62kWh
Rivals: Kia EV6 GT, MG 4 XPOWER, Volvo EX30
It has dual motors, one on the front axle and one on the rear, that are powered by a 62kWh Lithium-ion battery that sends a total of 315kw to all four wheels.
So with 428bhp and 584Nm of instant torque the #1 Brabus produces supercar levels of performance.
It’s able to blitz 0-100kph in just 3.9 seconds — the same time as an iconic Ferrari F40.
But power is nothing without suspension that’s able to cope.
And the raised SUV-style suspension could benefit from being firmer when utilising all of that power, especially on twisty, undulating roads with fast sweeping corners.
The brakes cope well but I’m not sure how they’d handle sustained abuse if you were on a track.
There are different driving modes and the dash graphics on the central 12.8-inch screen are really cool.
You view a virtual world that rotates when you select different modes — on Eco you see a city with wind turbines and solar panels, for Sport you are on a roller coaster.
Then Brabus mode transports you to a racetrack and this is the most potent of modes and not for the faint-hearted as at times the acceleration is so instant.
But in Brabus mode the steering feel is improved and everything feels much more alive — you’re involved in the driving experience so much more.
Brabus have also fitted some interesting computer-generated engine sounds, Original, Classic, Interstellar and Explore.
And they really help reconnect you to the car instead of speeding up and slowing down in silence.
The #1 Brabus boot is rather small, though, for a compact SUV, only 313 litres — but that rises to 976 litres with the rear seats folded down.
THE Smart #3 is the bigger brother of the #1 and is also the Brabus version.
The #3 is 100mm longer, 22mm wider, and 80mm lower, and it not only looks better with its sleeker dimensions, but it also handles much better.
The torsional rigidity has been increased by fitting thicker stabiliser bars and the suspension and steering adjustments have been tweaked.
So the #3 Brabus feels more sure of itself when cornering and driving at speed.
And like the #1 Brabus, the #3 Brabus is also a fully-electric rocket ship.
It’s powered by the same 62kWh battery that drives dual motors, front and rear, so the #3 Brabus is all-wheel drive.
Smart #3 Brabus
Cost: From €56,500 (£46,450 in the UK)
Engine: Dual motors
Power: 428bhp
Torque: 543Nm
0-100kph: 3.7 seconds
Top Speed: 180kph (112mph)
Range: 415km
Real world range: 380km
Battery: 62kWh
Rivals: Tesla Model 3 Performacne, BYD Seal dual-motor
And it needs all the grip it can muster as it produces a very impressive 428bhp and 543Nm of instant torque.
From a standing start the #3 Brabus will launch down the road at an alarming rate, taking just 3.7 seconds to hit 100kph, making it even faster than the #1 Brabus.
And it will continue to charge on to a top speed of 180kph.
And speaking of charging, it supports 22kW AC charging and 150kW DC charging so you can go from 10-80 per cent in just 30 minutes.
It’s a very impressive machine to drive, especially in its most potent setting, Brabus mode, and despite tipping the scales at 1,910kg, it hides its weight well.
The #3 Brabus has a range of 415km and in the real world and in cold weather you’re looking at around 380km.
Inside, the #3 is fully loaded with a central 12.8-inch touchscreen and 9.2-inch HD display for the driver, plus loads of Brabus goodies.
The microfibre suede seats are figure-hugging, heated, of course, and electrically-operated.
Plus you also get an Alcantara Sports steering wheel, sport style pedals, ambient lighting and loads more.
It comes loaded with the latest safety features fitted as standard, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist and blind-spot monitoring, which earned it a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating.
But on the flip side, the driver warning will drive you mad.
Take your eyes off the road for more than a couple of seconds, or adjust some settings on the infotainment screen, and the car will start shouting at you to keep your eyes on the road.
If the Smart designers were so smart, they should have left behind a few buttons or knobs so you could do something simple like turn the heating up or down without having to use a touchscreen to do so.
It’s like being married and being constantly nagged by your other half when half the time you don’t even know what you’ve done wrong.
AN Irish driving instructor has revealed the five most common ways to fail the test.
Learner drivers must not make any serious faults to be able to pass.
@Vistadrivingschool is a popular Irish driving instructor on TikTok with over 3,000 followers on the platform.
And he shared with his followers how to avoid the five most common ways of failing the driving test.
Firstly, the driving instructor said one of the most common ways of failing the test is failing to yield at roundabouts and junctions.
Failing to yield is considered a serious fault during the driving test because it significantly increases the risk of collisions and disrupts traffic flow.
Examiners expect drivers to follow these rules to demonstrate their ability to drive safely and responsibly, and failing to yield could result in an immediate test failure.
The driving instructor said: “So if you don’t give way appropriately, this can lead to hazardous situations.”
Up next, he revealed that disobeying traffic signals is a major way of failing the test.
This is another serious fault because it directly jeopardises road safety by creating confusion and increasing the risk of accidents.
During the driving test, disobeying traffic signals shows a lack of attention and respect for the rules of the road, which is crucial for driving safely.
He said: “So if you misinterpret or ignore traffic signs and lights, this can lead to a dangerous situation.”
The driving instructor then revealed that mounting the kerb during manoeuvres is another major way of failing the test.
Again, this is a serious fault because it can indicate a lack of control over the vehicle, posing a risk to pedestrians and other road users.
The examiner expects you to demonstrate precise control and awareness of your surroundings, and mounting the kerb shows poor handling skills.
He said: “So you got the reverse around the corner and you’ve got the turnabout, if you mount the kerb during these manoeuvres it shows a lack of vehicle control and that would lead to a grade three fail.”
Improper use of the handbrake is another common way of failing the test.
Failing to use the handbrake correctly, such as not engaging it fully when required, could lead to the car rolling or moving unexpectedly, creating a dangerous situation.
During the driving test, the examiner expects you to demonstrate proper vehicle control, and improper handbrake use shows a lack of attention to essential safety procedures.
He said: “This can cause the vehicle to roll and potentially lead to an accident.”
Lastly, the driving instructor revealed that inadequate observation is another common way of failing the test.
Inadequate observation is a serious fault because it can prevent you from noticing potential hazards, such as pedestrians, cyclists, or other vehicles, putting you and others at risk.
Failing to check mirrors, blind spots, or properly assess your surroundings before changing lanes, turning, or pulling out also shows a lack of awareness.
The driving instructor added: “Not properly observing your traffic conditions, especially at junctions can lead to such dangerous situations so you want to make sure your observation is on point.”
CAN’T find a babysitter, or don’t want to shell out on a hefty restaurant bill this Valentine’s Day?
This three-course feast is just the ticket – and you can make it all in your air fryer.
Jamie Oliver is known for his easy recipes and for keeping things affordable, so his new cookbook Easy Air Fryer (£26, Penguin Michael Joseph ©Jamie Oliver Enterprises Limited) is a must.
The TV fave is making it his mission to bring us big, bold, delicious recipes, with super salads, veggie heroes, roast dinners for one and mega weekend spreads.
He’s also just launched the new Jamie Oliver by Tefal Dual Easy Fry & Grill Air Fryer, which will be the perfect upgrade if you’ve found that one drawer just doesn’t cut it for your family.
So, will love be in the air (fryer) this Valentine’s?
Serves: 2
Prep time: 8 mins
Cooking time: 20 mins
Ingredients:
*400g frozen broccoli
*4 spring onions
*Olive oil
*20g mixed seeds, such as sunflower, pumpkin, linseeds, poppy
*1 large slice bread
*80g cheddar
*1 organic veg stock cube
*1 bunch flat-leaf parsley
*Extra virgin olive oil (optional)
Method:
1. Remove the shelf from the large air fryer drawer, chuck in the broccoli, then trim, roughly chop and add the spring onions, drizzle with 1tbsp of olive oil, season with sea salt and black pepper and toss well. Cook for 15 minutes at 200°C, or until the broccoli is soft, shaking the drawer occasionally.
2. Use your fingertips to press the seeds into the surface of the bread, drizzle with 1tsp oil and grate over a layer of cheese. Cook in the small drawer for 7 minutes at 180°C, or until golden and crisp, then slice.
3. Once the broccoli is soft, remove the drawer from the air fryer, grate in the remaining cheese, crumble in the stock cube, tear in most of the bunch of parsley, stalks and all, and pour over 400ml boiling kettle water.
4. Carefully blitz with a hand blender until smooth, adding an extra splash of water, if needed. Season to perfection, then gently return the drawer and cook for 5 minutes at 180°C, or until piping hot.
5. Divide between mugs or bowls, pick over the remaining parsley, and drizzle with a little extra virgin olive oil, if you like. Serve with the soldiers.
Energy: 387 cal, Fat: 27.9g, Sat fat: 10.9g, Protein: 25.9g, Carbs: 33.4g, Sugars: 6.4g, Salt: 1.8g, Fibre: 9.1g
Serves: 2
Prep time: 10 mins
Cooking time: 22 mins
Ingredients:
*400g potatoes
*Olive oil
*20g cheddar cheese
*1tsp creamed horseradish
*2tbsp soured cream
*250g baby spinach
*1/2 bunch dill
*1 lemon
*2 x 130g chunky white fish fillets, skin off, pin-boned, from sustainable sources
*Extra virgin olive oil (optional)
Method:
1. Scrub the potatoes, chop into 1cm cubes, place in the large air-fryer drawer and toss with 1 1⁄2tbsp of olive oil and a pinch of sea salt and black pepper. Cook for 20 minutes at 200°C, or until golden, shaking halfway.
2. Place the cheese, horseradish, soured cream, half the spinach and most of the dill, stalks and all, in a blender with 50ml water. Squeeze in a quarter of the lemon juice and blitz until smooth, then season to perfection. Remove the shelf from the small drawer, then pour in the sauce and replace the shelf.
3. Season the fish fillets and place in the small drawer. Finely slice 4 lemon rounds, place on top of the fish, spritz with oil, and cook for 12 to 15 minutes at 170°C, or until the fish is just cooked through and the sauce is hot.
4. Tip the potatoes out of the large drawer and pack in the remaining spinach. Cook for 2 minutes at 200°C, or until just wilted, while you remove the fish from the small drawer so you can divide the sauce between plates. Arrange the fish, spuds and wilted spinach on top. Pick over the reserved dill and finish with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, if you like.
Energy: 451 cal, Fat: 18.8g, Sat fat: 5.7g, Protein: 34.5g, Carbs: 37.9g, Sugars: 4.3g, Salt: 1.5g, Fibre: 2.8g
Makes: 8
Prep time: 10 mins, plus chilling
Cooking time: 37 mins
Ingredients:
*1 x 145g bar of mint Aero
*150g full-fat cream cheese
*85g unsalted butter
*200g self-raising flour
*100g caster sugar
*3tbsp cocoa powder
*1⁄2tsp bicarbonate of soda
*100g milk or dark chocolate chips
*2 medium free-range eggs
Method:
1. To make the filling, snap 120g of Aero into a heatproof bowl and melt in the air fryer for 3 minutes at 170°C, then stir until smooth and mix in the cream cheese. Cover and leave to firm up in the fridge for at least 1 hour.
2. Melt the butter in a heatproof bowl for 4 minutes at 170°C. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa and bicarb, then stir through the chocolate chips. Mix in the melted butter, then the eggs, until the mixture is well combined. With wet hands, roll into 16 balls and place on a lined baking sheet, pushing them down slightly to flatten.
3. Line the air fryer shelf with greaseproof paper. Transfer 4 to 6 cookies into the drawer, making sure there’s a 1cm gap between them. Cook for 10 minutes at 170°C (12 minutes from chilled or 15 minutes from frozen) then, using the paper to help you, transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool, and repeat.
4. Once the cookies are completely cool, sandwich them with the filling, crumbling up the leftover Aero to sprinkle into each one, before sandwiching.
Get ahead
If not cooking straight away, cover the raw cookies and keep in the fridge for up to 2 days, or the freezer for up to 3 months, ready to cook to order! Or, once cooked, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, stashing the filling in the fridge, ready to assemble.
Energy: 451 cal, Fat: 25g, Sat fat: 15.1g, Protein: 6.7g, Carbs: 52.2g, Sugars: 32.5g, Salt: 0.6g, Fibre: 1.9g
1999 – Jamie Oliver’s first television series, The Naked Chef, premiered on BBC Two. It quickly gained popularity and lead to his first cookbook.
2000 – The Naked Chef won a BAFTA Award.
2002 – He launched the Fifteen restaurant in London, providing opportunities for disadvantaged young people to train as chefs.
2005 – Began the Jamie’s School Dinners campaign to improve the quality of school meals in the UK, leading to significant changes in government policy.
2008 – He received the TED Prize for his efforts to improve unhealthy diets and food practices.
2015 – Campaigned for a tax on sugary drinks, which was then introduced in the UK in 2018.
2023 – Announced plans for new restaurant ventures and still works on campaigns for better food education and sustainability practices.
COMING up with different work outfits is no easy task, especially during the colder months.
If you’ve exhausted all your new-year-new-you looks, then we’ve got you covered.
At this time of year you want to be warm, smart and still feel like your stylish self without sitting in your puffer coat.
The high street is full of versatile pieces you can add to your wardrobe for easy office attire.
From lessons in layering to on-trend knits in bright colourways, there are styling tips you can use to keep your workwear comfy, current and still cosy.
Here, Fabulous’ fashion editor Clemmie Fieldsend shares five office looks you can rotate every week.
A neutral coloured suit is a brilliant investment that will give you years of wear.
By adding pops of colour and pattern, like this vivid red and snake print, you can create a statement look that feels current, even if the suit is a wardrobe classic.
Carry all your work essentials in this large tote that’s a dupe of the must-have DeMellier Hudson bag.
The classic argyle print is huge at the moment, led by Claudia Winkleman on The Traitors and Victoria Beckham, and this cardigan from Zara is a must-have.
Pair it with sleek silhouettes like this grey pencil skirt and sharp pointed shoes.
Add modern accessories with these silver tear-drop earrings for a polished finish.
Layer your core wardrobe staples, like this blue shirt from Stradivarius and grey front-pleat trousers from New Look with a knitted vest.
These bright stripes not only inject colour into a neutral outfit, but will lift your mood and keep you warm, too.
Slip on some butter yellow loafers, which tick two spring-trend boxes.
Dark denim is the best way to go if you still want to wear jeans to work and look smart.
Coupled with rich colours like this plum scarf jacket and mustard-yellow jumper, you’ve got a cosy-yet-cool look for work.
Pair with heeled boots to elevate your outfit (and height) further.
From the Dior and Burberry catwalks to the high street, kilts are a brilliant edition to your office wardrobe.
Team with plain knit cardigans and style with on-trend accessories like these buckle-detailed flats.
A satin neck scarf will add a touch of old Hollywood glamour to finish the outfit – try this one from Mango.
By Clemmie Fieldsend
Fabulous Fashion Editor Clemmie Fieldsend shared the five workwear essentials everyone should have.
1. WHITE SHIRT
A good white shirt is so versatile. Great for wearing on their own or layering underneath knits and transforming plain jumpers by adding cuff and collar detail, as well as wearing open over plain tops.
2. WIDE LEG TROUSERS
They’ve become a wardrobe staple over recent years as they are comfortable, flattering and will elevate your workwear. Look out for styles with pleating or darting.
3. PRACTICAL TOTE
for a day at work or on your commute you’ll need all your essentials with you, cram them all into a sleek and stylish tote bag in a neutral colour like black, brown or beige so it can be used with all of your outfits.
4. TAILORED BLAZER
Even if worn with torn jeans a tailored blazer will instantly make you look polished and smart for work. Black will be the most useful and look for silhouettes with structure.
5. SIMPLE LOAFER
Whether you like delicate or chunky, a flat and comfortable shoe is essential for everyday use and can look just as dressy as a heel.
