Author Topic: Short version: The new smart fortwo - better than ever  (Read 3589 times)

Offline fasteddy

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6943
    • www.flyingtiger.ca  http://shop.flyingtiger.ca
Short version: The new smart fortwo - better than ever
« on: January 31, 2007, 11:51:16 AM »
Stuttgart, Jan 31, 2007
The new smart fortwo is the consistent evolution of a car that is unrivalled in terms of shape, use and nature. Launched on the market in 1998, the first generation of the smart achieved cult status in a very short space of time. The smart fortwo sets standards in its class in terms of comfort, agility, safety and environmental friendliness.
The developers have set even higher standards for the new smart fortwo. The optimised running gear, the longer wheelbase and the slightly larger body make the smart fortwo even more comfortable. The active and passive safety have been further improved. The new drive engineering provides for even more agility and driving fun and also gives the new smart fortwo a top position worldwide in terms of environmental friendliness.

Evolutionary design: the evolution of an icon

The carefully developed design gives the smart fortwo a fresh, more masculine appearance. Yet it retains its unmistakable character and it will always be recognised as a smart at first glance. Its one-box design, its compact dimensions, the two-colour and two-material concept with the striking tridion safety cell and the innovative and extremely practical plastic bodypanels ? all these features remain.

In future, too, the new smart fortwo will embody the brand's core values of innovation, functionality and joie de vivre. It is a classless car that conveys a positive attitude to life. Its owners have a modern way of thinking and show social and environmental responsibility, demonstrating the form that perfect urban mobility can take today. For them the smart fortwo is a kind of automotive declaration of independence to the effect that this is all the car a person needs in the city.

No other car has a younger clientele. 85 percent of buyers are under 40. They are people with individual lifestyles from different social classes. They all drive a smart. Apart from being extremely economical, lively and easy to drive, with its length of less than three metres this vehicle also takes up very little space on the road and in car parks. The smart fortwo has become a familiar part of the roadscape in many cities, it is now sold in 36 countries worldwide and it is well-liked everywhere. More than 770,000 first generation smart fortwos have been built since 1998.

Engines: powerful, clean, economical

The smart fortwo will be launched in April 2007 with reengineered uprated petrol engines. The three cylinder engine has capacity of one litre and delivers 45 kW, 52 kW or 62 kW (61 bhp, 71 bhp or 84 bhp). The smart fortwo cdi has a power output of 33 kW (45 bhp).

All engines are linked to a new automated manual five-speed transmission from Getrag. The petrol variants now have a maximum speed of 145 km/h - 10 km/h more than the predecessor model.

Despite the greater engine power, the petrol variants consume just 4.9 litres per 100 kilometres under standard conditions. The 45 kW and 52 kW variants of the smart fortwo coup? consume even less: the consumption under standard conditions in accordance with the New European Driving Cycle is just 4.7 litres per 100 kilometres.

The diesel version boasts even lower consumption. The new smart fortwo cdi does not only comply with all European exhaust gas standards - with standard consumption of just 3.4 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres it has the lowest consumption in its class. With CO2 emissions of just 90 grams per kilometre, the smart fortwo cdi achieves "three litre" status and has the lowest CO2 emissions of all cars on the market today.

Still smart ? inside and out

The dimensions have increased as against the first generation. The 19.5 centimetre increase in length benefits pedestrians, rear impact protection and especially ride comfort.

The luggage compartment can now hold 220 litres ? 70 litres more than before ? and when loaded to the roof there is space for up to 340 litres (an extra 80 litres). The new smart fortwo also features the familiar twin-section tailgate. The lower part can be used as a little platform and facilitates loading and unloading. When folded down it can take a load of 50 kilograms.

Like the exterior, it goes without saying that the interior of the smart fortwo remains truly smart. Features include the characteristic external-mounted air vents and dials, the large fabric-covered areas on doors and instrument panel, the safety seats with integral seat belts and last but not least the ignition lock behind the shift lever.

The observer immediately notices that the instrument panel is no longer curved in an S-shape towards the passenger side but is now straight. This is partly to comply with US crash regulations. Nevertheless ? and perhaps because of this ? the new smart fortwo offers a unique feeling of spaciousness.

Safety at the highest level

The high level of passive safety has been further improved. The new smart fortwo has been subjected to extensive tests. These do not only include the requirements of EuroNCAP; as the new smart fortwo will also be sold in the USA from 2008 it also complies with American crash regulations. As well as this, the extremely strict standards of the Mercedes Car Group apply to the smart.

New regulations concerning pedestrian protection have been implemented in the front section. Furthermore, new head/thorax side airbags offering extensive protection in the event of a side crash are available as an option.

smart fortwo cabrio with an electric soft top

The smart fortwo cabrio's electric soft top is a further example of the enhanced comfort. It can now be fully automatically operated and infinitely adjusted to any position. This means that the rear part, too, can be opened to the final position and closed again at the touch of a button.

Unique: the smart fortwo does not have to be stationary for the soft top to be opened or closed ? this can be done at any speed. Furthermore, the roof bars can be removed and stowed in a special compartment in the tailgate. The soft top offers further added comfort and safety thanks to the heated rear window made of glass.

Equipment variants pure, pulse and passion, BRABUS

The equipment variants go by the names of pure, pulse and passion. Whereas the basic pure version has a plastic roof, the pulse and passion feature a transparent panoramic roof made of polycarbonate. Fans of the BRABUS variant also have something to look forward to: the introduction of an uprated BRABUS variant is planned for autumn 2007.

Extensive range of standard equipment and options

The most important standard features include the tridion safety cell, front airbags, seat belts with belt tensioners and belt-force limiters and safety seats with integral seat belts. Further features that are unique in the standard spec of vehicles in this class include esp, abs and an integrated brake assist.

Further excerpts from the long list of standard equipment: H7 headlights featuring projection technology, central locking with radio remote control, folding driver and passenger seat backrests that can be adjusted with a notch lever, an exterior temperature indicator, comfort windscreen wipers with speed-sensitive interval wiping and indicators with lanechanger function.

The smart fortwo can be individualised and tailored to customer requirements with a wide range of extras. These include head/thorax side airbags, air conditioning (standard for passion), electric power steering, heated seats, alloy wheels (standard for pulse and passion), leather seats, Isofix child seat fastener, a high quality audio system with a CD changer for 6 CDs and a sound system featuring a subwoofer and an MP3 interface.

Furthermore, a portable navigation system that can be integrated in the car is available. Voice instructions are given via the loudspeakers of the stereo system. Further options that are often only found in high-end cars include a light and rain sensor and electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors.

Special model "edition limited one"

When the first smart was introduced in 1998 customers had an opportunity to buy a special limited edition given the name "limited/1". A limited edition of 7,500 exclusively equipped vehicles was produced and today this model is a sought-after collector's item.

For the market launch in April 2007 a limited edition of the new smart fortwo will once again be available. Just 1,500 units of the "edition limited one" will be produced as a coup? version only.

The exterior of the "edition limited one" is characterised by a silver tridion safety cell and bodypanels in exclusive pyrite grey metallic. The door mirror caps and radiator grille are also painted silver. Alloy wheels in a six-spoke design with wide tyres and the panoramic roof are further stylish exterior features.

The "edition limited one" is powered by a three-cylinder 52 kW (71 bhp) petrol engine. Interior features include air conditioning, heated seats and a radio.

The special model boasts special exclusive cognac brown used-look nappa leather upholstery which is also featured on the three-spoke sports steering wheel (incl. steering wheel gearshift) and the gear knob. The velour floor mats also have a leather trim.

Hambach: exemplary modular production and protection of the environment

The smart fortwo is produced in the French town of Hambach. System partners on site deliver pre-assembled modules straight to the production line. The production process has been optimised and the production time reduced as against the predecessor from 9.5 hours to 8 hours. The whole final assembly, which only took 4.5 hours for the predecessor model, now takes just 3.5 hours.

Great importance is given to protection of the environment in Hambach. For example, only water-soluble, solvent-free base coats are used for the smart fortwo's plastic bodypanels.

The tridion safety cell is powder coated and no solvents are needed here, either. The solid colour bodypanels in the colours black, white and yellow are fully recyclable.