Smart Fortwo

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smart fortwo

Manufacturer	smart GmbH
Parent company	Daimler AG
Also called	City Coupe
Production	1998–present
Assembly	Bottrop, Germany Hambach, France
Class	Microcar
Body style(s)	3-door hatchback 2-door convertible
Layout	RR layout
Related	Smart Roadster Mitsubishi i

First generation

Production	1998-2007
Engine(s)	0.6L petrol(turbo) I3 0.7L petrol (turbo) I3 0.8L diesel (turbo) I3
Transmission(s)	6-speed manual
Wheelbase	71.3 in (1,810 mm)
Length	98.4 in (2,500 mm)
Width	59.6 in (1,510 mm)
Height	61 in (1,500 mm)
Curb weight	730 kg (1,600 lb)
Fuel capacity	8.7 gallons^[clarify]

Second generation

Production	2008-present
Engine(s)	1.0L I3
Transmission(s)	5-speed manual
Wheelbase	73.5 in (1,870 mm)
Length	106.1 in (2,690 mm)
Width	61.4 in (1,560 mm)
Height	60.7 in (1,540 mm)

An example of smart fortwo compact parking

The brand smart launched the fortwo, a rear-engined two-seater at the 1998 Paris Motor Show, at the time naming the car the City Coupe.

1 Concept
2 History
3 Engine and fuel economy
4 Transmission and shifting performance
5 Parking
6 Identity and registration
7 Models
- 7.1 Future plans
8 smart fortwo in other markets
9 Gallery
10 References
11 External links

[edit] Concept

The smart fortwo's length of only 8 ft 10 in (2.69 m) (second generation) allows as many as three of the vehicles to park in the space of a standard-length car.

An exposed, rigid steel frame, marketed as the "Tridion" frame, surrounds and protects the passenger compartment while defining the car's shape and design — and allowing for interchangeable plastic body panels to complete the exterior. With a weight of 730 kg (1,609 lb), it is one of the lightest cars in the European market.

In order to maximize the front crumple zone, the smart fortwo has its engine positioned at the rear of the vehicle.

[edit] History

Immediately prior to the City Coupe's launch, the Mercedes A Class failed a brake-swerve-and-recover maneuver designed to test stability in an emergency situation — the Moose Test — ^[1]. smart took the decision to carry out expensive alterations to the City Coupe that compromised the car’s handling, ride and transmission operation. Initial sales suffered, even though the car had not been the subject of the test. Production projections were slashed from 200k per year to 80k, a difficult start for a new brand with a single product.^[2]

[edit] Engine and fuel economy

The engine range featured turbocharged three cylinder motors. Originally, the base petrol engine had 599 cc, but displacement increased to 698 cc with an early restyling. It was available in 37 kW (50 hp) or 45 kW (61 hp) variants. The turbodiesel engine has 799 cc displacement with 30 kW (40 hp). Engines are mounted in the rear of the vehicle. The new 999 cc version (2007 onwards) comprises normally aspirated (NA) and turbo versions. The turbocharged 999 cc engine has 11.4:1 compression ratio and premium fuel (95+ RON) is recommended. It is rated at 71 hp (53 kW) and is also the only engine currently offered in the US. The US NA 999 cc engine has a 10:1 compression ratio and premium fuel (91 Octane) is recommended. German tuner company Brabus, in a joint venture with Smart, has developed a version with 72 kW (98 hp) and 140 N·m torque, available in Europe only at this time.

EEC testing rates the 999 cc Smart at 4.7 L/100 km (60 mpg imp/50 mpg US) for the gasoline model and 3.4 L/100 km (83 mpg imp/69 mpg US) for the diesel. The EPA rates the vehicle at 36 mpg (US) (6.5 L/100 km/43 mpg imp) combined.

[edit] Transmission and shifting performance

The smart features a semi-automatic transmission without a clutch pedal. Input from floor-mounted shifter or optional steering wheel-mounted paddles controls a servo-operated clutch and sequential automated gearbox. The vehicle may be driven in automatic mode, though the shift points are not as smooth as in a traditional automatic transmission. In paddle shifter mode, the operator controls the shift points but cannot feather or adjust the speed of the clutch. Thus some skill, and a slight lifting of the accelerator pedal, is required to achieve a smooth shift.

Other semi-automatic transmissions have included the Volkswagen Automatic Stickshift, and Honda Hondamatic.

[edit] Parking

The smart car allows back-in parking in otherwise parallel parking zones; its length of 250 cm (98.4 in) equals the width of a truck or a regular parking slot, allowing two or three Smarts to park in a standard space reserved for a single car. However, this type of parking has been banned in Munich, Germany, amongst other places.

[edit] Identity and registration

The smart features interchangeable body panels — whereby one car can easily assume a different look. To accommodate a licensing agent's notation of a vehicle's color, the fortwo is sometimes registered as 'silver' or 'black' based on the Tridion frame color, which remains constant regardless of the body panels.

[edit] Models

The fortwo is available with targa-style removable roof panels (originally city cabrio, now fortwo cabrio), introduced in 2000, and was restyled in 2002. Model variants include the base model pure, sporty mid-spec model pulse, luxury top-spec model passion and the Brabus tuned version - all of which are available in both coupé and cabrio form.

Special editions and concepts

Crossblade: a 2002 limited-edition variant of the city cabrio, a roadster without a windshield, roof or conventional doors, limiting its use. Its weight was still 740 kilograms (1,600 lb). The Brabus-tuned engine developed 52 kW (71 PS) from its 599 cc engine. After Robbie Williams purchased Crossblade number 008, smart began a marketing association with the British singer, using Williams to promote the brand.

Crosstown: a convertible with a foldable windshield based on the fortwo, was presented at IAA Frankfurt in 2005. No plans have yet been announced to bring this model to market.

Nightrun: includes instrument panels, steering wheel, paddles, shifter, Monoblock VI alloy wheels, leather seats and engine upgrade from Brabus. Edition Nightrun is only available with the fortwo coupé.

Truestyle: painted in metallic paint colour, ruby red, available in pure trim.

i-move: a special edition run of 70 fortwo cabrios, based on the passion cabrio specs with Brabus Monobloc VI wheels, Leather interior trim, and Lite White Panels. The Addition of an iPod cradle which held a special edition 20Gb G3 iPod, and an aluminium name plate on the dash confirmed its special edition status.

Forfun2 Concept: an off-road version of the fortwo introduced at the 2005 Athens Motor Show by Greek 4x4 Rally Champion Stefan Attart. The forfun 2 Concept combines the body of a fortwo with the chassis and drivetrain of a Unimog. It sports monster truck-like 26-inch wheels wrapped in 140 cm diameter tires and winding keys where the fortwo's rear wheels are supposed to be. ^[3]

[edit] Future plans

Introduced November 10, 2006, the second generation features slightly greater length and improved crash performance while maintaining similar styling.

An all-electric version of the fortwo, the fortwo ED (Electric Drive, renamed from the origin fortwo EV), is planned for testing in London in 2007. Production delivery is expected in 2010. It will feature 30 kW (41 hp) output and a top speed of 70 mph (112 km/h). It will be capable of 0-30 mph (0–48 km/h) in 6.5 seconds. The European fortwo ED can travel up to 72 miles (116 km) between charges. It typically takes around 8 hours for a full charge. ^[4]^[5]^[6]^[7]

[edit] smart fortwo in other markets

There is a Japan-only variant called the Smart K which is the only non-Japanese car that fulfills the regulations for Keicars. On 26 June 2002, Smart fortwo was exhibited at the new Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) affiliate P.S. 1 in Queens, New York for the first time.

[edit] Australia

The Smart fortwo is available in Australia, in only the middle 'Pulse' range, and with the gasoline engine. As of April 16, 2007 the base price for the fortwo coupe is AU$19,900, and for the fortwo cabriolet is $22,900. ^[8] The Smart fortwo is sold through selected Mercedes-Benz dealers.

[edit] Canada

The Smart fortwo was introduced in Canada in 2004 and sold through Mercedes-Benz dealers. Only the turbo-diesel powerplant was offered for the coupe and convertible models because of tough emission regulations for gasoline engines dictated by Transport Canada. Demand was initially heavy, with up to six-month waiting lists in major urban areas in the spring of 2005. The vehicle has proven especially popular for light errand running for small shops and businesses, with many carrying custom paint jobs or stick-on graphics boldly advertising the associated product or service.

In 2008, Canada will only get the gasoline model because the diesel version does not meet 2007 emission standards. The fortwo will carry a 1.0-litre engine that delivers up to 70 horsepower (52 kW) and re-engineered automated-manual 5-speed transmission with a slightly larger body. The Bluetec-based diesel car will debut in 2009.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] United States

[edit] Modified imports

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In early 2006, a specialty automotive import and engineering firm - G and K Auto conversions (GNKAuto.com) of Santa Ana California - after investing millions in testing and fees, received DOT, NHTSA and EPA approval to sell a modified European specification smart car in the US. The 23 modifications to the smart included DOT certified headlights, reinforced doors for additional side impact protection, an odometer that read in miles rather than kilometres, and soft padding on the interior pillars and ceiling. smart fortwo dealers in the US were a mix of "green car" specialty companies (EcoAutoInc.com) and exotic car dealers. Approximately 1,000 model year 2004, 2005 and 2006 smart cars were imported with Smart Germany/ Mercedes Benz's cooperation and converted by G&K.

[edit] Made for US market

In September 2006, Daimler AG announced that Smart USA, a division of Penske Auto Group, would be the official distributor for Smart in the United States and Puerto Rico.

The redesigned smart fortwo has been available since January 2008. Numerous changes were made from the European Smart. Its turbo-charged Mercedes Benz powerplant was replaced by a non-turbo Mitsubishi 3B21 engine, the EPA mileage was expected to drop by 20%, the interior made more conservative, and the overall dimensions of the car increased.^{[citation needed]}

The US version of the smart fortwo is available in 3 trims: Pure (base trim), Passion, and Passion cabriolet. Pure has an MSRP of US$11,590, Passion has an MSRP of $13,590, and the Passion Cabriolet has an MSRP $16,590. ^[9] A reservation program was launched by Smart USA in March, 2007.^[10]^[11] This program allowed interested parties to place a $99 refundable deposit on the new fortwo in preparation for the product's launch. Since the product's launch, sales have surpassed production and the reservation program continues as a "wait list" program.^[12] ^[13]

The smart fortwo was rated the most fuel efficient car in the U.S. Federal Government's 2008 Fuel Economy Guide apart from hybrids, with mileage estimated at 42 MPG (combined).^[14]

On May 14, 2008, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety released crash test results for the fortwo. The IIHS gave the fortwo top ratings in protecting passengers in front and side crashes. ^[15]