The new smart fortwo - even more smart fortwo
Tornget straight to the point: the new smart fortwo can do everything thatrnthe current model can do - but even better. This means that the newrnsmart fortwo is even more comfortable, even more agile, even safer andrneven more ecological than its predecessor.
The changed runningrngear and the slightly larger body make the smart fortwo even morerncomfortable. The active and passive safety have been further improved.rnThe new drive engineering provides for even more agility and drivingrnfun and also makes the new smart fortwo even more ecological.
Therndesign has been skilfully further developed and gives the new smartrnfortwo a fresh, more masculine appearance. And yet it retains itsrnunmistakable character: you can always tell a smart fortwo at firstrnsight - by its striking tridion safety cell that is also one of thernmain safety features, and by the innovative plastic bodypanels that arernextremely practical into the bargain.
Engines: powerful, clean, economical
Thernsmart fortwo will be launched in April 2007 with reengineered upratedrnpetrol engines. The three cylinder engine has capacity of one litre andrndelivers 45 kW, 52 kW or 62 kW (61 bhp, 71 bhp or 84 bhp). The enginernpower of the smart fortwo cdi has increased by ten percent and nowrnstands at 33 kW (45 bhp).
Allrnengines are linked to an automated manual five-speed transmission fromrnGetrag that has also been reengineered. The petrol versions now have arnmaximum speed of 145 km/h - 10 km/h more than the predecessor model.
Still smart - inside and out
Therndimensions have increased as against the first generation. The 19.5rncentimetre increase in length benefits pedestrians, rear impactrnprotection and especially ride comfort.
The luggage compartmentrncan hold 220 litres - 70 litres more than before - and when loaded tornthe roof there is space for up to 340 litres (a further 80 litres). Thernnew smart fortwo also features the familiar twin-section tailgate. Thernlower section can be used as a little platform and facilitates loadingrnand unloading.
Like the exterior, it goes without saying that therninterior of the smart fortwo remains truly smart. Typical smartrncharacteristics include the external-mounted air vents and additionalrndials, the large, fabric-covered areas on doors and instrument panel,rnthe safety seats with integral seat belts and last but not least thernignition lock behind the shift lever.
The observer immediatelyrnnotices that the instrument panel is no longer curved in an S-shaperntowards the passenger side but is now straight. This is partly torncomply with US crash regulations. Nevertheless - and perhaps because ofrnthis - the new smart fortwo offers a unique feeling of spaciousness.
Safety at the highest level
Thernhigh level of passive safety has been further improved. Internal crashrntests have shown that the smart fortwo will be at the level of fourrnEuroNCAP stars.
And that's not all: as the new smart fortwo willrnbe sold in the USA from 2008 it also complies with the strict Americanrncrash regulations.
Likewise, new regulations concerningrnpedestrian protection have been implemented in the front section.rnFurthermore, new head/thorax side airbags offering extensive protectionrnin the event of a side crash are available as an option.
Exceedingly low consumption
Thernoutstanding economy of the smart fortwo is underlined by furtherrnoptimisations. Despite the greater engine power, the petrol versionsrnconsume less than five litres of fuel over 100 km.
The smartrnfortwo with a starter generator that will be available from the end ofrn2007 and will be based on the 52 kW petrol version, promises furtherrnsavings of up to 13 percent in city traffic.
This has particularrnadvantages when driving in urban areas and frequent stop-and-gorntraffic: the three-cylinder engine automatically switches off when therncar stops at traffic lights, for example. It starts again as soon asrnthe driver presses the accelerator pedal.
The new smart fortworncdi consumes even less fuel. The diesel engine in the predecessor modelrnalready had the lowest consumption of its class and the new smartrnfortwo also achieves "three litre" status (corresponds to consumptionrnof less than 3.5 litres/100 km under standard conditions) withrnemissions of just 90 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre.
Alternativerndrives are also possible and the new smart fortwo has been designed tornallow for quick implementation of natural gas or electric drivernconcepts - as soon as there is a demand for these new drive systems andrnthey become economically viable.
smart fortwo cabrio with an electric soft top
Thernsmart fortwo cabrio's electric soft top is a further example of thernenhanced comfort. It is now fully automatic and can be infinitelyrnadjusted to any position. This means that the rear part, too, can bernopened to the final position and closed again at the touch of a button.
Unique:rnthe smart fortwo doesn't have to be stationary for this - the soft toprncan be opened and closed at any driving speed. Furthermore, the roofrnbars can be removed and stowed in a special compartment in therntailgate. The soft top offers further added comfort and safety with thernheated rear window made of glass.
Equipment variants pure, pulse and passion, BRABUS variant
Thernequipment lines continue to go by the names of pure, pulse and passion.rnWhereas the basic pure version has a plastic roof, the pulse andrnpassion feature a transparent, high-strength panoramic roof made ofrnpolycarbonate. Fans of the BRABUS variant also have something to lookrnforward to: the introduction of an uprated BRABUS variant is plannedrnfor autumn 2007.
Extensive range of standard equipment and options
Thernmost important standard features include the tridion safety cell, frontrnairbags, seat belts with belt tensioners and belt-force limiters andrnsafety seats with integral seat belts. Further features that are uniquernin the standard spec of vehicles in this class include esp, abs and anrnintegrated brake assist.
Further excerpts from the long list ofrnstandard equipment: H7 headlights featuring projection technology,rncentral locking with radio remote control, folding driver and passengerrnseat backrests that can be adjusted with a notch lever, an exteriorrntemperature indicator, comfort windscreen wipers with speed-sensitiverninterval wiping and indicators with lanechanger function.
Thernsmart fortwo can be individualised and tailored to customerrnrequirements with a wide range of extras. These include head/thoraxrnside airbags, air conditioning (standard for passion), electric powerrnsteering, heated seats, alloy wheels (standard for pulse and passion),rnleather seats, Isofix child seat fastener, a high quality audio systemrnwith a CD changer for 6 CDs and a sound system featuring a subwooferrnand an MP3 interface.
Furthermore, a portable navigation systemrnthat can be integrated in the car is available. Voice instructions arerngiven via the loudspeakers of the stereo system. Further options thatrnare often only found in high-end cars include a light and rain sensorrnand electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors.
Hambach: exemplary modular production and protection of the environment
Thernsmart fortwo is produced in the French town of Hambach. System partnersrnon site deliver pre-assembled modules straight to the production line.rnThe production process has been optimised and the production timernreduced from 9.5 hours to 8 hours. The whole final assembly, which onlyrntook 4.5 hours for the predecessor model, now takes just 3.5 hours.
Greatrnimportance is given to protection of the environment in Hambach. Onlyrnwater-soluble, solvent-free base coats are used for the smart fortwo'srnplastic bodypanels.
The tridion safety cell is powder coated andrnno solvents are needed here, either. The solid colour bodypanels in therncolours black, white and yellow are fully recyclable.
Same price level as the previous model
Thernbasic price for the new smart fortwo will stay at the level of thernpredecessor model. The diesel variant, too, will remain an inexpensivern"three litre" car that will continue the great success of itsrnpredecessor. Likewise, the new smart fortwo cabrio will continue to bernby far the cheapest production cabriolet available worldwide.
