smart fortwo

Dealers will sell three trim levels of the smart fortwo. The pure coupe will retail starting at $11,590(a), the passion coupe will retail starting at $13,590(a) and the well-equipped passion cabriolet will retail starting at $16,590(a). Complete information about pricing, standard equipment and options can be found at http://www.smartusa.com.

Anticipated opening dates for authorized smart USA dealerships are indicated below and are subject to change. An updated list of authorized dealerships can be found on the company's website at http://www.smartusa.com. Please contact each individual dealership for additional information, including exact opening dates.

The outstanding economy of the smart fortwo is underlined by further optimisations. Despite the greater engine power, the petrol versions consume less than five litres of fuel over 100 km.

The smart fortwo with a starter generator that will be available from the end of 2007 and will be based on the 52 kW petrol version, promises further savings of up to 13 percent in city traffic.

This has particular advantages when driving in urban areas and frequent stop-and-go traffic: the three-cylinder engine automatically switches off when the car stops at traffic lights, for example. It starts again as soon as the driver presses the accelerator pedal.

The new smart fortwo cdi consumes even less fuel. The diesel engine in the predecessor model already had the lowest consumption of its class and the new smart fortwo also achieves "three litre" status (corresponds to consumption of less than 3.5 litres/100 km under standard conditions) with emissions of just 90 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre.

Alternative drives are also possible and the new smart fortwo has been designed to allow for quick implementation of natural gas or electric drive concepts – as soon as there is a demand for these new drive systems and they become economically viable.

The smart fortwo cabrio's electric soft top is a further example of the enhanced comfort. It is now fully automatic and can be 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 doesn't have to be stationary for this – the soft top can be opened and closed at any driving 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 with the heated rear window made of glass.

The equipment lines continue to 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, high-strength 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.

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.

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 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. 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.

The basic price for the new smart fortwo will stay at the level of the predecessor model. The diesel variant, too, will remain an inexpensive "three litre" car that will continue the great success of its predecessor. Likewise, the new smart fortwo cabrio will continue to be by far the cheapest production cabriolet available worldwide.

Agility: Even more power

es: more power and torque

Stuttgart, Nov 09, 2006

State-of-the-art compact three-cylinder engines are installed at the rear of new smart fortwo. For the petrol engines, the engine capacity has been increased from 0.7 to 1.0 litres. There are two naturally aspirated engine versions to choose from, delivering 45 or 52 kW (61 / 71 bhp) respectively, and a turbo engine rated at 62 kW (84 bhp). In addition to the increase in power, the maximum speed has also been increased – to 145 km/h.

The all-aluminium engine was developed in cooperation with Mitsubishi, and is produced in Japan. It has been further developed for use in the new smart fortwo.

The engine is mounted transversally in front of the rear axle, and is slanted at an angle of 45 degrees towards the rear. The cylinder barrels take the form of grey cast iron liners. Gas exchange is controlled by four valves per combustion chamber. The valves are controlled by separate intake and exhaust camshafts, via bucket tappets.

To allow high torque to be developed even at low engine speeds, the intake camshafts can be twisted electrohydraulically against the exhaust camshafts (variable valve control). The camshafts are driven via a maintenance-free timing chain.

Because the masses being moved are low, there is no need for a balancer shaft – which would reduce the output of the engine. However, in the turbo version there is a torsional vibration damper on the crankshaft.

The maximum charge pressure is 0.5 bar, with control taking place via a wastegate valve in the turbocharger. To ensure a long service life, the charger is fitted with a water cooling system, while the charge air cooler is based on air/air technology and is located behind the transmission.

Both petrol engines comply with exhaust gas standard Euro 4. The naturally aspirated engine's compression ratio is 11.5:1, while in the turbo engine it is 10:1. They offer torques of 92 and 120 Nm. The three-cylinder engine is one of the most economical engines in its segment. The naturally aspirated engine as well as the turbo version consume less than five litres over 100 km.

Diesel: at present there is no more economical way to drive

The highly-focused reengineering of the engine has resulted in a performance increase of ten percent, and the engine now has an output of 33 kW (45 bhp). In terms of emission levels, it complies with Euro 4.

The new smart fortwo cdi achieves the coveted “three-litre car” status. It emits just 90 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre, meaning it consumes less than 3.5 litres of fuel per 100 km. At present there is no more economical car than the smart fortwo cdi.

Its diesel particle filter (open system), which stops more than 40 percent of soot emissions, is unique in its segment. As of 2008, the smart fortwo cdi will be available with a closed system.

The new automated manual transmission: change gears without the need for a clutch.

In future, smart fortwo drivers will benefit from a newly-developed transmission that they will get used to straight away. Instead of the previous six gears, the transmission produced by the specialist Getrag now has five gears, and offers considerable advantages in terms of comfort, fuel consumption and agility.

In the new smart fortwo there is once again no clutch pedal, as this task is performed by an electric motor. If the shift lever on the centre console is briefly tapped forwards, the transmission will switch up a gear, and if it is drawn back, down a gear. Steering wheel gearshift allowing the gears can be changed by means of paddles on the steering wheel is available as an option (standard for pulse).

To the right of the manual level, marked with a plus and minus sign, is the neutral position, N. Reverse gear is engaged by pulling the shift lever backwards from this position.

The smart fortwo passion comes with the automated gear programme (softouch) as standard (optional for pure and pulse). It can be recognised by a small button on the shift lever.

When this is pressed down, the transmission switches over from manual gear shifting (softip) to the automatic gear programme. It's the ideal solution for use in stop-and-go traffic. As soon as the driver moves the shift lever manually, the system returns to manual gear-changing mode.

The developers have also greatly improved the shift delays. Shift delays have been reduced by more than half compared to the previous model. This is particularly beneficial when the driver wants to shift down two gears at once. This, coupled with the considerably increased torque, makes for even greater ride comfort.

To improve ride comfort even more, the transmission has a kickdown function. This allows the driver to use the accelerator pedal to shift down two gears at once, in both manual and automatic mode. Incorrect gear changing and overrevving are impossible, because the electronics will only accept reasonable gear changes.

Longer wheelbase, more agility, more comfort

The developers devoted a great deal of attention to the suspension. Their aim was to make the smart substantially more agile, yet at the same time more comfortable. Quite the technical balancing act.

Their success in this area is reflected not least in the geometry of the new smart. The wheelbase has increased by 55, the front track widths by 11, and the rear track widths by 31 millimetres. This improves the driving dynamics and reduces the likelihood of pitching and rolling. The very perceptible result is that the new smart is more agile, sportier – and at the same time more comfortable.

Front axle

At the front, a classic McPherson construction has been used. The damper strut is directly hinged to the wishbone, to ensure far better responsiveness. The diameter of the stabiliser is 18.5 millimetres, and it very effectively prevents the vehicle body from rolling in bends. At the factory, tyres of size 155/60 R 15 are fitted to 4.5 inch rims with a wheel offset of 23.5 millimetres. The pulse equipment variant comes with tyres of size 175/55 R 15 (front) and 195/50 R 15 (rear).

Rear axle

The tried-and-tested DeDion construction has been kept. The position of the central mount has been changed (moved higher), which has had a positive effect on the manoeuvrability of the fortwo. The springs are now further out than in the previous model, thereby supporting the vehicle body even more effectively against rolling. The size of the tyres on the rear axle in the basic version is 175/55 R 15 on 5.5 inch rims with a wheel offset of 22 millimetres.

Steering

The smart fortwo has rack-and-pinion steering. The transmission ratio is 22:1. Thus the steering is transmitted almost ten percent more directly than that of its predecessor. The turning circle is just 8.75 metres – a figure unmatched by any other small car. This makes manoeuvring extremely easy. It allows turning in places where any other car would have to shunt to and fro. And it's just 3.5 turns of the wheel from stop to stop.

Electric power steering is available for the smart at an extra charge. Its transmission ratio is just 21:1. It operates on a linear basis and gives the fortwo astonishingly agile handling. The electric boost power varies according to vehicle speed, steering angle and the amount of force applied to the steering wheel. The servo effect decreases noticeably as the vehicle's speed goes up. The servo power really comes into its own during parking and manoeuvring around town.

Wheels and tyres

The basic tyres for the smart fortwo measure 155/60 R 15 at the front and 175/55 R 15 at the rear. In the case of the pure they are fitted to steel rims, while for the passion they are mounted on aluminium rims. The pulse is the sporty exception to the rule. It zips along on alloy wheels with tyres measuring 175/55 R 15 at the front and 195/50 R 15 at the rear.

Brakes

Because the electronically limited maximum speed has been increased, the smart fortwo's brakes have grown as well. Disc brakes are fitted at the front, while drum brakes are fitted at the rear. The electronic stability programme esp with integrated abs and electronic brake-force distribution are included in the standard spec, as is a hydraulic brake booster.

The fortwo is the only car in its class to come with brake assist. When it detects abrupt emergency braking, brake assist automatically provides full brake pressure in order to ensure optimum deceleration. It offers a helping hand in those situations where the driver has pressed the brake pedal quickly, but not firmly enough.

Driving dynamics

Thanks to extensive changes to its suspension, and its new geometry (wheelbase, track widths, pivot points), handling of the smart has been significantly improved. It is considerably more agile and responsive than its predecessor. However, despite the car's more sporty design, no compromises are made on comfort. And longer journeys present no problem at all for the new smart fortwo.

Safety: The new smart fortwo is even safer

Body

Stuttgart, Nov 09, 2006

The smart fortwo has always been a car whose design people immediately associated with a high level of safety. It is a real trendsetter in terms of safety developments in small cars. And that applies to the new version too. The smart fortwo has been subjected to extensive tests to ensure that it complies with the tough standards of the Mercedes Car Group.

These include not only the requirements of EuroNCAP, but also the (in some cases different) standards applicable in America. The little two-seater had to withstand, for example, front and side impacts as well as a rollover test and rear crash (80 km/h).

The tridion safety cell protects its occupants like the hard shell around a nut. In addition, the metal housing is additionally reinforced at strategically important points with high-strength steel. This makes up more than 50 percent of the shell.

The tridion safety cell's longitudinal and transverse members activate the crumple zone of the other vehicle involved in the accident and distribute the impact energy evenly over the car's body. And in case of a collision, the wheels also take on the function of crumple zones. When this happens, the front wheels are supported by the side members.

esp

After the seatbelt, esp – and not, as many people believe, the airbag – is lifesaver no. 2. Studies by German insurers have revealed that a quarter of all car accidents involving personal injuries and 40 percent of all fatal motor accidents could have been less severe with esp.

In other words: every year, 37,000 accidents in which people are injured and 1,100 accidents involving fatalities in Germany could be prevented, or at least their severity reduced. But only 58 percent of models available in Germany today come with esp as standard. And for one in every five, an electronic stability programme is not even available for an additional charge.

Not so for the smart fortwo: the new model, too, offers esp as standard, whereas other manufacturers in this segment only offer it at an extra charge – if at all.

If the car should ever start to lose control, esp will kick in within a matter of milliseconds. The electronics brake the individual wheels as necessary, and throttle the engine power. esp also includes an integrated hill start assist function. This prevents the vehicle from rolling backwards as it moves off on an uphill slope.

The integrated hydraulic brake assist function also comes as standard. It automatically triggers controlled emergency braking as soon as the electronics register that the driver has pressed the brake pedal quickly, but not firmly enough. This can considerably reduce the car's braking distance.

abs

The anti-lock braking system prevents the wheels from blocking during emergency braking. This reduces the braking distance, and allows the smart to remain steerable even in this emergency situation. Because it is a component of the esp, abs comes as standard in every version of the smart fortwo, and also features electronic brake-force distribution.

Pedestrian protection

The engineers also put plenty of thought into pedestrian protection. The front-end section is now 72 millimetres longer. The impact zone at the front is a little steeper and a few centimetres higher than that of the previous model.

The axes of the windscreen wipers, which have a clap-hands design and come with soft aero wiper blades (unique in the small car segment), are in a concealed position. The service panel (front lid) is made from elastic plastic. The front spoiler is backed with foam five centimetres thick at impact height.

The headlamp housing is a particularly important safety feature. Because its upper part is located in the potential head impact zone, but there is not enough room in the front section of the car for the module to be moved to another position, the developers have applied break points to allow the component to collapse in case of an impact in that area.

Side protection

Sitting approximately 200 millimetres higher than in a comparable small car usually means better protection in tricky situations. Thanks to the sandwich-type construction of the tridion safety cell, the passengers are usually somewhat above the direct danger zone in the event of a side impact.

The smart's wheels perform a safety function here as well. If the smart fortwo is hit from the side, its compact design is of considerable advantage. Thanks to the smart's relatively short wheelbase of 1867 millimetres, the other car will almost always hit an axle, which can then absorb the impact energy.

All interior trims have been optimised to prevent injuries to occupants – even those who may not be wearing a seatbelt. The side roof bars, for example, have been made even slimmer to provide more headroom. And the soft foam-backed lower instrument panel (kneepad) offers a great deal more protection for the passengers' knees and lower legs.

To comply with yet more stringent crash requirements and additional US standards, the door structure of the new smart fortwo is now made of steel, instead of the aluminium used previously. The doors for the coupé and cabrio are identical. High-strength sheet metal has been welded in at critical points. Overall the doors are 2.5 kilos heavier than those of the previous fortwo.

EuroNCAP

The new smart fortwo has been designed to achieve four EuroNCAP stars - and this has been demonstrated in internal crash tests. The vehicle also fulfils all of the applicable American crash legislation.

Airbags

Every smart comes with a full-size airbag for driver and passenger as standard. The passenger airbag (volume: 130 litres) is now located at the top of the instrument panel, to enable it to intercept passengers who are not perfectly in position in the car, or may even not be wearing a seatbelt.

If a child seat has been fitted using an Isofix fastener (optional), the passenger airbag can be deactivated with the ignition key. The keyhole is situated on the right side of the instrument panel. A red light will appear on the roof frame next to the interior light as a warning that the airbag is deactivated.

Also available as an option are new head/thorax side airbags, which are housed in the sides of the seat backrests. These protect both the upper body and the head.

Belts

Belt tensioners and belt-force limiters are standard features in the smart. In case of a frontal impact greater than a defined level of severity, the belt tensioners will reduce any slack in a matter of milliseconds. The belt force-limiter carefully releases more belt before too much pressure is exerted on the chest, allowing the occupants to participate in the deceleration.

Ecology: Even lower fuel consumption

Production

Stuttgart, Nov 09, 2006

The smart fortwo is produced at "smartville" in Hambach, France. System partners on site deliver the prefabricated modules directly to the production line. The production process has been optimised to such an extent that the entire final assembly process, which previously only took 4.5 hours, now takes just 3.5 hours.

Environmental protection is a high priority in Hambach. For example, for the smart's three basic colours – black, white and yellow – only water-soluble paints are used. Painting of the tridion safety cell takes the form of a powder-coating process. This removes the need for solvents. The bodypanels, with moulded-in colour, are fully recyclable.

Parts of the underbody and the inner wheelhouses are produced entirely from recyclates. The instrument panel is made partly from the renewable raw material flax.

Parking spaces/multi-storey car parks

Though the new smart fortwo is 19.5 centimetres longer than its predecessor, it is still unbeatable in terms of the amount of parking space it requires. Where any other small car would have to pass on by, the smart fits in. No other car in its class takes up less space on the road.

It's even still possible to park perpendicular to the flow of traffic. No more than 2.50 metres of the car will ever project into the road, provided that the wheels are right up against the kerb so that part of the vehicle’s body (either at the front or back) extends over it.

The lower levels of air pollution that the smart produces in town are also worth a mention. While drivers of other cars need to drive around at length, producing unnecessary emissions, until they find a suitable parking space, the driver of a smart fortwo can generally find a parking space straight away.

Car park operators often offer special smart parking spaces, which would be too small for other cars, at a reduced price.

smart fortwo cdi with "three-litre" status

The smart fortwo is one of the most economical cars on the road today. The petrol version engines consume less than five litres per 100 kilometres.

The diesel version, with its common-rail direct injection, remains unbeatable. Despite its slightly increased weight compared to that of its predecessor, the engine engineers have succeeded in reducing yet further the fuel consumption of this three-cylinder diesel engine. Its carbon dioxide (CO2) emission amounts to just 90 grams per kilometre, which corresponds to a fuel consumption of less than 3.5 litres.

The petrol engines and the diesel engine all comply with exhaust gas standard Euro 4. Furthermore, a diesel particle filter (open system) is available for the smart fortwo cdi, which stops some 40 percent of soot emissions. As of 2008, the smart fortwo cdi will be available with a closed system.

From the end of 2007, a version of the 52 kW petrol engine with a starter generator will be available. This allows fuel consumption in city traffic to be reduced by up to 13 percent.

Ease of repair

The new smart fortwo is again characterised by a sturdy tridion safety cell with an outer skin made from elastic plastic components (bodypanels). The smart comes away completely undamaged by small parking bumps, which for many other cars would immediately mean expensive repairs.

The white, black or yellow panels are flexible and the colour is moulded-in, so scratches go virtually unnoticed. If the worst comes to the worst, they can simply be replaced quickly and inexpensively. There's no need for repainting.

Further protection against damage is provided by an aluminium support located transversally behind the bumper, and crash boxes, which absorb deformation energy and protect the vehicle body itself. The boxes are bolted on and can be replaced inexpensively if necessary.

Stability of value

After eight years on the market, the smart fortwo is one of the most value-stable cars there is - not just in its class. This is probably thanks to its cult status.

The new smart fortwo looks well set to continue setting standards in terms of value stability: it is even more comfortable, even more agile, even safer and even more ecological than its predecessor.

smart fortwo: Technical data

smart fortwo cdi

Engine

Type	diesel
Number of cylinders/configuration	three in-line
Valves	two per cylinder
Capacity (cc)	799
Bore x stroke (mm)	65.5 x 79
Rated output (kW/bhp)	33/45
Fuel delivery	common-rail direct injection

Power transmission

Clutch	single-plate dry clutch
Transmission	automated manual five-speed transmission

Running gear

Front axle	wishbone, McPherson strut, anti-roll bar
Rear axle	DeDion rear axle, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers
Brake system	electronic stability programme esp with hill start assist anti-lock braking system abs with electronic brake-force distribution, acceleration skid control, electronic brake assist dual-circuit brake system with tandem servo assistance, disc brakes at front, drum brakes at rear
Steering	rack-and-pinion steering
Wheels and tyres front/rear	pure: 155/60R15 auf 4.5Jx15 (front), 175/55R15 on 5.5Jx15 (rear) pulse: 175/55R15 on 5Jx15 (front), 195/50R15 on 6.5Jx15 (rear) passion: 155/60R15 on 4.5Jx15 (front), 175/55R15 on 5.5Jx15 (rear)

Dimensions and weights

Wheelbase (mm)	1,867
Track width front (mm)	1,283
Track width rear (mm)	1,385
Length (mm)	2,695
Width (mm)	1,559
Height (mm)	1,542
Turning circle (m)	8.75
Luggage compartment capacity (l)	220 to waist line / 340 to roof
Weight without driver (kg)	780 (cabrio: 820)
Payload (kg)	270 (cabrio: 230)
Permissible total weight (kg)	1,050
Fuel tank capacity/reserve (l)	33/5

Performance

Maximum speed (km/h)

135

Fuel consumption (l / 100 km) / diesel in acc. with NEDC

Combined	< 3.5
Emission class	EU4

smart fortwo 45 kW

Engine

Type	petrol engine
Number of cylinders/configuration	three in-line
Valves	four per cylinder
Engine capacity (cc)	999
Bore x stroke (mm)	72 x 81.8
Rated output (kW/bhp)	45/61
Max. torque /Nm)	89
Fuel delivery	electr. multipoint injection

Power transmission

Clutch	single-plate dry clutch
Transmission	automated manual five-speed transmission

Running gear

Front axle	wishbone, McPherson strut, anti-roll bar
Rear axle	DeDion rear axle, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers
Brake system	Electronic stability programme esp with hill start assist anti-lock braking system abs with electronic brake-force distribution, acceleration skid control, electronic brake assist dual-circuit brake system with tandem servo assistance, disc brakes at front, drum brakes at rear
Steering	rack-and-pinion steering
Wheels and tyres front/rear	155/60R15 on 4.5Jx15 (front), 175/55R15 on 5.5Jx15 (rear)

Dimensions and weights


Wheelbase (mm)	1,867
Track width front (mm)	1,283
Track width rear (mm)	1,385
Length (mm)	2,695
Width (mm)	1,559
Height (mm)	1,542
Turning circle (m)	8.75
Luggage compartment capacity (l)	220 to waist line / 340 to roof
Weight without driver (kg)	750 (cabrio: 790)
Payload (kg)	270 (cabrio: 230)
Permissible total weight (kg)	1,020