2007
ZUR DEUTSCHEN VERSION |
The new smart fortwo - better than ever
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 wellliked 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 coupé 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. Page 6 of 55 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 coupé 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 preassembled 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 watersoluble, 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. |
DaimlerChrysler Communications,
Stuttgart (Germany), Auburn Hills (USA) , press information, February
2007 |
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