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Smart Fortwo
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The Smart Fortwo is a rear-engined two-seater car manufactured by Smart Gmbh and introduced at the 1998 Paris Motor Show. Initially named the Smart City Coupe, the fortwo has now entered its second generation, and in 2008 an all electric concept version of the model, the fortwo ed debuted.
Transmission and shifting performance
The smart features a semi-automatic transmission without a clutch pedal.
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Encyclopedia
The Smart Fortwo is a rear-engined two-seater car manufactured by Smart Gmbh and introduced at the 1998 Paris Motor Show. Initially named the Smart City Coupe, the fortwo has now entered its second generation, and in 2008 an all electric concept version of the model, the fortwo ed debuted.
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.
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. Such parking in parallel-designated spaces is illegal in most U.S.A jurisdictions. Current model is 269 cm (106.1 Inches).
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.
First generation
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.
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 coupe, and luxury top-spec model Passion Cabriolet.
Special editions and concepts
- Cdi:: has the world's smallest diesel engine uses state-of-the-art common-rail direct injection. With a consumption of 3.3 litres (NEDC) per 100 kilometres and CO2 emissions of just 88 grams per kilometre, it has the lowest current production car CO2 emissions worldwide, since Audi's and Volkswagen's retired "3 liter" cars, the A2 1.2 TDI and the Lupo 1.2 TDI respectively .
- 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 . 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.
- Brabus: In the 2007 Geneva Motor Show, Smart introduced the Brabus version of the Smart Fortwo, It has of power and 0 to 100 km/h takes only 9.9 seconds with top speed electrically limited at
Second generation
Introduced November 10, 2006, the second generation features slightly greater length and improved crash performance while maintaining similar styling.
Engine and fuel economy
The new 999 cc version 3B21 (2007 onwards) is produced by Mitsubishi Motors and it comprises normally aspirated (NA) and turbo versions. The NA 999 cc engine has 11.4:1 compression ratio and premium fuel (95+ RON) is recommended. It is rated at . 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.
European Union (EU) testing rates the 999 cc Smart at for the gasoline model and for the diesel. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the vehicle at combined.
Concept
The smart fortwo's length is (second generation).
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 , it is one of the lightest cars in the European market.
Safety
The Smart is equipped with seat-mounted combination side airbags as well as electronic stability control. To maximize the front crumple zone, the smart fortwo's engine is rear-mounted.
In Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tests, the 2008 Smart Fortwo, the smallest car marketed in the US market, earned the top overall rating of Good in both the front and side crash tests. The Fortwo received the Good score in 8 of 11 measured injury categories. Its seat/head restraints earned the second highest rating of Acceptable for protection against whiplash in rear impacts.
NHTSA crash test results for the 2008 Smart Fortwo:
Frontal Driver:
Frontal Passenger:
Side Driver: *The driver door unlatched and opened during the side impact crash which increases the likelihood of occupant ejection.
Rollover:
Euro NCAP crash results:
Adult Occupant:
Pedestrian:
Hybrid
At the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show, Smart has officially launched the microhybrid version of the ForTwo, a mild hybrid. The Smart ForTwo micro-hybrid has gone on sale in October 2007 in Europe. The micro hybrid system is claimed to provide a fuel efficiency improvement eight percent from to almost . Carbon dioxide emissions drop from 112 to 103g/km. The microhybrid sells for € 10,490 (incl. VAT).
Smart ED
Market trials began during 2007 in London of an all-electric version of the fortwo, the "fortwo ED" (Electric Drive, renamed from the original "fortwo EV"). Externally it appears identical to the standard 'Smart Fortwo coupé'. Production delivery is expected in 2010. It will feature output, a top speed of and will be capable of 0- in 6.5 seconds. The European fortwo ED can travel up to between charges. It typically takes around 8 hours for a full charge. Tesla Motors has signed an agreement to supply the first 1000 battery packs for these cars.
At the London motorshow in July 2008, Smart representatives gave estimates of the Smart ED purchase price to be around £16,000 (€20,000).
It has been presented in the 2008 Paris Car Show.
BRABUS
It is a sport package that include a sport exhaust with dual center tips, sport suspension, 15- front and 17-inch rear wheels, power steering and all the BRABUS visual cues. The originally planned turbocharged engine was not included. It is available in cabriolet or coupe variations, the latter equipped with a glass panoramic roof, and a choice of two colors, metallic silver or deep black.
The 2009 Smart Fortwo Brabus has MSRP of $17,990USD for the coupe, and $20,900USD for cabriolet. The Canadian models cost $21,900 for coupe, and $24,900 for cabriolet.
SPECIAL EDITION
smart Canada released a special edition in February 2009, where only 9 special 10-year anniversary cars will be awarded to the smart lottery winners. .
Electric and hybrid propulsion
International markets
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 coupé is AU$19,900, and for the fortwo cabriolet is $22,900. The Smart fortwo is sold through selected Mercedes-Benz dealers.
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 coupé 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 only received the gasoline model because the diesel version does not meet 2007 emission standards. The fortwo carries a 1.0-litre engine that delivers up to and a re-engineered automated-manual 5-speed transmission with a slightly larger body. It is not yet decided if any other engines will be offered by smart Canada in the future such as the micro hybrid or a future diesel model. At this point the 2009 model of the smart will continue to have the 70hp gasoline powererd engine. Despite the changes, the fortwo stills sells well in Canada, with some dealers saying they once again have waiting lists of people looking for the cars.
China
In April 2008, Smart first premiered in the China Auto Show 2008 in Beijing. On October 1, 2008, the Smart "vending machine" road show had the first stop in Shenyang (Isetan), and also started the pre-order period. The cost for reserving a Smart was 388 RMB. The price range of smart fortwo in China is 160,000 to 210,000 RMB.
Japan
There is a Japan-only variant called the Smart K which is the only non-Japanese car that fulfills the regulations for Kei cars.
United States
Modified imports
In early 2006, a specialty automotive import and engineering firm - G and K Auto conversions (GNKAuto.com) of Santa Ana California - after investing millions of dollars in testing and fees, received DOT, NHTSA, and EPA approval to sell a modified European specification Smart Fortwo in the US. The 23 modifications to the Smart Fortwo included DOT certified headlights, reinforced doors for additional side impact protection, an odometer that reads in miles rather than kilometers, and soft padding on the interior pillars and ceiling. Smart Fortwo dealers in the US were a mix of "green car" specialty companies (GreenCarCo.com), (EcoAutoInc.com) and exotic car dealers. Approximately 1,000 model year 2004, 2005, and 2006 Smart cars were imported without Smart's or Mercedes Benz's cooperation and converted by G&K.
Made for US market
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.
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 (Model 451) has been available since January 2008 in the USA. Numerous changes were made from the previous model (450). Its Mercedes Benz power plant was replaced by a non-turbo Mitsubishi 3B21 engine, the interior made more luxurious, and the overall dimensions of the car increased.
The 2009 model year US version of the smart fortwo is available in 3 trims: Pure (base trim), Passion, and Passion cabriolet. Pure has an MSRP of US$11,990, Passion has an MSRP of $13,990, and the Passion Cabriolet has an MSRP $16,990. A reservation program was launched by Smart USA in March, 2007. 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. The average wait is 12 to 18 months for delivery.
The Smart Fortwo was rated as the most fuel efficient two-seater car in the United States Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) 2008 Fuel Economy Guide, with fuel efficiency ratings of 33 mpg (US) city and 41 mpg (US) highway. The 2008 Smart Fortwo coupe was given an EPA fuel efficiency rating of 36 mpg (US) combined.
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. However, the NHTSA cited a Safety Concern on their tests of a 2008 fortwo, stating "during the side impact test, the driver door unlatched and opened. A door opening during a side impact crash increases the likelihood of occupant ejection."
Gallery
Competitors
Electric vehicles:
External links
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