Dutch website Autoweek.nl has published the first images of the facelifted Smart ForTwo. In comparison to the outgoing model, the revamped ForTwo features slight but significant changes such as its new front grille with the Smart logo placed right in the middle and newly designed front bumper. Front and tail lights have been left untouched as they had been modified when the model year 2010 came out.

The Smart ForTwo 2012 will come with three engine options: a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder unit available in power steps of 71 and 84 hp, and the new 54hp 800cc diesel engine. The car is expected to make its debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, in March.

....

2 comments

A new electric concept from Smart will be revealed at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. The Smart Forvision concept will not only introduce a completely electric setup to the car, the model is also a preview of the future design direction the brand intends on taking on its next generation Fortwo models.

The zero emissions prototype has been developed on the new Renault-Nissan electric platform and has been made in collaboration with BASF using new energy saving solutions. On a design front the model shows similarities with the Smart Forspeed concept seen at Geneva, and uses CFRP for many of its components.

Technical features like the organic solar cells on the roof which create energy to supply the multimedia components and air conditioning might eventually disappear from a production model, as would the plastic wheels as a weight saving device. Other devices include innovative e-textile upholstery which actually produces heat and insulation in the body panels for improved internal temperature control.

Continue reading: Smart Forvision Concept

....

0 comments

Another Smart Brabus model is on the way after this teaser video. It looks like the Smart tuning effort from Brabus is based on the ForTwo and according to World Car Fans, Smart has hinted that it could be the fastest Smart in the world.

Will we be seeing this at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show? We don’t know but expect more teasers to come as Smart snazzes up the range a little. The video also shows the 2003 Roadster V6 bi-turbo and 2006 ForFour race concept which is currently the fastest Smart around until this concept gets revealed.

....

0 comments

You see a few Smart ForTwo models in Europe when one steals your spot for the shopping dash (or recently when I saw a guy actually managed to fish-tail his a couple of times), but here is a ’special’ effort from Mercedes-Benz Italy - the Smart ForTwo Cabrio Brabus La Bleue. Only 60 of these models will be produced, all of them in Italy, and it’s designed to be a tarted-up version of the standard for whoever wanted to pimp their Smart.

The ForTwo Brabus La Bleue gets a new midnight blue tint, day driving lights and Brabus Monoblock VII six-spoke wheels measuring 16 inches at the front and 17 inches at the rear. The interior features a soft beige finish with seats and doors in Nappa leather, Brabus logos in blue stitching and the same blue around the instrument panel.

This Smart ForTwo is equipped with the same 102-hp engine as other Brabus models, getting to 100 km/hr in 8.9 seconds and reaching the top speed of 155 km/hr. Fuel consumption is 5.2 l/100 km and CO2 emissions are 119 g/km. Standard equipment includes touch-screen multimedia display, CD player, iPod interface, USB port and Bluetooth.

Continue reading: Smart ForTwo Cabrio Brabus La Bleue

....

0 comments

Clearly Smart knows it that its Smart ForSpeed Concept could never be profitable which is why the model will be strictly conceptual and will never make production. But it begs the question as to why you would even bother putting this concept model together in the first place. The name “Smart” is looking a lot less like that everyday.

We had something to say about the Mini Rocketman concept in terms of some of the design features we don’t like so much, but it is definitely an intelligent model that could make production in the future if the reaction is right. It doesn’t look like Smart will be getting much reaction beyond either a giggle or a brief look at whatever design features might carry across into future models when its goes on display at the Geneva Motor Show next week.

In any case, the Smart ForSpeed is an electric roadster model with a 40-hp electric motor that achieves a speed of 120 km/hr and range of 135 km. Smart head Annette Winkler says: “We have to be profitable with Smart so it won’t make production. Elements of the car will be carried over into future projects.” While they don’t specify exactly what those elements might be, apparently we’ll see some of them on the third generation Smart ForTwo, but that the brand needs an overhaul with some product that will make it to market seems evident to us right now.

Smart Forspeed Concept

Continue reading: Smart ForSpeed Concept new pics

....

0 comments

Here are more pics of the Smart ForTwo restyling as the city car model seeks to keep its place on the European market. No longer the exclusive niche it once was, the minicar market has a lot more choice than previously and Smart may be struggling to hold its cult status. That said, you still see a lot of these on European city streets.

The new Smart ForTwo model will be available from October and will have a few stylistic touch-ups and even cleaner engines than before. More body tints are available with a Light Green Matte opaque colour in the range while the cabrio model gets new red or blue roof colours.

A few more sophisticated options are available including LED lights and new alloy wheels. The interior features bright colours and a redesigned dash. On the environmental front, Smart claims the petrol units at 61 and 71 hp have reduced emissions, now below the 100 g/km mark, while the diesel models have dropped to 86 g/km of CO2.

Continue reading: Smart ForTwo restyling more pics

....

0 comments

Here’s the official video of the Smart ForTwo restyling which has a few touch-ups on the exterior, new interior features and improved fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Smart is becoming a little cult all its own, and the Smart ForTwo restlying is a good refresher for the moment. The video shows us the new matt green finish now available and some of the new features, including the new multimedia display, that have been included in the interior.

....

0 comments

Grab a pair of shades before looking at the pics of this blinged out Smart ForTwo. Created by Anjuny Eyes China this Swarovski covered Smart is aimed to dazzle, or more like blind the Chinese market.

283,960 sparkling Swarovski stones cover not only the exterior, but the interior is also studded with crystal bling bling, The stones are applied on the leather, drink holders, shift knob, mirrors, seat buckles, and pedals.

The pricing on this pimped up Smart haven’t been released, but if bling is your thing, we doubt that price will really interest you.

Continue reading: Smart ForTwo Blinged to the Max

....

0 comments

The Smart ForTwo coupé and cabrio models get a touch-up this year with some small updates to the exterior, a new interior and a focus on petrol engines which are even more economical. The new Smart ForTwo will have a 2010 Paris Motor Show debut and comes with new 15-inch alloys and an additional green matt colour finish to the current exterior colour choices.

The ForTwo has a redesigned dash which can even squeeze in a 16-inch screen for more communication and entertainment options. It gets new instruments and additional options include a USB port, iPod interface and eight-speaker surround sound system (a veritable pocket disco).

The 1.0-litre, three-cylinder Mitsubishi engine gets a few updates to reduce its CO2 emissions to 97 g/km (in 60 and 70 hp versions). The top-of-the-range engine also gets a slight increase from 98 to 101 hp. The restyled Smart ForTwo is the second generation model of the citycar, which will be replaced in 2013 with a rear-engined, rear-wheel car developed in collaboration with Renault.

Continue reading: New Smart ForTwo updates

....

0 comments

Mini has started development on what is so far dubbed its Mini Minor city car project. The model would be in direct competition with the Smart ForTwo and would be developed alongside the already mooted BMW Megacity project. It would also be designed as a lower-cost model and would make use of technology already available to BMW to keep costs down.

Previously, Mini was skeptical about making this kind of model profitable and had stuck to its successful, premium three-door model. But since then, BMW has committed to developing a three-cylinder engine and new production techniques, meaning Mini can see its way forward to a low-cost city car.

There are no definite plans yet, and a prototype could still be 12 months away. There is no news as to whether it will be a four or two-seater, and whether it will have a front or rear engine. What is certain is that it will be shorter than the current Mini, possibly by about 700mm, but still longer by 300mm than the Smart.

Source | Autocar

....

0 comments

These pics of the Smart ForTwo Electric Drive show the electric car in Monte Carlo, where Smart has an agreement with Monaco to deliver ten units for use in public companies. The initiative starts from next spring and is part of a pre-launch program for the two-seater electric Smart. The program is also extended to Italy where the Smart ForTwo Electric will appear in 100 units with energy company Enel, for use in Rome, Milan and Pisa.

Smart Electric Drive

Continue reading: Smart ForTwo electric drive pics from Monte Carlo

....

0 comments

It may seem odd to compare the Fiat 500C with the Smart ForTwo cabrio but if you’re in the market for a smaller and economical cabrio, these two are likely on your list to check out and Auto, Motor und Sport did a comparison test. In terms of style, there’s not much competition, really, with the 500C being the sexy, retro model out of the two, and the Smart ForTwo cabrio the less attractive option.

However, the 500C is also 40 kg heavier and a significant 2,800 euros more expensive, than the Smart ForTwo cabrio. In terms of practicality, both models are similar with regards to boot space and roof function. The 500C is apparently noisier though, but being slightly bigger, interior space makes for greater comfort. The Smart ForTwo is more your city choice for parking and manageability, at the cost of a roomier vehicle.

The Fiat 500C has greater fuel consumption than the Smart, meaning that you won’t be buying one based on its environmental qualifications. But, if you want to value driving pleasure over economical city commuting, the 500C has to be your choice. Despite its greater cost, it is the more fun to drive, with better feel and transmission than the Smart, and more comfort. So it comes down to your reason for buying one (mountain roads in summer vs city streets) and how far your budget stretches.

Source | Auto Moto und Sport via Cinquecentisti

....

1 comment