Smart Fortwo
Encyclopedia
The Smart Fortwo is a rear-engined two-seater city car
manufactured by Smart GmbH
, introduced at the 1998 Paris Motor Show as the Smart City Coupé, and currently in its second generation. The name refers to its seat capacity.
In 2008, Smart debuted an all-electric concept, the Fortwo ed.
without a clutch pedal, six-speed for the first generation, five-speed for the second. 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.
From 2009, second generation Fortwos were delivered with improved software that made automatic gear changes both smoother and faster than earlier models. The software, in the form of a free ECU upgrade was also made available for 2008 second generation cars, along with a new battery in certain cases.
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.
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.
and it comprises normally aspirated (NA) and turbo versions. The turbo petrol version has a power of 84 PS (83 hp). The NA 999 cc engine has 11.4:1 compression ratio and premium fuel (95+ octane RON) is recommended. It is rated at 71 hp. The US NA 999 cc engine has a 10:1 compression ratio and premium fuel (91 octane AKI) is recommended and is rated at 70 hp (71 PS; 52 kW). German tuner company Brabus, in a joint venture with Smart, has developed a version with 72 kW (97 hp; 98 PS) and 140 N·m torque, originally available only in Europe, but now available elsewhere.
European Union
(EU) testing rates the 999 cc Smart at 4.7 L/100 km for the gasoline model and 3.4 L/100 km for the diesel. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the vehicle at 36 miles per US gallon combined.
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 730 kg (1,609 lb), it is one of the lightest cars in the European market.
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
(IIHS) 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. The IIHS did an offset crash test
with a Smart Fortwo and Mercedes-Benz C-Class
, which is 40% of one car's driver's side head on with 40% of another car's driver's side, and the Smart received a "Poor" rating due to the occupants' heads slamming into the steering wheel. Also, there was too much intrusion into the footwell of the Smart Fortwo. The dummy movement was not well controlled. The Smart Fortwo spun 450 degrees in the air upon impact.
U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA) crash test results for the 2008 Smart Fortwo:
Euro NCAP crash results:
Zytek
developed the motor and produced the first-generation "smart EV" cars powered by sodium-nickel chloride batteries.
Market trials began during 2007
in London. Externally it appears identical to the standard 'Smart Fortwo coupé'.
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 was also presented at the 2008 Paris Car Show.
Production delivery was expected in 2010. It will feature 30 kW output, a top speed of 70 mph (112.7 km/h) and will be capable of 0-30 mph (48.3 km/h) in 6.5 seconds. The European fortwo ED can travel up to 72 miles (115.9 km) between charges. It typically takes around 8 hours for a full charge.
In 2008 Tesla Motors
signed an agreement to supply the first 1000 battery packs for these cars.
In August 2009 Daimler announced production of second-generation vehicles using Tesla's lithium-ion battery packs would begin in late 2009 for trials in Europe and the USA, with general availability in 2012.
The 2009 Smart Fortwo Brabus has Manufacturer's Suggested retail price (MSRP) of $18,635USD for the coupe, and $21,635USD for cabriolet. The Canadian models cost $21,900 for coupe, and $24,900 for cabriolet.
All of the cars are arctic grey metallic with chalet brown and alcantara leather interiors with black BRABUS Monoblock 7 wheels. Each car has a number plate on the dash to signify its production number out of ten. One was given away in the 10th anniversary contest and the remaining 9 cars were available for purchase via smart Canada's buyers draw.
smart Canada also produced 1:87 scale versions, of which 10,000 were made.
since 2003 in only the middle 'Pulse' range, and with the petrol engine. As of April 16, 2007 the base price for the fortwo coupé is A$
19,900, and for the fortwo cabriolet is $22,900. The Smart fortwo is sold through selected Mercedes-Benz
dealers.
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 70 hp 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 70 hp gasoline powered engine. Due to the changes, the fortwo sales plummeted in Canada.
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
(at 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 158,000 to 206,000 RMB.
s.
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.
(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 (at the time of the announcement it was United Auto Group, later changed to PAG) 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 and the overall dimensions of the car increased.
The 2009 model year US version of the smart fortwo is available in three 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 used to be 12 to 18 months for delivery; although due to the economy, many buyers couldn't purchase the vehicles when they were ready for delivery and many are available on dealer lots.
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 miles per US gallon city and 41 miles per US gallon highway. The 2008 Smart Fortwo coupe was given an EPA fuel efficiency rating of 36 miles per US gallon 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 U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(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."
released the Shuanghuan Noble
(also known as the Martin Motors Bubble), designed similarly to the Fortwo and prompting Daimler AG to sue Shuanghuan for copyright infringement. The German manufacturer persuaded the Italian court to prohibit the Noble from being exhibited at the Bologna Motor Show
, but importer Martin Motors violated that injunction and put the car on display.
In May 2009, a Greek judge ruled against Daimler, allowing the Noble to be sold in Greece
. The judge cited that "if a vehicle varies in its technical specification, then any external similarities are irrelevant." This was in reference to the Noble being a front-engine, front-wheel-drive car while the ForTwo is rear-engined and rear-wheel-drive.
City car
A city car is a small car intended for use primarily in an urban area.City cars are sold worldwide and most automotive industry manufacturers have one or two in their line-up. In North-America city cars are often referred to simply as "subcompacts" alongside the superminis. These kind of cars...
manufactured by Smart GmbH
Smart (automobile)
Smart is an automotive branch of Daimler AG. Smart is a German manufacturer of microcars produced in Hambach, France, and Böblingen, Germany...
, introduced at the 1998 Paris Motor Show as the Smart City Coupé, and currently in its second generation. The name refers to its seat capacity.
In 2008, Smart debuted an all-electric concept, the Fortwo ed.
Transmission and shifting performance
The Smart features an automated manual transmissionSemi-automatic transmission
A semi-automatic transmission is an automobile transmission that does not change gears automatically, but rather facilitates manual gear changes by dispensing with the need to press...
without a clutch pedal, six-speed for the first generation, five-speed for the second. 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
Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
. 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.
From 2009, second generation Fortwos were delivered with improved software that made automatic gear changes both smoother and faster than earlier models. The software, in the form of a free ECU upgrade was also made available for 2008 second generation cars, along with a new battery in certain cases.
Parking
The Smart car allows back-in parking in otherwise parallel parkingParallel parking
thumb|250px|right|Parallel-parked cars in [[Washington, D.C.]]thumb|250px|right|A motorist gets assistance parallel-parkingParallel parking is a method of parking a vehicle in line with other parked cars. Cars parked in parallel are in one line, parallel to the curb, with the front bumper of each...
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
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, amongst other places. Such parking in parallel-designated spaces is illegal in most U.S.A jurisdictions.
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 (1998–2007)
The first generation first appeared in 1998, and it was replaced in 2002 by a facelift version.Engine
The engine ranges featured turbochargedTurbocharger
A turbocharger, or turbo , from the Greek "τύρβη" is a centrifugal compressor powered by a turbine that is driven by an engine's exhaust gases. Its benefit lies with the compressor increasing the mass of air entering the engine , thereby resulting in greater performance...
three cylinder
Straight-3
A straight-three engine, also known as inline-three engine, or a triple, is a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine with three cylinders arranged in a straight line or plane, side by side....
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
Watt
The watt is a derived unit of power in the International System of Units , named after the Scottish engineer James Watt . The unit, defined as one joule per second, measures the rate of energy conversion.-Definition:...
(50 hp
Horsepower
Horsepower is the name of several units of measurement of power. The most common definitions equal between 735.5 and 750 watts.Horsepower was originally defined to compare the output of steam engines with the power of draft horses in continuous operation. The unit was widely adopted to measure the...
) 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 as a Coupe or Cabriolet. Originally called the "city coupe" & "city cabrio" respectively, now called the "fortwo" & "fortwo cabrio" which was 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.- Limited 1: The first limited edition of which 7500 were made. All left hand drive. Released at the time of the original launch in 1998. Black Tridion cell and White body panels. Alloy wheels, Limited 1 insignia, Blue interior with Beige Leather finishings. Supplied with certificate showing which number out of the 7500 made. A plaque with this number was mounted just below the windshield on the inside.
- Cdi: has the world's smallest production car diesel engineDiesel engineA diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber...
, which uses common-rail direct injectionCommon railCommon rail direct fuel injection is a modern variant of direct fuel injection system for petrol and diesel engines.On diesel engines, it features a high-pressure fuel rail feeding individual solenoid valves, as opposed to low-pressure fuel pump feeding unit injectors...
. With a consumption of 3.3 litres (NEDCNEDCNEDC may refer to:*National Economic Development Council, a British economic planning body*New European Driving Cycle...
) per 100 kilometres and CO2Carbon dioxideCarbon dioxide is a naturally occurring chemical compound composed of two oxygen atoms covalently bonded to a single carbon atom...
emissions of just 88 grams per kilometre, it has the lowest current production car CO2Carbon dioxideCarbon dioxide is a naturally occurring chemical compound composed of two oxygen atoms covalently bonded to a single carbon atom...
emissions worldwide, since AudiAudiAudi AG is a German automobile manufacturer, from supermini to crossover SUVs in various body styles and price ranges that are marketed under the Audi brand , positioned as the premium brand within the Volkswagen Group....
's and VolkswagenVolkswagenVolkswagen is a German automobile manufacturer and is the original and biggest-selling marque of the Volkswagen Group, which now also owns the Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, SEAT, and Škoda marques and the truck manufacturer Scania.Volkswagen means "people's car" in German, where it is...
's retired "3 litre" 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 740 kilograms (1,631.4 lb). The BrabusBRABUSBrabus, founded 1977 in Bottrop , Germany , is a high-performance aftermarket tuning company which specializes in Mercedes-Benz, Smart and Maybach vehicles....
-tuned engine developed 52 kW (71 PS) from its 599 cc engine. After Robbie WilliamsRobbie WilliamsRobert Peter "Robbie" Williams is an English singer-songwriter, vocal coach and occasional actor. He is a member of the pop group Take That. Williams rose to fame in the band's first run in the early- to mid-1990s. After many disagreements with the management and certain group members, Williams...
purchased Crossblade number 008, smart began a marketing association with the British singer, using Williams to promote the brand and the new ForFour. - CrosstownSmart CrosstownThe Smart Crosstown was a concept car by Smart shown at the Detroit Auto Show, also known as NAIAS. It was a gas/electric hybrid based on the Smart Fortwo, currently being sold. It also featured a targa top style roof....
: 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. - Michalak C7Michalak C7The Michalak C7 is a kit car based on the Smart ForTwo. The C7 uses a stainless, fiber reinforced plastic body making it slightly faster than the Smart ForTwo because it is 170 kg lighter. Once the production version was released, Michalak sold some of the prototypes....
: a sports car using mostly ForTwo parts. - 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 3G 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 UnimogUnimogUnimog is a range of multi-purpose auto four wheel drive medium trucks produced by Mercedes-Benz, a division of Daimler AG. The name Unimog is pronounced in German and is an acronym for the German "UNIversal-MOtor-Gerät", Gerät being the German word for machine or device...
. 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 2003 Smart and Brabus introduced the jointly developed Brabus version of the Smart Fortwo. Based on the 698cc engine it had 75 PS of power and 110 Nm of torque. It was available in both coupe and convertible versions. It also featured wider wheels, revised front spoiler and grill, and a revised rear exhaust.
- Smart K: The smart K was launched in October 2001, exclusively for the JapanJapanJapan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese market. It was designed exclusively to fit the JapanJapanJapan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese kei carKei carKei cars, K-cars, or , are a Japanese category of small vehicles, including passenger cars, vans, and pickup trucks. They are designed to comply with Japanese government tax and insurance regulations, and in most rural areas are exempted from the requirement to certify that adequate parking is...
regulations by adopting specially developed rear fenders and narrowing the track width and tyre dimensions. As a result, with the width reduced to 1,470 mm, the smart K complies with the JapanJapanJapan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese kei carKei carKei cars, K-cars, or , are a Japanese category of small vehicles, including passenger cars, vans, and pickup trucks. They are designed to comply with Japanese government tax and insurance regulations, and in most rural areas are exempted from the requirement to certify that adequate parking is...
regulations. Also, the engine displacement remains unchanged from 598 cc, as specified in the standard. Safety features include ESP (Electronic Stability Program) and BAS (Brake Assist System) as standard. The Smart K also facilitates the driver's starting procedure with the Hill Start AssistHill Start AssistHill Start Assist is a variant of Hill-holder used by some semi-automatic, clutchless transmissions. The system prevents the car from rolling away when trying to pull away on an up or down gradient, simulating a "handbrake hill start" manual drivers will be familiar with...
that makes a starts on inclined planeInclined planeThe inclined plane is one of the original six simple machines; as the name suggests, it is a flat surface whose endpoints are at different heights. By moving an object up an inclined plane rather than completely vertical, the amount of force required is reduced, at the expense of increasing the...
s easier. The Smart K was discontinued as of November, 2004. - Smart ForTwo Edition Limited One: Featured special edition "pyrite grey metallic" body work with contrasting silver Tridion Safety cell. It featured "Cognac Brown" Used look Nappa leather on the seats, steering wheel, and shift lever. The velour floor mats also were trimmed in the aforementioned leather. This was a new model to commemorate the launch of the model 451 Smart.
Second generation (2007-Present)
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 I3 version 3B21 (2007 onwards) is produced by Mitsubishi MotorsMitsubishi Motors
is a multinational automaker headquartered in Minato, Tokyo. In 2009 it was the fifth-largest Japan-based automaker and the 17th-largest in the world measured by production...
and it comprises normally aspirated (NA) and turbo versions. The turbo petrol version has a power of 84 PS (83 hp). The NA 999 cc engine has 11.4:1 compression ratio and premium fuel (95+ octane RON) is recommended. It is rated at 71 hp. The US NA 999 cc engine has a 10:1 compression ratio and premium fuel (91 octane AKI) is recommended and is rated at 70 hp (71 PS; 52 kW). German tuner company Brabus, in a joint venture with Smart, has developed a version with 72 kW (97 hp; 98 PS) and 140 N·m torque, originally available only in Europe, but now available elsewhere.
European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
(EU) testing rates the 999 cc Smart at 4.7 L/100 km for the gasoline model and 3.4 L/100 km for the diesel. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the vehicle at 36 miles per US gallon combined.
Concept
The Smart Fortwo's length is 8 in 10 in (2.69 m) (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 730 kg (1,609 lb), it is one of the lightest cars in the European market.
Safety
The Smart is equipped with seat-mounted combination side airbagsAirbag
An Airbag is a vehicle safety device. It is an occupant restraint consisting of a flexible envelope designed to inflate rapidly during an automobile collision, to prevent occupants from striking interior objects such as the steering wheel or a window...
as well as electronic stability control
Electronic stability control
Electronic stability control is a computerized technology that may potentially improve the safety of a vehicle's stability by detecting and minimizing skids. When ESC detects loss of steering control, it automatically applies the brakes to help "steer" the vehicle where the driver intends to go...
. To maximize the front crumple zone
Crumple zone
The crumple zone is a structural feature mainly of automobiles. Crumple zones have also been incorporated into railcars in recent years.They are designed to absorb the energy from the impact during an accident by controlled deformation. This energy is much higher than is commonly recognized...
, the smart fortwo's engine is rear-mounted.
In Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is a U.S. non-profit organization funded by auto insurers, established in 1959 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. It works to reduce the number of motor vehicle crashes, and the rate of injuries and amount of property damage in the crashes that...
(IIHS) 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. The IIHS did an offset crash test
Crash test
A crash test is a form of destructive testing usually performed in order to ensure safe design standards in crashworthiness and crash compatibility for various modes of transportation or related systems and components.- Types :...
with a Smart Fortwo and Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a compact executive car produced by the Mercedes-Benz division of Daimler AG. First introduced in 1993 as a replacement for the 190 range , the C-Class was the smallest model in the marque's lineup until the 1997 arrival of the A-Class...
, which is 40% of one car's driver's side head on with 40% of another car's driver's side, and the Smart received a "Poor" rating due to the occupants' heads slamming into the steering wheel. Also, there was too much intrusion into the footwell of the Smart Fortwo. The dummy movement was not well controlled. The Smart Fortwo spun 450 degrees in the air upon impact.
U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is an agency of the Executive Branch of the U.S. government, part of the Department of Transportation...
(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 launched the a "micro hybrid drive" version of the ForTwo. Smart claimed this provides a fuel efficiency improvement of eight percent from 50 mpgus to almost 55 mpgus , while Carbon dioxide emissions drop from 112 to 103g/km. The mhd version of the fortwo is not currently available in the USA or Canada.Smart electric drive
An all-electric version of the fortwo, the "smart fortwo electric drive", has been in development since 2006.Zytek
Zytek
Zytek Group Ltd is an automotive and motorsport company founded in 1981 and based in Fradley and Repton, United Kingdom. Zytek Group has two main division: Zytek Automotive, which is based at Fradley, Staffordshire; and Zytek Engineering, which is based at Repton, Derbyshire.-Zytek Automotive:Zytek...
developed the motor and produced the first-generation "smart EV" cars powered by sodium-nickel chloride batteries.
Market trials began during 2007
in London. Externally it appears identical to the standard 'Smart Fortwo coupé'.
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 was also presented at the 2008 Paris Car Show.
Production delivery was expected in 2010. It will feature 30 kW output, a top speed of 70 mph (112.7 km/h) and will be capable of 0-30 mph (48.3 km/h) in 6.5 seconds. The European fortwo ED can travel up to 72 miles (115.9 km) between charges. It typically takes around 8 hours for a full charge.
In 2008 Tesla Motors
Tesla Motors
Tesla Motors, Inc. is a Silicon Valley-based company that designs, manufactures and sells electric cars and electric vehicle powertrain components. It was the only automaker building and selling a zero-emission sports car, the Tesla Roadster, in serial production...
signed an agreement to supply the first 1000 battery packs for these cars.
In August 2009 Daimler announced production of second-generation vehicles using Tesla's lithium-ion battery packs would begin in late 2009 for trials in Europe and the USA, with general availability in 2012.
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 Manufacturer's Suggested retail price (MSRP) of $18,635USD for the coupe, and $21,635USD for cabriolet. The Canadian models cost $21,900 for coupe, and $24,900 for cabriolet.
Canadian 10th anniversary edition
smart Canada released ten 10th anniversary edition smart fortwo cars in February 2009. Each car started life as a Canadian BRABUS model before being converted into 10th anniversary editions by BRABUS in Germany.All of the cars are arctic grey metallic with chalet brown and alcantara leather interiors with black BRABUS Monoblock 7 wheels. Each car has a number plate on the dash to signify its production number out of ten. One was given away in the 10th anniversary contest and the remaining 9 cars were available for purchase via smart Canada's buyers draw.
smart Canada also produced 1:87 scale versions, of which 10,000 were made.
Third generation (2012–)
The third generation Fortwo is set to start production in 2012. During 2010 a joint venture was announced between Renault-Nissan & Daimler-Benz and Renault are apparently planning on a two-seater coupé which will be based on the 2012 Smart Fortwo.International markets
The smart was initially available only in left-hand-drive form, since the design of the floorpan did not allow for right-hand-drive conversions. This restricted it's availability in markets such as Australia. Smart solved the issue by designing a 'mirror image' floorpan for right-hand-drive models.Australia
The Smart fortwo is available in AustraliaAustralia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
since 2003 in only the middle 'Pulse' range, and with the petrol engine. As of April 16, 2007 the base price for the fortwo coupé is A$
Australian dollar
The Australian dollar is the currency of the Commonwealth of Australia, including Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, and Norfolk Island, as well as the independent Pacific Island states of Kiribati, Nauru and Tuvalu...
19,900, and for the fortwo cabriolet is $22,900. The Smart fortwo is sold through selected Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz is a German manufacturer of automobiles, buses, coaches, and trucks. Mercedes-Benz is a division of its parent company, Daimler AG...
dealers.
Canada
The Smart fortwo was introduced in CanadaCanada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
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 70 hp 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 70 hp gasoline powered engine. Due to the changes, the fortwo sales plummeted in Canada.
China
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
. On October 1, 2008, the Smart "vending machine
Vending machine
A vending machine is a machine which dispenses items such as snacks, beverages, alcohol, cigarettes, lottery tickets, consumer products and even gold and gems to customers automatically, after the customer inserts currency or credit into the machine....
" road show had the first stop in Shenyang
Shenyang
Shenyang , or Mukden , is the capital and largest city of Liaoning Province in Northeast China. Currently holding sub-provincial administrative status, the city was once known as Shengjing or Fengtianfu...
(at Isetan
Isetan
is a Japanese department store. Based in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Isetan has branches throughout Japan and East Asia, including Bangkok, Jinan, Kaohsiung, Kuala Lumpur, Shanghai, Singapore and Tianjin and formerly in Hong Kong, London and Vienna....
), 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 158,000 to 206,000 RMB.
Japan
There is a Japan-only variant of the first generation Smart Fortwo, called the Smart K. This is the only ever non-Japanese car to fulfill the regulations for Kei carKei car
Kei cars, K-cars, or , are a Japanese category of small vehicles, including passenger cars, vans, and pickup trucks. They are designed to comply with Japanese government tax and insurance regulations, and in most rural areas are exempted from the requirement to certify that adequate parking is...
s.
Modified imports
Made for US market
On 26 June 2002, Smart fortwo was exhibited at the new Museum of Modern ArtMuseum of Modern Art
The Museum of Modern Art is an art museum in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, on 53rd Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. It has been important in developing and collecting modernist art, and is often identified as the most influential museum of modern art in the world...
(MoMA) affiliate P.S. 1 in Queens
Queens
Queens is the easternmost of the five boroughs of New York City. The largest borough in area and the second-largest in population, it is coextensive with Queens County, an administrative division of New York state, in the United States....
, New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
for the first time.
In September 2006, Daimler AG announced that Smart USA, a division of Penske Auto Group (at the time of the announcement it was United Auto Group, later changed to PAG) 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 and the overall dimensions of the car increased.
The 2009 model year US version of the smart fortwo is available in three trims: Pure (base trim), Passion, and Passion cabriolet. Pure has an MSRP of US$
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
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 used to be 12 to 18 months for delivery; although due to the economy, many buyers couldn't purchase the vehicles when they were ready for delivery and many are available on dealer lots.
The Smart Fortwo was rated as the most fuel efficient two-seater car in the United States Environmental Protection Agency
United States Environmental Protection Agency
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is an agency of the federal government of the United States charged with protecting human health and the environment, by writing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress...
's (EPA) 2008 Fuel Economy Guide, with fuel efficiency ratings of 33 miles per US gallon city and 41 miles per US gallon highway. The 2008 Smart Fortwo coupe was given an EPA fuel efficiency rating of 36 miles per US gallon 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 U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is an agency of the Executive Branch of the U.S. government, part of the Department of Transportation...
(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."
Chinese copy controversy
In 2007, Chinese manufacturer Shijiazhuang Shuanghuan Automobile CoShijiazhuang Shuanghuan Automobile Co
Shuanghuan is a Chinese automobile manufacturer established in April 1988. In 2002 ShuangHuan has bought the state owned automobile manufacturer Red Star.-Models:...
released the Shuanghuan Noble
Shuanghuan Noble
The Shuanghuan Noble is a 4-seater Chinese hatchback made by Shuanghuan...
(also known as the Martin Motors Bubble), designed similarly to the Fortwo and prompting Daimler AG to sue Shuanghuan for copyright infringement. The German manufacturer persuaded the Italian court to prohibit the Noble from being exhibited at the Bologna Motor Show
Bologna Motor Show
The Bologna Motor Show is an auto show held in Bologna, Italy, in December. It is recognized as an international show by the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles.- 2011 :...
, but importer Martin Motors violated that injunction and put the car on display.
In May 2009, a Greek judge ruled against Daimler, allowing the Noble to be sold in Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
. The judge cited that "if a vehicle varies in its technical specification, then any external similarities are irrelevant." This was in reference to the Noble being a front-engine, front-wheel-drive car while the ForTwo is rear-engined and rear-wheel-drive.
External links
- smart (official UK community site)
- Smart (official site)
- Smart USA (official USA site)
- Smart exhibition at the MoMA
- 2008 smart car 2nd Generation (451) crash tested by IIHS - video
- Mercedes S-Class vs. 1st Generation (450) smart car offset-crash Video
- SMART fortwo 1.0 mhd (71 hp) - 2009 test drive and review - by Autoevolution.com