Smart ForTwo Edition Red marks end to current model

[GT Pro]

Curtain call: Smart ForTwo Edition Red marks end to current model

DaimlerChrysler has announced a new special edition Smart ForTwo known as 'Edition Red' to mark the phase-out of the current model, making way for the successor to arrive in spring 2007 (and in 2008 for the United States). The car will be exhibited at the Paris Motor Show in late September. The current model is virtually sold out as production winds down, DaimlerChrysler said. The Edition Red has a Brabus engine with 75 horsepower. It also has 16" alloy wheels, a front spoiler, and rear sports muffler. As the name suggests, the body is pained in an "intensive red." The interior is enhanced with "elaborately stitched" leather and alcantara. An MP3 interface, premium audio, and air conditioning are also part of the package. Gallery after the jump…

The final run of the ForTwo is bound to be a car for the ladies. Even I must admit it's kinda sexy.

 

[MagpieRacer]

I kinda like it...i would buy one if i had the money..

 

[GT Pro]

A reply in two minutes? It must be sexy then. But damn, it does look good in the 'intensive red' and the leather & alcantara trim.

 

[Danny]

Best city car ever?

I think so.

 

[vladimir]

i've been surprised of how much of those drive around here lately. it looks like hardly any other car is more numerous in the city. on the autobahn however, its an entirely different story.

 

[Law93]

Best city car ever?

I think so.

Yup. This car is really friendly and doesn't really look bad

 

[ND4SPD]

Hmm, I always thought that the Smart car would look so much better in one sold colour.

 

[Danny]

Yup. This car is really friendly and doesn't really look bad

And you can park it nose-on to the kerb...

 

[High-Test]

yet, the Smart brand has yet to turn a profit...

 

[JCE]

Too bad Merc hasn't made really any money on Smart. I rather like them. I would own one as long as the safety is good enough to survive being hit by a H2 or Tahoe.

 

[ND4SPD]

Too bad Merc hasn't made really any money on Smart. I rather like them. I would own one as long as the safety is good enough to survive being hit by a H2 or Tahoe.

I'm pretty sure I've seen a crash test between a Smart car and a Mercedes G class, and the smart gets away with a good rating. I'm pretty sure they're a lot safer than most people think.

 

[JCE]

I'm pretty sure I've seen a crash test between a Smart car and a Mercedes G class, and the smart gets away with a good rating. I'm pretty sure they're a lot safer than most people think.

That's good to hear. As long as it gets at least a 4 star crash test rating in every catagory me thinks it would sell VERY well in the US. I mean, idiots are buying the rediculously hypocritical Prius aren't they? The Smart actually HAS great gas mileage...and that should open some eyes. The only downside is the fact that the insurance might be a bit high due to the fact that deep down it's a Merc...with Merc expensive parts.

 

[Danny]

Thank the Tridon Safety Cell on all Smart vehicles.

The only downside is the fact that the insurance might be a bit high due to the fact that deep down it's a Merc...with Merc expensive parts.

The Fortwo is in insurance group 2 over here, that's the same as Ford Fiesta, VW Polo, Suzuki Wagon R and Skoda Fabia.

 

[GT Pro]

I still can't get over how damn 'sexy' the interior is.

 

[YSSMAN]

"...Shes dead, Jim..."

While I am excited about the possibilities of a smart car in the US, I don't know how quickly people will jump at the car. Of course, it is all greatly dependant on what gas prices look like overall, and with some (aka a couple) of analists predicting $2/gallon gasoline by November, the "need" for the smart ForTwo may subside.

But if I was to venture a guess, the car will be very popular with young first-time-drivers. The safety is pretty good, the cars aren't fast enough to go racing, and the levels of customization (extremely popular here in the US) is going to be a model-seller. Will it be "huge" hit? I doubt it... But big enough nontheless...

 

[Danny]

I can't stress this enough. Here, as brilliant a city car as it is (let's not discuss the motorway/highway), people don't buy them.

It's mostly because of image. Unless the US has less of a problem with men not wanting to be seen in feminine cars, then I can't help but wonder if the Smart franchise will remain an "also ran" over there.

It's a shame, because I've liked each and every car Smart have made, with my interest peaking at the Brabus ForFour.

 

[Sniffs]

now, wait a minnit, I was under the impression that the Smart brand was a round town put put that didn't get over about 20 miles an hour, and was the equivelant of a bare bones exonobox with a funky look that normally goes with Japanese Kei cars. and this has LEATHER? huh? i thought this thing was the equivelant of an old Hyundai Scoupe.

and since when does a red paint job become associated with a CHICK car? i've always thought of that as pastels, like pink, peach, etc...like the stupid arse idea Chrysler had in the fifties called Dodge LaFemme (and parodied in the Simpsons)

red paint in the US is associated with overpowered, undersafetyed, fortune to insure sport coupes (cause, apparently, red causes aggression)

 

[YSSMAN]

I can't stress this enough. Here, as brilliant a city car as it is (let's not discuss the motorway/highway), people don't buy them.

It's mostly because of image. Unless the US has less of a problem with men not wanting to be seen in feminine cars, then I can't help but wonder if the Smart franchise will remain an "also ran" over there.

It's a shame, because I've liked each and every car Smart have made, with my interest peaking at the Brabus ForFour.

...Thats the thing, can they succeed despite the less-than-stellar performance of the car in Europe? Granted it is "popular" but it isn't as common as say a Civic or Corolla.

I think the car's biggest problem will be that it isn't the ForFour, as four door models sell much better in the US in most situations. Added to that, the lack of the roadster is another nail in the coffin as well.

"Chick" cars often get that label, but they still sell well. I can see the car being very popular with younger drivers, particularly females younger than 30, but I'm sure there will be guys who buy them too... Just not as many...

 

[Wolfe]

I've found that, at least in my area, the term "chick car" and the cars that young affluent women are driving are usually quite different.

Around here, small "chick cars" like the Miata, VW Cabrio, etc. tend to be driven by just about anybody, while women are more likely to be found in larger coupes -- like the 3rd gen Eclipse Spyder (a "chick car" in my eyes from the very first time I saw it) or Chrysler Sebring convertible -- or SUVs.

Anyway, even though it doesn't have any retro appeal to its name, the success of the Mini says to me that a quirky little German-built car like the Smart has a chance here. And the Mini is enjoyed by many members of both sexes.

 

[JohnBM01]

Aww... so cute! Can we take it home, mommy (yeah. Try saying that to the Dodge Caliber)? There are two things I'm not concerned about with this car- character and image. I'm not about either as I couldn't care less with this car. If I wanted those two elements, I'd get a sports car. RWD lovers will enjoy this tiny terror. I'm used to the two-tone metal + plastic deal like with the Honda Element.

Until I read some posts, this ForTwo DOES look a lot like the Mercedes-Benz A110. It should be a fun little (no pun intended) machine. The general theory that I prescribe to is that fans of the Mini Cooper may love this machine if you are a fan of Kei cars. We're more used to much larger cars. Even our compacts can be big here in the States. I made a thread long ago called "'Feminine' Cars" in the Cars in General forums. We've discussed machines ranging from the Miata to the Peugeot 206. Now if you're so concerned about image and if people around you will try to beat you up or ask if you wear panties and listen to Michael Bolton, then stay away from this car by all means (and move to a nicer neighborhood). My primary storyline for this car is if it can hang with cars like the Honda Fit and the Mini Cooper. Or let's say the Mitsubishi "i" comes to America. How would it fare against some of the other small car competition in the States? That will be my storyline for this car. Obviously the streets of Detroit aren't the streets of Birmingham, England. Riding around San Francisco isn't going to be like a stroll around Geneva, Switzerland. Plus the people are much different. Will it still be a good seller regardless of this Euro mini to American streets transition? I'm giving it a chance since I'm not prejudiced about certain kinds of cars or certain non-American car makers in general.

A video game sampling of what Smarts can provide can be found with Enthusia. The one thing I didn't know about the Smart in that game is that it is rear/RWD. Yes, I was under the impression that it was front/FWD, which is the hated config of about 60-70 percent of the general performance driving fan-at-large. Smart may find plenty of fans if the Smart people can market this car much like how the marketing was done to make the Mini Cooper a hit in America.

 

[Danny]

and since when does a red paint job become associated with a CHICK car? i've always thought of that as pastels, like pink, peach, etc...like the stupid arse idea Chrysler had in the fifties called Dodge LaFemme (and parodied in the Simpsons)

Even having picked the least femenine colour google images would provide, could you drive this and look like a real man?

Even the driver in the picture looks to be daydreaming of having "the op".

 

[Scaff]

now, wait a minnit, I was under the impression that the Smart brand was a round town put put that didn't get over about 20 miles an hour, and was the equivelant of a bare bones exonobox with a funky look that normally goes with Japanese Kei cars. and this has LEATHER? huh? i thought this thing was the equivelant of an old Hyundai Scoupe.

The fit and finish on every Smart car is very, very good and I can quite assure you they are morethan capable of speeds in excess of 20mph. Try 84mph for most models (and thats electronicaly limited) or 94mph for the Brabus model.

The following may be interest for exact dimensions of the fourtwo.

Regards

Scaff

 

[Sniffs]

Scaff: yes, but is that uphill? what's the CC on the engine, too...and the power/torque ratings, please (amreican cars have more emphasis on the amount of torque). oh, and the tank size, too. if it's got a scrooge-a-holic engine, it won't do any good if it's only got the same range as a V10 land yaght super duty, or an american deisel.

shorter length than I thought, but definetly tall enough. if that thing doesn't have adjustable seats, though, I'd be in trouble, cause I gotta scoot the seat all the way up to reach the controlls. *sigh* i hate having mile long legs, but short arse arms.

the smallest thing I've ever driven was probably my Plymouth Acclaim (i believe europe got that as Chrysler Saratoga?)

thing is, I wouldn't want to have to take THAT thing on the Interstate. how do they do on motorways? truckers (lorry drivers) wouldn't be able to see you, and I bet you anything the IIHS and Consumer Reports would promptly flunk the thing in america's crash tests and tip up, respectfully

Ultrabeat: in the states, you have to pick the most un cop attracting and un insurance rate upping colour you could get. why do you think american cars come/came in all those sombre colours for years?

oh, keep in mind that us yanks don't baby everyday cars, either. we use ours hard, and don't have to go for the kind of thorough inspecion involved in an MOT (hat my british freinds tell me, anyways)

 

[Scaff]

Smart Tech Spec - 61bhp Model

Engine type - 3-cylinder in-line engine at rear with turbo charger, charge cooler

Engine capacity in cc - 698

Max. power in bhp (kW) at rpm [1] - 61 (45)/5,250

Max. torque in Nm at rpm - 95/2,000-4,000

Bore x stroke in mm - 66.5 x 67.0

Boost pressure control - Electronic

Max. boost pressure in bar - 0.8

Compression ratio - 9.0: 1

Fuel delivery - Multipoint fuel injection with electronic accelerator

Exhaust gas purification/exhaust gas standard - 3-way catalytic converter/EU 4

CO2 emissions in g/km [3, 8] - 113 - 116

Maximum speed in mph (km/h) - 84 (135) [2]

Acceleration in 0-62.5mph (0-100 km/h) in s - 15.5

Fuel type - Premium unleaded

Fuel consumption in mpg (l/100km) [3, 7]
Urban cycle - 46.3 (6.1) - 47.1 (6.0)

Extra-urban cycle - 68.9 (4.1) - 70.6 (4.0)

Combined cycle - 58.8 (4.8) - 60.1 (4.7)

Engine position - Rear

Transmission type - Automated, sequential 6-speed transmission (softip)
Automatic gear programme with kickdown function (softouch) [4]

Brakes/dynamic handling control system - esp® (Electronic Stability Programme) with Hill Start Assist
Anti-lock Braking System (abs) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)
Acceleration Skid Control (ASC)
Electronic Brake Assist
Dual-circuit brake system with servo assistance
Disk brakes at front, drum brakes at rear

Wheels//tyres front [8] - 4 J x 15//145/65 R 15

Wheels//tyres rear [8] - 5.5 J x 15//175/55 R 15



Smart Tech Spec - Brabus Model

Engine type - 3-cylinder in-line engine at rear with turbo charger, charge cooler

Engine capacity in cc - 698

Max. power in bhp (kW) at rpm [1] - 74 (55)/5,250

Max. torque in Nm at rpm - 110/2,200-3,500

Bore x stroke in mm - 66.5 x 67.0

Boost pressure control - Electronic

Max. boost pressure in bar - 1.0 (1.5 overboost)

Compression ratio - 9.0: 1

Fuel delivery - Multipoint fuel injection with electronic accelerator

Exhaust gas purification/exhaust gas standard - 3-way catalytic converter/EU 4

CO2 emissions in g/km [3] - 127 softouch

Maximum speed in mph (km/h) - 94 (150) [2]

Acceleration 0-62.5mph (0-100 km/h) in s - 12.3

Fuel type - Super plus unleaded ( at least 98 RON)

Fuel consumption in mpg (l/100km) [3, 6]
Urban cycle - 43.5 (6.5) softouch

Extra-urban cycle - 61.4 (4.6) softouch

Combined cycle - 53.3 (5.3) softouch

Engine position - Rear

Transmission type - Automated, sequential 6-speed transmission (softip)
Automatic gear programme with kickdown function (softouch)

Brakes/dynamic handling control system - esp® (Electronic Stability Programme) with Hill Start Assist
Anti-lock Braking System (abs) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)
Acceleration Skid Control (ASC)
Electronic Brake Assist
Dual-circuit brake system with servo assistance
Disk brakes at front, drum brakes at rear

Wheels//tyres front - 5.5 J x 16//175/50 R 16

Wheels//tyres rear - 6.5 J x 16//205/45 R 16



As far as hills go, well that depends on the hill itself, but I've never seen one in the UK struggle that much and the fuel range on them is not too bad at all. However being mainly a city car its of lower importance to most owners.

I've seen a few on motorways in the UK and quite a number on German Autobahns and they are not too bad (remember on the Autobahn they are running with cars at v-max in certain places), but as far as I'm concerned highway driving safety has much more to do with overall driving standards of all road users that the car itself.

Build quality wise they are remarkably well put together and as long as the servicing is maintained have suffered little in the way of reliability since the UK launch.

I've never had a problem getting comfortable in one (I'm 6 foot) and my biggest complaint about them has always been the length of time the gears take to change, the 'box is very slow.

Regards

Scaff

 

[Danny]

Ultrabeat: in the states, you have to pick the most un cop attracting and un insurance rate upping colour you could get. why do you think american cars come/came in all those sombre colours for years?

oh, keep in mind that us yanks don't baby everyday cars, either. we use ours hard, and don't have to go for the kind of thorough inspecion involved in an MOT (hat my british freinds tell me, anyways)

1) Color choice affects insurance rating?
I didn't know that, that's crazy!

2) I know it's been said before, but it's Mercedes parentage and the might of Daimler-Chrysler ensure that nothing less than an atomic bomb would stop it running. Reliability reports are good. Here's something to back that up. It really isn't as bad as that report says though.

 

[vladimir]

Even having picked the least femenine colour google images would provide, could you drive this and look like a real man?

Even the driver in the picture looks to be daydreaming of having "the op".

what the hell is a real man?! is that the type who only showers once a week, sits in front of the TV all evening with a can of beer and needs do drive a truck to make up for his tiny penis?

if thats the case i rather prefer the image that comes with a smart.

oh, and if you get this thing in black and put some nice rims on, its looks quite good.

 

[Scaff]

oh, and if you get this thing in black and put some nice rims on, its looks quite good.

Just like the Brabus

Scaff

 

[Sniffs]

fifteens? well, no wonder it fills the wheelwells. i was expecting skinny little 185 13's or something.

Ultra: yep...part of the american paranoia concerning safety, started by the poor rear engined Corvair, exacerbated by the ford Pinto (look THAT lemon up on wikipedia), and the poor Yugo (fiat 128 built by communists?)

last I heard, there was a report stating that a consumers color choice affected their driving style, and it automatically get tallied into american insurance rates.


for example
when I started driving, i was charged 2000 bucks a year of the absolute minimum coverage...insurance only on the other guy

 

[Danny]

Ultra: yep...part of the american paranoia concerning safety, started by the poor rear engined Corvair, exacerbated by the ford Pinto (look THAT lemon up on wikipedia), and the poor Yugo (fiat 128 built by communists?)

You mean that unsafe at any speed car, with a tendency to spin for no apparent reason, often resulting in the drivers death?

I'm surprised that passed the preliminary testing (assuming it went through testing at all)
But the Smart should pass all the tests your motoring authorities should wish to throw at it.

 

[Scaff]

fifteens? well, no wonder it fills the wheelwells. i was expecting skinny little 185 13's or something.

Ultra: yep...part of the american paranoia concerning safety, started by the poor rear engined Corvair, exacerbated by the ford Pinto (look THAT lemon up on wikipedia), and the poor Yugo (fiat 128 built by communists?)

last I heard, there was a report stating that a consumers color choice affected their driving style, and it automatically get tallied into american insurance rates.


for example
when I started driving, i was charged 2000 bucks a year of the absolute minimum coverage...insurance only on the other guy

I've heard the stories about the Corvair and the Pinto many times before (and to be honest the Corvair while far from the finest handling car in the world was not the stuff of nightmares it was made out to be. It was however very sensitive to tyre pressures, changing them from the factory settings did little to help.

I would however have to acknowledge that both the Pinto and Corvair issues did force massive safety changes on the industry and it would be foolish to argue that the change in attitudes towards both passive and active safety systems have not been a benefit to all motorists.

The Smart has the advantage of MB learning from the problems encountered with the A-class's handling issues and the poor press it recieved, a mistake they certainly did not want to repeat with the Smart cars.

A quick look at the range of both passive and active safety system fitted to the car clearly show that.

Its a car that I think will go down well in certain parts of the US, particularly if it gets the 'Hollywood' seal of approval, quite simply all it needs is for one or two stars to attend a movie premier in one and that will set the ball rolling.

As in all its markets the car has a very definate niche and in that environment its a great car, but out of it the car struggles. The fourTwo certainly is not a drivers car (even in Brabus spec), and while its a shame that the Roadster and Coupe have gone (but a UK company is looking to put them back into production) the FourFour was little more than a very overpriced Colt.

For an idea of the level of customisation some people will go to have a look at a few of these.

http://www.thesmartclub.com/board/showthread.php?t=8314&page=1&pp=10

Regards

Scaff