Year of Smart Fortwo

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.

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.

The smart car allows back-in parking in otherwise parallel parking zones; its length of 250cm (98.4in) 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.[citation needed] Current model is 269 cm (106.1 Inches).

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.

Engine and fuel economy

The engine range featured turbocharged three cylinder motors. Originally, the base petrol engine had 599cc, but displacement increased to 698cc with an early restyling. It was available in 37kW (50hp) or 45kW (61hp) variants. The turbodiesel engine has 799cc displacement with 30kW (40hp). 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 740kilograms (1,600lb). The Brabus-tuned engine developed 52kW (71PS) from its 599cc 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.