Next Gen Smart ForTwo Pics

[Canadian Turbo]

Some pics of the upcoming new version of the Smart ForTwo which should be sold in the US!

[Mr. Burns]

Re: Next Gen Smart ForTwo Pics

I prefer the 1st gen

[Canadian Turbo]

Re: Next Gen Smart ForTwo Pics

Some pics and info from the official unveiling.....

Well, we finally bathed in the glow of the little new car from DaimlerChrysler that’s determined to save the western hemisphere. Roger Penske and his mega-powerful UAG (United Auto Group) are banking on it. Actually, it’s more like Smart is banking on it if you think about it. UAG is a bank unto itself doing the likes of Smart a big favor.

The second-generation Smart fortwo was revealed on the roof floor of a downtown Stuttgart parking structure with much fanfare. Spunky Stuttgartian children were having an all-night pillow fight on the third deck, a 1980s VW was laid on top of a late ‘80s Opel Rekord on Deck 5 to illustrate a point about parking. Several more local younguns were hired for the evening to stage a mock protest at the street-level entrance to the structure. On the top deck, we were entertained by DaimlerChrysler chairman Dieter Zietsche, lord of Lauda Inc and former F1 champ Niki Lauda, Smart boss Ulrich Walker, and a very understated Roger Penske. And then at 8.45pm out rolled the amazing and wondrous generation-two Smart fortwo coupe and cabriolet. Which, though said to be ninety percent new, look a whole lot like the first generation cars no matter from which angle or distance they are viewed. Well, okay, the interior is less goofy than the first generation car, the wheelbase is over two inches longer, both tracks are wider, and there are touches to the exterior. The thing is cute as boots.

After much use of fireworks and the bringing up of lights, the press corps full-press stormed the stage and fought for camera space with Dieter and Roger especially.

Penske started out by explaining to us the general lay of the land for this deal. Whereas the rest of Smart’s established non-North American markets get the full new fortwo coupe lineup in April 2007, followed by the cabriolet versions six months later, North America gets three versions starting in the first quarter of 2008. These are: the basic fortwo coupe “pure” edition with steel wheels starting at around $11,000; the top-of-the-line fortwo coupe “passion” edition starting at around $13,000; and the fortwo cabriolet passion edition starting at around $15,000. You should’ve seen the slack jaws on European faces when Penske told us those prices, because Europeans pay for cars through the nose no matter the segment of the market. Just switch those weak-dollar signs to strong-Euro signs and that’s what our friends across the water will be paying.

All of the three models will be powered by the new three-cylinder 1.0-liter gas engine supplied by Mitsubishi. Whereas the rest of the world gets three different power ratings and a basic five-speed manual if they choose, Penske only wants the strongest 83-horsepower version. All cars come with the latest and much simpler take on Smart’s “softouch” automated manual five-speed transmission. Penske has tested all three models in the Arizona sun and he says the torque for the cars coming to the US will be higher than the 89 pound-feet in other markets. Air conditioning and power windows will be options just as they are in Smart’s existing markets. Standard wheels are fifteen-inch, but you’ll be able to ask for optional sixteen- and seventeen-inch sets. The cabriolet cloth roof is an all-new unit and it is now automated and can open or close even while you’re driving at full speed. An upgrade to satellite radio will be available and on passion editions it will be possible to mount paddle shifters on the steering wheel.

The North American Smart fortwos may be delivering only in March or April of 2008, but Penske and DaimlerChrysler are organizing an advance 21-week road show to bring the fortwos into the hottest-prospect markets in the US starting as soon as February 2007. Four squads with a tractor trailer each will scour the right markets in the US during 21 weeks with three test cars in tow, as well as a display of the fortwo’s sturdy Tridion body structure. The aim is to get 66,000 prospects on advance Smart test drives. Citing Canada’s 2005 sales volume of current Smart fortwos of 4,000 units, Penske told us, “If you take that number, the US is ten times that by proportion. We’re not planning on 40,000 cars sold each year, but we’re figuring between 15,000 to 20,000 annual sales.”

Penske adds that the 66,000 prospects can be determined via participation on the website www.smartusa.com, contacts through chatrooms, and via Mercedes-Benz and a few Chrysler Group dealers. Over 1300 dealers have submitted applications for Smart franchises in the US already and UAG will whittle that down to about 250 candidates. After some contacts with these, then the initial fifty to sixty storefronts will be selected. These chosen dealers are expected to take an active part in the 21-weeks of road show, too.

While the Mitsubishi 1.0-liter motor can regularly return 40 miles per US gallon and cruise comfortably at up to 95 mph on the highway, the States may also get a future 1.0-liter Blutec version of a three-cylinder Mercedes-Benz turbo diesel that returns up to 69 mpg on the highway. Penske spoke very favorably of this possibly happening by 2010 or so. On another sportier note, Brabus bosses and Penske have also been in touch and there is talk of a 110-hp version of both the coupe and cabriolet.

[forkdork]

Re: Next Gen Smart ForTwo Pics

No more diesel for Canada? The gas model gets worse economy than a tdi.

The interior looks way better than the old car. I think it will do better now that it doesnt look like such a "cute" car.

[Coker Rat]

Re: Next Gen Smart ForTwo Pics

4th picture from the bottom with th guys poking out the top of the car, that one guy is that stupid ceo of chrysler or w/e, the one on the comercials, what a fag