2014 Smart ForTwo & ForFour
05-30-14, 08:40 AM
#16
2015 Smart ForTwo spied parked in Dubai
Arriving in the following months
A prototype of the 2015 Smart ForTwo was caught on camera while parked on a street in Dubai.
The vehicle was spotted alongside the already revealed C-Class Estate and the upcoming CLA Shooting Brake and should be introduced in the following months since Smart has been playing the teasing game for quite some time.
The next-gen ForTwo will retain the RWD layout and will borrow 70 percent of its components from the all-new Renault Twingo.
Expect the overall length to remain unchanged at 2629mm while power will be provided by a naturally-aspirated 3-cylinder 1.0-liter SCe engine delivering 70 PS (51 kW) and 91 Nm (67 lb-ft) along with a 3-cylinder 0.9-liter TCe turbocharged unit with 90 PS (66 kW) and 135 Nm (100 lb-ft) of torque. Both engines are sourced from the 2014 Twingo and most likely so will be the five-speed manual transmission.
The new Smart ForTwo is scheduled to go on sale towards the end of the year in Europe, followed by United States in 2015. Look out for a public unveiling in October at the Paris Motor Show.
A prototype of the 2015 Smart ForTwo was caught on camera while parked on a street in Dubai.
The vehicle was spotted alongside the already revealed C-Class Estate and the upcoming CLA Shooting Brake and should be introduced in the following months since Smart has been playing the teasing game for quite some time.
The next-gen ForTwo will retain the RWD layout and will borrow 70 percent of its components from the all-new Renault Twingo.
Expect the overall length to remain unchanged at 2629mm while power will be provided by a naturally-aspirated 3-cylinder 1.0-liter SCe engine delivering 70 PS (51 kW) and 91 Nm (67 lb-ft) along with a 3-cylinder 0.9-liter TCe turbocharged unit with 90 PS (66 kW) and 135 Nm (100 lb-ft) of torque. Both engines are sourced from the 2014 Twingo and most likely so will be the five-speed manual transmission.
The new Smart ForTwo is scheduled to go on sale towards the end of the year in Europe, followed by United States in 2015. Look out for a public unveiling in October at the Paris Motor Show.
05-30-14, 08:41 AM
#17
2015 Smart ForTwo spied [video]
On sale in Europe before the end of the year
The all-new Smart ForTwo has returned in a fresh spy video before its official reveal scheduled for the second half of the year.
Sharing 70 percent of its components with the third-gen Renault Twingo, the new Smart ForTwo will keep the 2629mm length and RWD rear-engined configuration of the outgoing model and will be joined by a 3505mm-long ForFour reboot. The duo will borrow the same 90 HP 0.9-liter turbocharged and 70 HP 1.0-liter naturally-aspirated engines from their French cousin.
In terms of design, the petite city car will look different than the Twingo and should have a larger front grille together with LED-infused headlights. At the back there will be circular taillights and a tailgate-mounted spoiler. The overall design is expected to mimic the ForVision concept exhibited at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.
Both the ForTwo and ForFour will be revealed online in the next few months, ahead of their likely public debut in October at the Paris Motor Show. The duo is programmed to go on sale before the end of the year in Europe while U.S. will only get the ForTwo starting August 2015. An electric version is also in the works and will probably come out in 2015 or 2016.
The all-new Smart ForTwo has returned in a fresh spy video before its official reveal scheduled for the second half of the year.
Sharing 70 percent of its components with the third-gen Renault Twingo, the new Smart ForTwo will keep the 2629mm length and RWD rear-engined configuration of the outgoing model and will be joined by a 3505mm-long ForFour reboot. The duo will borrow the same 90 HP 0.9-liter turbocharged and 70 HP 1.0-liter naturally-aspirated engines from their French cousin.
In terms of design, the petite city car will look different than the Twingo and should have a larger front grille together with LED-infused headlights. At the back there will be circular taillights and a tailgate-mounted spoiler. The overall design is expected to mimic the ForVision concept exhibited at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.
Both the ForTwo and ForFour will be revealed online in the next few months, ahead of their likely public debut in October at the Paris Motor Show. The duo is programmed to go on sale before the end of the year in Europe while U.S. will only get the ForTwo starting August 2015. An electric version is also in the works and will probably come out in 2015 or 2016.
05-30-14, 08:43 AM
#18
Before everyone jumps on my back about bumping an old thread. I was told by Dave if the topic was already being discussed to post it in the current thread. Since these are just spy photos its really the same topic.
Like we haven't seen official unveiling photos, press release photos/videos, pricing, specs. So why have two spy shoot threads?
Like we haven't seen official unveiling photos, press release photos/videos, pricing, specs. So why have two spy shoot threads?
I'm a big fan of having a spy shot thread and then an official thread personally.
05-30-14, 10:29 AM
#21
Lexus Fanatic
I honestly don't know why this vehicle has not been pulled from the American market. Not only is it totally unsuited for typical American driving conditions, but when Penske imported it instead of M-B (it is actually a M-B design), his firm only offered a bumper-to-bumper 2/24 warranty including the drivetrain...an insult in this age of 3-year minimum warranties. In addition, the car is unstable, has tipsy handling, a very high center of gravity, burns premium gas instead of regular, and, for several years, had an computer-operated automanual transmission that rocked the car back and forth like a rocking-horse when it shifted in the lower gears. (I have not sampled the latest version, so I don't know if it still shifts that way). And, even with a safety-oriented Mercedes roll-safety-cage, I wouldn't want to have any kind of significant accident in it. The only thing, IMO, that the Smart-for-Two is useful for is to be able to park it literally almost anywhere...it's almost like riding a bike. I'm not a terribly big fan of the Scion iQ, either, but, in all fairness, overall, it is a far better car than the Smart, while still maintaining that Park-Almost-Anywhere feature.
06-15-14, 08:57 AM
#22
Next-gen Smart ForTwo and ForFour to be unveiled on July 16 - report
On sale in September
German media is indicating the next generation Smart ForTwo and ForFour will be introduced in Berlin on July 16, before going on sale this September.
Sharing 70 percent of their components with the 2014 Renault Twingo, the cars will be offered with a naturally-aspirated 1.0-liter 3-cylinder engine with 70 PS (51 kW) and 91 Nm (67 lb-ft) along with a turbocharged 0.9-liter 3-cylinder motor rated at 90 PS (66 kW) and 135 Nm (100 lb-ft). A Brabus version is also in the works and will allegedly deliver 100 PS (74 kW).
The ForTwo will retain the 2629mm overall length of the outgoing model but its width is expected to grow by 100mm (at 1659mm). As for the ForFour, the model will be 3500mm long which would make it considerably shorter than the previous model that had an overall length of 3752mm. Both models will retain the rear-wheel drive layout and will be offered with a standard five-speed manual gearbox as well as an optional six-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Other known facts refer to the availability of rear parking sensors, a rear-view camera system and daytime running lights integrated in the headlights while the turn signals will be installed in the front bumper. Both of them will likely take visual cues from the 2011 ForVision concept and on the inside will come with a three-spoke steering wheel featuring built-in controls for telephony and audio while the tachometer will be positioned near the A-pillar.
Customers will be able to order the new Smart ForTwo and ForFour starting July 31, with deliveries set to kick off sometime in September.
German media is indicating the next generation Smart ForTwo and ForFour will be introduced in Berlin on July 16, before going on sale this September.
Sharing 70 percent of their components with the 2014 Renault Twingo, the cars will be offered with a naturally-aspirated 1.0-liter 3-cylinder engine with 70 PS (51 kW) and 91 Nm (67 lb-ft) along with a turbocharged 0.9-liter 3-cylinder motor rated at 90 PS (66 kW) and 135 Nm (100 lb-ft). A Brabus version is also in the works and will allegedly deliver 100 PS (74 kW).
The ForTwo will retain the 2629mm overall length of the outgoing model but its width is expected to grow by 100mm (at 1659mm). As for the ForFour, the model will be 3500mm long which would make it considerably shorter than the previous model that had an overall length of 3752mm. Both models will retain the rear-wheel drive layout and will be offered with a standard five-speed manual gearbox as well as an optional six-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Other known facts refer to the availability of rear parking sensors, a rear-view camera system and daytime running lights integrated in the headlights while the turn signals will be installed in the front bumper. Both of them will likely take visual cues from the 2011 ForVision concept and on the inside will come with a three-spoke steering wheel featuring built-in controls for telephony and audio while the tachometer will be positioned near the A-pillar.
Customers will be able to order the new Smart ForTwo and ForFour starting July 31, with deliveries set to kick off sometime in September.
07-17-14, 08:57 AM
#23
Lexus Champion
http://www.autoblog.com/2014/07/16/s...four-official/
Meet the 2016 Smart Fortwo and Forfour, a new pair of hatchbacks that Daimler hopes will revive the struggling Smart brand. We aren't expecting to see the Forfour here in the US market, although the smaller Fortwo should eventually hit our shores in the future.
Following yesterday's teaser sketches, it's plain to see that those drawings were fairly close to what we're seeing here. The new Smarts boast styling inspired heavily by the brand's concepts, with a bolder, sportier aesthetic.
The new cars, a two-door and a four-door, boast rear-engine layouts, with power coming from a trio of three-cylinder, gas-powered engines in 60-, 71- and 90-horsepower varieties. A five-speed manual will be available while a "twinamic" dual-clutch transmission will also be offered. Let's home that dual-clutch unit is an improvement over the current automated manual we've been saddled with since the car's launch several years ago.
A MacPherson strut front suspension is teamed with a De Dion rear suspension, complete with twin-tube shocks, and should imbue both Smart models with typical small-car agility. For those seeking an even sharper Smart, an optional sport suspension will be available, which lowers the ride height ten millimeters (0.4 inches) and swaps out the standard springs for something stiffer.
Underpinning the new Fortwo and Forfour is the same rear-engine platform found underneath the Renault Twingo. Jointly developed between the French manufacturer and Daimler, the Fortwo rides on a 73.7-inch wheelbase, while the Forfour sits on a 98.1-inch wheelbase. For reference, the larger of the two Smarts is essentially equal with the Mini Hardtop, which sits on a 98.2-inch wheelbase. Despite the similarity to the Cooper, though, the Forfour is significantly shorter, at 137.4 inches (compared to 151.1). The tiny Fortwo, meanwhile, is just 105.5 inches long.
In an effort to stave off any potential safety worries, the new model was tested in frontal collisions against both the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and S-Class, while it's safety systems were developed in the same manner as those of the C-Class. Ultra-high strength, hot-formed steel and maximum-strength, multiphase steel is used for both the sidewall and substructure, while the crumple zones are larger. As for active safety systems, Smart is the first city car manufacturer to offer up a crosswind assist system as standard, while forward collision warning and lane keeping assist are both optional extras.
Customizability will play a significant role in both models, with Smart offering up 40 different exterior color schemes, with customers able to mix and match the color of the Tridion Safety Cell and the body color. It's a similar story inside, where the car's varied textures and shapes can be had in different combinations. In general, the latest Smarts look to be more style-conscious than in the past.
Last edited by bagwell; 07-17-14 at 09:00 AM.
07-17-14, 09:38 AM
#25
Lead Lap
The current transmission isn't carrying over anyways- the auto models with have a dual clutch transmission. That's the version we'll probably get over in the US. Also bummer the ForFour isn't making the trip to the American market.
07-18-14, 04:44 AM
#27
Lead Lap
Most of the eco dual clutch transmissions haven't been vaunted as being fun to drive (Focus, Dart, etc.) but it won't be as bad as the previous automated manual transmission. The one in the CLA is fine. Think about what this car is used for and it makes more sense. For driving around in cramped city streets that transmission will do just fine.
07-22-14, 08:29 AM
#28
Yahoo Auto Review
At 5,088 pounds, the S-Class has 2.1 times the mass of the 2,478 lb Smart. For the record, the new Smart is a good 400-500 lbs heavier than its predecessor. That should make it less of a 'pinball' in an accident, but does mean the small frame has greater energy to dissipate in an accident. In this case, that's 108 kilojules in the 28 mph test. The Mercedes has over 222 kJ of kinetic energy at the same speed.
It's clear to see the effect this energy has in the super slow-motion footage. As the two cars collide, the Smart is stopped instantly and on its short wheelbase, lifts its rear tires off the ground. The Mercedes, by comparison, continues on for much longer. Each car though also shows the benefits of its design. The S-Class absorbs damage dealt by the Smart in the length of its hood. The Smart, with less length to absorb such impacts, fares visually worse--though it's clear in the footage that Smart's 'Tridion' safety cell has acted in the way it was designed to. The driver's door, for instance, remains intact, if slightly displaced. And kinks are visible in the safety cell, showing where impact has been transferred around the cabin, rather than through it.
It's clear to see the effect this energy has in the super slow-motion footage. As the two cars collide, the Smart is stopped instantly and on its short wheelbase, lifts its rear tires off the ground. The Mercedes, by comparison, continues on for much longer. Each car though also shows the benefits of its design. The S-Class absorbs damage dealt by the Smart in the length of its hood. The Smart, with less length to absorb such impacts, fares visually worse--though it's clear in the footage that Smart's 'Tridion' safety cell has acted in the way it was designed to. The driver's door, for instance, remains intact, if slightly displaced. And kinks are visible in the safety cell, showing where impact has been transferred around the cabin, rather than through it.
07-31-14, 08:10 AM
#30
Smart Fourjoy Concept Previews New Forfour: 2013 Frankfurt Auto Show
Smart will be providing us with our best look yet at its third-generation Fortwo with the unveiling of the Fourjoy concept car at next week’s 2013 Frankfurt Auto Show. The Fourjoy is the latest in a string of concepts that hint at the styling of the next Fortwo and a new Forfour, both of which are under development and due out late next year as 2015 models.
It features a number of details from previous show cars that proved popular, such as the square-shaped lights, lightweight construction and minimalist cabin. The honeycomb structure of the air intakes also emphasize the link with previous Smart concepts such as the For-us (2012 Detroit Auto Show) and Forstars (2012 Paris Auto Show). The four-seat configuration, meanwhile, hints directly at the layout planned for the four-door, four-seat Forfour. The original Forfour was built between 2004 and 2006 and only spawned a single generation, which never made it to the U.S. market.
The Fourjoy has a length of 11.4 feet, a width of 6.5 feet and a height of 4.9 feet, and the turning circle is just under 30 feet. Driving the rear wheels is an electric motor, rated at 55 kilowatts (74 horsepower). It draws its power from a 17.6-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery that takes around 7 hours to charge using an ordinary household power outlet.
The concept’s designers are keen to stress some of the more premium features, suggesting that Smart will be repositioning its new Fortwo and Forfour models slightly more upmarket to target the likes of MINI. The signature tridion cell is finished in aluminum and the raised smart lettering milled from more aluminum on the side skirts is a further sign of the top quality. As with the first-generation Fortwo, the rear lights are integrated in the tridion cell, and the lights, both in the front and the rear, all feature LEDs.
It features a number of details from previous show cars that proved popular, such as the square-shaped lights, lightweight construction and minimalist cabin. The honeycomb structure of the air intakes also emphasize the link with previous Smart concepts such as the For-us (2012 Detroit Auto Show) and Forstars (2012 Paris Auto Show). The four-seat configuration, meanwhile, hints directly at the layout planned for the four-door, four-seat Forfour. The original Forfour was built between 2004 and 2006 and only spawned a single generation, which never made it to the U.S. market.
The Fourjoy has a length of 11.4 feet, a width of 6.5 feet and a height of 4.9 feet, and the turning circle is just under 30 feet. Driving the rear wheels is an electric motor, rated at 55 kilowatts (74 horsepower). It draws its power from a 17.6-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery that takes around 7 hours to charge using an ordinary household power outlet.
The concept’s designers are keen to stress some of the more premium features, suggesting that Smart will be repositioning its new Fortwo and Forfour models slightly more upmarket to target the likes of MINI. The signature tridion cell is finished in aluminum and the raised smart lettering milled from more aluminum on the side skirts is a further sign of the top quality. As with the first-generation Fortwo, the rear lights are integrated in the tridion cell, and the lights, both in the front and the rear, all feature LEDs.