xcel
11-11-2006, 12:42 PM
Compact city car heavily revamped for entry into North America in 2008. (http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061110/FREE/61110002/1065)
Greg Kable - AutoWeek - Nov. 11, 2006
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Smart_ForTwo1.jpgEight years after it altered the face of inner-city motoring across Europe, DaimlerChrysler’s financially embattled Smart car offshoot has unveiled a successor to the tiny ForTwo in both coupe and cabriolet guises. The new two-seat city car, planned to go on sale in the United States in 2008, has been developed totally from scratch in a move Smart boss Ulrich Walker claims has led to a 25 percent lowering in production costs—something he says will finally see Smart posting a profit beginning in 2008.
At first glance, the new ForTwo appears little changed with only the shape of its headlights and other minor exterior details providing any real clue to its identity. But despite sharing the same basic styling, the new ForTwo is said to share only 10 percent of components with the car it replaces. The need to meet stiff new crash regulations has shaped much of the changes made. Key among them is a longer front overhang to meet pedestrian safety laws in Europe together with a lengthening of the rear overhang aimed at seeing it pass NHTSA’s high-speed rear impact test.
Overall, the second-generation ForTwo is 7.6 inches longer, 1.7 inches wider and a scant 0.3 inch taller than the outgoing model, which despite never returning a profit managed to reach more than 750,000 sales during its eight years of production.
The interior has changed dramatically. Gone is the swoopy dashboard of old, replaced by a more upright structure claimed to enhance passive safety. On the engine front, the new 1.0-liter three-cylinder, direct-injection engine is assembled by Mitsubishi in Japan and will be offered in three versions of tune: 61 hp, 71 hp and, in turbocharged guise, 84 hp. The engine will be mated to an upgraded version of Smart’s clutchless five-speed manual transmission.
A Brabus version of the new two-seater is planned to get an airing at next year’s Geneva motor show.
As with the outgoing ForTwo, the new one will be offered in three different trim levels - Pure, Pulse and Passion.
Greg Kable - AutoWeek - Nov. 11, 2006
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Smart_ForTwo1.jpgEight years after it altered the face of inner-city motoring across Europe, DaimlerChrysler’s financially embattled Smart car offshoot has unveiled a successor to the tiny ForTwo in both coupe and cabriolet guises. The new two-seat city car, planned to go on sale in the United States in 2008, has been developed totally from scratch in a move Smart boss Ulrich Walker claims has led to a 25 percent lowering in production costs—something he says will finally see Smart posting a profit beginning in 2008.
At first glance, the new ForTwo appears little changed with only the shape of its headlights and other minor exterior details providing any real clue to its identity. But despite sharing the same basic styling, the new ForTwo is said to share only 10 percent of components with the car it replaces. The need to meet stiff new crash regulations has shaped much of the changes made. Key among them is a longer front overhang to meet pedestrian safety laws in Europe together with a lengthening of the rear overhang aimed at seeing it pass NHTSA’s high-speed rear impact test.
Overall, the second-generation ForTwo is 7.6 inches longer, 1.7 inches wider and a scant 0.3 inch taller than the outgoing model, which despite never returning a profit managed to reach more than 750,000 sales during its eight years of production.
The interior has changed dramatically. Gone is the swoopy dashboard of old, replaced by a more upright structure claimed to enhance passive safety. On the engine front, the new 1.0-liter three-cylinder, direct-injection engine is assembled by Mitsubishi in Japan and will be offered in three versions of tune: 61 hp, 71 hp and, in turbocharged guise, 84 hp. The engine will be mated to an upgraded version of Smart’s clutchless five-speed manual transmission.
A Brabus version of the new two-seater is planned to get an airing at next year’s Geneva motor show.
As with the outgoing ForTwo, the new one will be offered in three different trim levels - Pure, Pulse and Passion.