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Showing posts with label Smart Fortwo. Show all posts

Vilner Custom Studio Takes on the Smart ForTwo

You may or may not like Vilner's aesthetic proposals, but you’ll have to agree that Bulgarian studio is a very good example of what a company from a relatively small country with no background in its niche can achieve with some hard work and smart yet efficient marketing tactics. You see, instead of focusing on the local market and waiting for someone to discover the firm’s products, over the past year or so Vilner has been aggressively promoting every tune it has worked on. We don’t know if this strategy has translated into an overseas income, but it has put the company on the map, and that’s something worth noting.

In this latest tune, Vilner crafted a bespoke Smart ForTwo for one of its local customers. The Lilliputian two-door model received extensive styling modifications built around a square motive that is visible inside and out. On the outside, the ForTwo gains a colorful wrap that includes a chrome finish at the back and orange wheels, while the interior has been completely reworked featuring new and more luxurious materials throughout. Follow the jump for more pictures as well as a video from the build.

When I say, “Apparatjik,” you say, “Gesundheit”. Why? Because no doubt you, like me, had not even heard of these guys until today. Apparatjik are an electro band from Europe that describes their music as, no joke, “combat-disco”. Oh how I wish I was making this up. Anyways, for the band’s latest art-exhibition-cum-live-show Smart – yes, the same one that makes those piddling little city cars – took one of their ForTwo EV’s and covered it with a mosaic of mirrors.

I guess it must be artsy or something. As Michael Fischer, a spokesperson for Smart and someone who probably understands Appartjik about as well as you or I, explains:

“It’s not their approach to deliver a perfect piece of art or a perfect piece of music. It’s a very conceptual project. It’s not like a regular band. They play in a cube.”

Remember the patent designs of a topless, two-seat Smart model that we first showed you back in December, 2010? Well, according to galileo maeshary sources, the drawings are of a concept speedster model that will make its world premiere at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show on March 1.

We also learned the concept is powered by a rear-mounted electric motor driving the rear wheels, and that while Smart's parent company Mercedes-Benz has no plans to create a production version of the speedster-like model, key styling cues such as the headlamp and grille designs will pass on to the next generation Smart cars like the new Fortwo and the upcoming 5-door variant.

Daimler is planning to end an agreement with Penske Automotive Group regarding the distribution rights of Smart cars in the United States and transfer all activities to Mercedes-Benz USA, starting from the end of the second quarter of 2011. Read more »

Smart Four-Seater Prototype Scale Model Scooped at R&D Facility

It's no secret that Mercedes-Benz plans to give its Smart brand one more chance to extend its vehicle range after the not so-successful Mitsubishi Colt-based Forfour and the Roadster series. Last April, the German automaker signed a deal with the Renault-Nissan Group, with the two parties announcing the development of a new rear-wheel drive platform to be used on the successor of the current Smart Fortwo, a new four-seater Smart and the next-generation Renault Twingo.

Over the years, Daimler's Smart unit has introduced many limited edition models of its Fortwo micro car such as the 'Three', 'Hello Kitty' and 'GB-10'. This time around, Smart has presented a more sporty looking special edition of the Fortwo called the Nightorange.

Back in 2001 at the Geneva Motor Show, Smart introduced a quirky roadster concept with no doors, no roof and no windscreen called the Crossblade. The Fortwo Cabrio-based concept eventually went into a limited series production the following year with Smart offering a total of 2,000 cars.

Fast-forward to today, and Smart appears to be readying a spiritual successor to the Crossblade as the firm's parent company Mercedes-Benz has trademarked these designs drawings of a two-seater roadster model.

Unlike the original Crossblade, which came without doors featuring instead steel safety bars at passenger shoulder height that swing upwards with the help of a gas-operated struts, the roadster model seen in these pictures gets a conventional set of doors. It also features a larger wind deflector surrounding the driver and passenger as well as Smart's trademark Tridion Safety Cell - albeit redesigned to look like separate safety bars.

Mainstream American consumers may not be willing to cough up tens of thousands of dollars to buy new electric vehicles just yet, but they may be tempted to rent one. The Hertz Corp. and Smart USA today announced a joint partnership to bring the all-electric version of the Fortwo mini to Connect by Hertz car sharing and Hertz Rent A Car locations in New York, Washington, DC, and San Francisco.

If anything else, you can't blame Smart Fortwo owners for not having a sense of humor. Snagged on the streets of London by galileo maeshary reader Rob J., the Smart-tuned-into-Ferrari Fortwo comes with all the latest advancements in aerodynamic technology such as the individual, F1 style front and rear spoilers that keep the car firmly on the ground, even when people pass by and sneeze. Intrigued? Run through the jump for more tantalizing pics.

Hopefully, most of our readers will agree that a Smart Fortwo is a far more suitable candidate for a 'Hello Kitty' makeover than a Ferrari 360 Modena [weep here]. Furthermore, unlike the custom Modena, the Fortwo Hello Kitty is an officially licensed product as Smart's US distributor, Penske Automotive and Sanrio, the owner of the 'Hello Kitty' brand, signed an agreement to add a series of car wrap designs featuring the popular feline to the carmaker's vehicle customization program.

Numbers for Smart's Lilliputian Fortwo are dismal here in the States: from 24,600 units in 2008, sales dipped to 14,600 cars in 2009 and are 60% down to date this year. Furthermore, only 8.1% of metro New York buyers would return to the brand, while San Francisco is marginally better at 19.8%. With virtually no marketing (that I can see), a transmission with quirks that have to be explained, and a $14,000 price tag, something clearly has to be done to rectify the misperceived city car brand.Read more »

Smart Commemorates 10 Years of UK Sales with Special Edition Fortwo

In celebration of 10 years of sales in the UK, Smart is launching a new exclusive model called the Fortwo "gb-10" edition, of which only 100 will be produced for the local market. The mix of models consists of 50 gasoline engine coupes, 10 gasoline cabrios, 30 diesel coupes and 10 diesel cabrios.

For those that find the standard Smart ForTwo too cute and feminine for their tastes, there's this awesome creation; a tanked-out version of Mercedes-Benz's Lilliputian sub³compact. Add a rotating turret with a built in projectile launcher and are you all set for combat. Too bad we don't have the 'Full Monty' on the car and its creator.

The Smart Fortwo is entering the 2011 model year with an almost invisible change here and there complemented by the introduction of more economical engines.

In addition to the new range of available exterior colors that now include a matt finish and the availability of a red or blue colored soft-top for the cabrio models, the updated Fortwo gets fresh fabric and color options for the interior while the tridion safety cell is now optionally available in white.

Renowned Formula One race car and supercar designer Gordon Murray who gained fame for his involvement in the iconic McLaren F1 project, has finally taken the wraps off his latest creation [after more than two years of teasing], the T.25 city car.

Measuring 2.4 meters or 94.5-inches in length, 1.3 meters or 51.2-inches in width and 1.5 meters or 59-inches in height, the T.25 is smaller than Smart's minuscule Fortwo, yet Murray has managed to fit in three seats in a McLaren F1-style 1+2 layout with the driver sitting in the center of the car. The two passenger seats can be folded down allowing a luggage capacity of 720 liters.

Instead of using traditional doors, Murray opted to utilize the entire front section of the T.25 that pivots forward to allow entry into the car.

Mercedes-Benz's Smart brand is expanding its line of accessories for the Fortwo mini with a new series of adhesive foil stickers that are applied to the car's tridion safety cell as well as with new BRABUS interior components and LED daytime driving lights.

Merc's Smart brand is continuing its series of special edition versions of the Fortwo microcar with the presentation of the Greystyle edition that stands out thanks to its unique color combinations inside and out.

Available as a coupe or a cabrio with a 71HP petrol engine with micro hybrid drive technology (a.k.a. start and stop technology) or a 84HP petrol engine, the Greystyle Fortwo comes in an exclusive matt dark grey finish with matching 15-inch alloy wheels and contrasting yellow mirror caps.

The same color theme is found in the interior that combines dark colored fabric and high-quality nappa leather upholstery with yellow accents and trim parts.

Standard features include unique floor mats with the edition logo and the MP3-compatible CD radio smart radio 9. Electric power steering, heated seats, a lockable glove compartment and the smart sound system with MP3 interface are optionally available.

The special edition Fortwo Greystyle is on sale now with prices in Germany starting from €16,135 or about US$22,200 (including VAT).

Smart Fortwo to be Sold in Brazil from 2009

Having already made its way to the North American continent, the Smart brand is now heading south and in particular to Brazil. The announcement was made today at the Sao Paulo Auto Show where the Fortwo celebrated its domestic debut. Smart will tap in the promising Brazilian market from April 2009 offering the second generation Fortwo in both coupe and cabrio versions. Over one million of the two-seaters have been produced since the introduction of the first generation Fortwo in 1998. -Continued

During the presentation of the Fortwo at the Sao Paulo Auto Show, Anders-Sundt Jensen, Head of Brand Management at Smart commented, "The smart fortwo is a real success story - it is winning over customers in 37 markets throughout the world. We are certain that the agile two-seater possesses the ideal prerequisites to inspire lifestyle-oriented customers in Brazil's urban centers, starting with São Paulo."

"The upscale and fuel-efficient fortwo boasts not only exemplary safety equipment and distinctive smart design, but also typical smart quality and reliability." he added.

Mercedes Launches Rent-A-Smart Project in Germany: Daily Cost set at €273...

On 24 October 2008, Smart's parent company Daimler will inaugurate a pilot rent-a-car project called 'car2go' in the southern German city of Ulm that will see a fleet of Smart Fortwo vehicles being made available for rent within the boundaries of the city. So what's so different about Daimler's project that any other car rental service? Well, the difference is that following a one-off registration process, the Fortwos can be hired spontaneously in passing, or pre-booked and used for as long as desired with customer being able to simply park the rental smart anywhere within the city limits. -Continued

According to Merc', billing for the Ulm project has been set 19 cents (Euro) per minute which includes of all associated costs such as fuel, insurance and taxes. If you do the math -19 Euro cents x 60 minutes x 24 hours, renting a Fortwo for a whole day will cost you an amazing €273.6 or a whopping $364.7 with the current exchange rates.

Even if Mercedes claims that favorable hourly or daily rates apply to longer rental periods and that there is no joining fee nor any requirements to enter into any long-term contractual commitment, that's a hell of a lot of money to rent a bucket on wheels a Smart for 24 hours...

Cost aside, on registering for car2go, the customer's driving license is provided with an electronic chip that enables the car to be unlocked. According to the German maker and now car-rental company, customers can simply hold their driving licenses up to a reading device behind the windscreen, get in, enter their PIN number and well, cry for the amount of money they're paying and drive off.

Available vehicles can be located via the internet or a telephone service hotline while alternatively, they can be booked up to 24 hours in advance for as long as desired. In this case the location and directions to the vehicle reserved are sent to the customer in good time via a text message.

Once you've had your fix, you can simply leave the vehicle in a parking space within the city limits. All "non-managed" parking spaces within the city limits can be used, for example the car can be parked at the side of the road or within marked parking spaces. In addition, specially marked car2go parking spaces are provided at railway stations or airports.

Shuanghuan Noble: Chinese Smart Fortwo’s Motto is “Smarter Than The Rest…”

The Chinese clone of the Smart Fortwo, the Shuanghuan Noble has kicked off its insolent career in several European countries, including Greece, where we got these pictures from. Unless you’re working for Shuanghuan, there’s no need for us to tell you that the Noble is a near perfect copy of the first generation Smart Fortwo - in and out.

But what really took us by surprise is the motto that the importer chose to promote the Noble: “Smarter than the rest.” Jeez; as if importing the Chinese clone wasn’t provocative enough, these guys are totally rubbing it in the face of Smart’s parent company, Daimler!

On the other hand, with prices set in Greece at €8,880 / $12,937 for the “flirt” version, €9,880 / $14,935 for the “smile” and €11,880 / $17,307 for the “plus”, we’re guessing that Smart might have a chuckle or two on its way to court… -High-res images after the jump