SMART FORTWO 2012

The substantially revamped smart fortwo sports a markedly more dynamic appearance, featuring a larger radiator grille with integrated logo, striking front aprons in a new design, horizontally arranged LED daytime driving lights, muscular side skirts and modified rear aprons. "The way in which the fortwo now displays the smart logo more prominently stands for the brand's new self-confidence," notes smart boss Dr Annette Winkler." The smart fortwo has long become an icon that is a defining feature of urban traffic throughout the world."

The chrome-coloured logo is now positioned directly in the black radiator grille. The air inlets under the number plate have been combined into a single unit, lending the smart fortwo a bolder appearance. The new, optionally available LED daytime driving lights are now arranged horizontally. There is also a choice of three new alloy wheels: the smart fortwo passion comes with a new 9-spoke alloy wheel; two additional alloy wheels fitted with wide tyres and featuring a 3-spoke and 3-twin-spoke design respectively round off the range. The choice of colours comprises seven options, including matt anthracite for the first time. The smart fortwo BRABUS Xclusive is now also optionally available in white. In addition to the three soft top colours for the smart cabrio which were previously available from the smart programme (black, red, blue), the smart BRABUS tailor made programme offers six other soft top colours.

While the main focus of this facelift is on the exterior, there are changes inside the car, too. These include a new, high-quality interior package in crystal grey, comprising a fresh leather/fabric combination for the seats, an imitation leather/fabric mix for the door trims and black imitation leather for the instrument panel in combination with a grey knee pad.

The pulse and passion equipment lines are generally more colourful options than the basic pure model. pulse and passion highlight the frame of the front grille and the rear trim strip in silver, for example, while the front spoiler, side skirts and rear apron are painted in the car's exterior colour. The door mirror caps are finished in the tridion colour. On the smart pure, these components are black.

The five lines – pure, pulse, passion, BRABUS and BRABUS Xclusive – are to be retained. Similarly, the smart fortwo will continue to be available as a coupé and cabrio version and with six engine and motor variants. The spectrum ranges from the particularly environment-friendly electric power train in the fortwo electric drive and the efficient micro hybrid petrol engine through the powerful turbo petrol engine to the fuel-efficient cdi turbodiesel. Prices begin at € 10,275 for the smart fortwo 45 kW mhd pure.

Here is an overview of the engine range:

Combined fuel consumption and CO₂ values with softip gearshift, values for softouch shown in brackets, top speed electronically limited; * coupé, ** "sale&care" model plus a gross monthly leasing rate of under 70 euros for the battery

The new model generation for 2012 represents the continuation of a unique success story for smart: as a trendsetter the smart fortwo has been redefining individual urban mobility for more than ten years now. It combines responsibility to the environment and high ecological standards with joie de vivre and a high fun factor. With its compact dimensions the two-seater takes up less road and parking space than any other car around.

More than 1.3 million smart fortwos have been delivered to customers since the first model was launched in 1998. 101,996 smart fortwos were handed over to customers worldwide in 2011 – 4.6 percent more than in the previous year.

The car2go mobility service is also attracting growing numbers of fans. Over 2000 smart fortwos are currently in operation for 60,000 customers in seven cities around the globe. car2go is already successfully up and running in Ulm and Hamburg (Germany), Austin and San Diego (USA), Vancouver (Canada), Vienna (Austria) and Amsterdam (Netherlands). car2go will be launching in Lyon (France), Düsseldorf, Stuttgart, Washington D.C. and other cities in 2012.

The facelifted smart fortwo will be available in the UK in April 2012

Smart driving at MPG marathon - 99.24MPG

Eco driving champion Mick Linford and co-driver Ella Flynn judiciously steered the smart through over 370.9 miles of tough roads around Wiltshire, Hampshire, Dorset and Somerset over two days.  The smart cdi has won the MPG on all three occasions it has been entered, and always with “Eco Mick” at the wheel.  In this year’s test, the smart cdi was 12.84mpg more efficient than its nearest rival.

Strong winds and inclement weather made driving conditions tough, as Mick explained: “I was determined to break the magical 100mpg mark this year, but the weather and one particularly hilly section was against us.  To get so close is a double-edged sword - but I’m delighted that the smart delivered these incredible results despite the challenges!”

With CO₂ emissions from only 86g/km, the frugal, 54bhp smart cdi proved to be the ideal choice for the two-day challenge that demonstrates how careful eco-driving can increase safety, dramatically reduce fuel costs and lower CO₂ emissions.

Gary Savage, Managing Director Mercedes-Benz Cars said:  “To win this incredibly tough challenge for three years on the trot is an exceptional result, more than 15 per cent better than the official combined fuel consumption figure of 85.6mpg.  My thanks to Mick and Ella for delivering another victory.

“smart has been pushing the boundaries of environmental motoring for 13 years now, and as well as being frugal, it’s also fun to drive.  Next year the electric drive goes on sale, which doesn’t emit any local emissions at all.”

During the 2011 competition, the smart’s on-board odometer reading meant the average fuel consumption for the recorded distance travelled was showing 101.68 mpg – a little more ambitious than the official verdict, which was recalculated due to a diversion en-route.

Gary Savage added:  “The organisers generously offered a charity prize of £1000 to be donated for the first manufacturer to break into three figures.  If we split the difference between our recording and the official result, we’re just over that magic marker.

“So to mark the smart cdi’s hat-trick I’d like to match the organisers’ gesture, and donate £1000 to the charity of their choice.  We’ll even deliver the cheque in the winning smart! 

“And after three wins it’s the perfect way for the smart cdi to gracefully bow out of this competition – next year we’ll give someone else a chance to win,” Gary concluded.

Mick Linford is used to winning behind the wheel.  Before ‘recycling’ his career as an eco supremo he worked in motorsport for over 20 years.  He concluded: “The will to win is the same, whether we’re going for the fastest time or the most frugal result.  I’ll be back next year, driving something else – and going for another challenge!”

MPG Marathon organiser Ross Durkin said: “Mick Linford’s performance was up to his usual incredibly high standard and we were all holding our breath at final refuelling, but the dial clicked agonisingly past the vital point. There were plenty of other notable performances with almost every team taking part beating the manufacturer’s published figures for their vehicle – something that every car driver should aim for.”

The smart cdi costs from £10,400 OTR.  A full range of offers is available from uk.smart.com/offers.

A high level of environmental friendliness is an innate characteristic of the iconic and successful smart fortwo. The diesel model - the smart fortwo cdi - always underlined this claim with carbon dioxide emissions of just 88 grams per kilometre, the lowest figure worldwide for cars with a combustion engine. Now the smart fortwo is setting a new record with emissions of just 86 g/km, and fuel consumption of 85.6 mpg (combined cycle) in the manual “softip” mode which means that it keeps its title of CO₂ champion.

The smart engineers have been able to improve the smart fortwo cdi's fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions in the course of continuous further development. The measures included an improvement in the vehicle’s aerodynamics. A reduction in ride height by seven millimetres, for example, resulted in improved rolling resistance characteristics.

Dermot Kelly, Managing Director, Mercedes-Benz Cars, said: “Our customers are proud to drive the vehicle with the lowest consumption worldwide, and we have been working hard to make our smart models even more environmentally friendly.  “As a trendsetter we have to live up to the standards we set: the next level of sustainable drives is ready to go - the smart fortwo electric drive.  From April this year, 100 drivers in London, the South East and West Midlands will be selected to take delivery of the latest-generation smart fortwo electric drive, and from 2012 the dream of motoring with no local emissions will become a reality for everyone.”

Smart cdi goes the extra mile to win MPG Marathon

Driven by smart eco-driver, Mick Linford the smart fortwo cdi passion coupe achieved this phenomenal figure over the demanding 360-mile route.

Acclaimed for its world-beating emissions of only 88g/km, the 45bhp cdi was the ideal choice for the two-day event that aimed to demonstrate how careful eco-driving can significantly reduce the fuel costs and CO₂ emissions of the country’s motorists and enhance safety.

Mick achieved the best ever mpg figure in the event’s seven-year history and improved on the cdi’s official combined fuel economy figure of 85.6mpg by over 13 per cent.

“I’m already looking forward to next year’s competition when I hope to achieve another record breaking figure by exceeding the 100mpg barrier,” explained Mick, who has previously driven a smart from London to Edinburgh on a single tank of fuel.    

Dermot Kelly, Managing Director, Mercedes-Benz Cars, said: “smart has always been renowned for its unique style but this fantastic mpg result and its

all-conquering emissions mean that smart now really leads the way when it comes to low ownership costs – a fact which is attracting an ever-increasing number of car buyers to the iconic brand.”

From October 2009 the smart cdi costs from £9,227.55 on the road.

Smart with more power and pleasure (01 September 2009)

The revised smart fortwo cdi – the world’s most efficient production car – will provide a winning blend of exhilaration, economy and low emissions as a result of engine advances. An additional 9bhp unleashes 21 per cent more power from the state-of-the-art three-cylinder engine, which also delivers an extra 18 per cent torque (130Nm).

And whilst the 54bhp smart cdi will be quicker off the blocks – its 0-62.5mph acceleration time cut by three seconds – it remains the CO₂ champion amongst all production cars with a combustion engine, emitting just 89g/km of CO₂.

Across the smart range, significant improvements to standard specifications will strengthen the cars’ appeal and add considerable value to a customer’s purchase.

The sporty pulse now features air conditioning and softouch transmission as standard, with customers able to customise their car with optional extras such as a panoramic roof and front fog lights.

In-car communications technology comes to the fore in passion models, which include a Pioneer navigation and entertainment system as part of an impressive specification. This high-tech package offers full sat-nav capability, Bluetooth, iPod/USB connectivity, CD and radio operation via a 4.3-inch detachable screen. Dash dials and a lockable glovebox are also standard features.

All smart model lines produced from October 2009 onwards will boast stylish interior revisions too. The instrument cluster, dash dials and light/wiper levers will become pearl black rather than pearl grey, with the exception of passion models where these accents will be red or beige when ordered with design red or design beige upholstery.

From October 2009 production, on-the-road pricing of the smart model range starts from £8,517.55.

Greenest smart bound for Britain (19 June 2008)

The world’s CO₂ champion, the smart fortwo cdi, is coming to Britain.

Sales of the new smart diesel model, which boasts the lowest CO₂ emissions of any current production car worldwide, just 88g/km, will start next year with manufacturing of right-hand drive models commencing in February.

As well as impressive green credentials buyers will appreciate the car’s remarkable fuel economy. Fuel consumption on the combined cycle is 85.6mpg. It means the new smart can travel 670 miles between top-ups, equivalent to a journey from Dover to Prague.

Dermot Kelly, Managing Director, Mercedes-Benz Cars, said: “The cdi gives customers the whole range of smart benefits when driving in and around the city, with the added bonus of low cost, long distance motoring.  Our retailers are reporting heightened interest in the iconic two-seater; registrations are buoyant and we think the addition of the smart cdi to the range early next year will give added momentum.”

The car’s Mercedes-Benz-developed three-cylinder common-rail diesel engine develops a healthy 45hp, offering drivers useful performance as well as economy. The diesel model will be available in both coupé and cabrio versions.

The smart cdi benefits from all the enhancements currently available in the new smart fortwo petrol models, including improved ride and handling, class-leading safety, added protection from head and thorax airbags, a larger boot, more elbow and shoulder room, comfier seats, upgraded trim and a revised dashboard layout with a more efficient ventilation system. There is also a new five-speed semi-automatic transmission offering both fully automatic and manual modes.

Pricing and specification for the new diesel model will be announced nearer to launch.

Smart fortwo cdi performance confirmed (03 Dec 2007)

At present there is no more economical way of running a car: Italian car magazine confirms the low consumption of the smart fortwo cdi.

On a long journey of 1,000 km the Italian car magazine “Quattroruote” measured the fuel consumption of the smart fortwo cdi and confirmed the standard consumption of 3.3 litres per 100 kilometres.

The current December issue of the magazine carries a report of the test drive. The smart travelled 1,000 kilometres from Rome to Salzburgon a single tank of fuel to see whether the stated standard consumption of just 3.3 litres per 100 kilometres could really be achieved.
The route chosen largely consisted of motorways, but there were also detours and traffic jams because of roadworks, long uphill stretches and city traffic in Rome, Bolzano and Salzburg.

The result: the smart fortwo cdi travelled the 1,000 km on a single tank of fuel. This corresponds to average consumption of just 3.3 litres per 100 kilometres i.e. the standard consumption. According to “Quattroruote” this makes the smart fortwo cdi the vehicle with the lowest average consumption that the magazine has ever tested in the history of its road tests.

With standard consumption of just 3.3 litres per 100 kilometres and CO2 emissions of just 88 grams per kilometre the smart fortwo cdi is the production vehicle with the lowest consumption and the lowest carbon dioxide emissions. For customers this means that at present there is no more economical and climate-friendly car than the smart fortwo cdi.