Smart Fortwo


The Smart Fortwo is a two-seater city car manufactured and marketed by the Smart division of the Mercedes-Benz Group for model years 1998–2024, across three generations — each using a rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout and a one-box design.
The first generation was internally designated as the W450, launched at the 1998 Paris Motor Show. The second generation W451-build series was launched at the 2006 Bologna Motor Show. The third generation Fortwo was internally designated as the C453 build series, and debuted globally on July 16, 2014, at the Tempodrom in Berlin along with a closely related four-door version, the Smart Forfour, co-developed and sharing the same platform and engines with the third-generation Renault Twingo.
Marketed in 46 countries worldwide, Fortwo production had surpassed 1.7 million units by early 2015.
The brand name Smart supposedly derives from its early history as a cooperative venture between Swatch and Mercedes: Swatch Mercedes ART. The Fortwo nameplate derives from its two-person seating capacity. Until 2002, the Fortwo had been marketed as the smart City-Coupé.

History

Development of what ultimately became the Smart Fortwo started before 1993, originally as the Swatch car, developed by Nicolas Hayek in co-operation with Volkswagen. With a design focused on a modern microcar with an electric or hybrid drive, VW vacillated, disputes with Hayek ensued, and Hayek turned to Mercedes.
The company MCC was founded in 1994 by Hayek in Biel as a joint subsidiary of Daimler-Benz and SMH SA. When MCC abandoned the original concept and the planned electric or hybrid drive, both Hayek and senior development team members left the project. "Today's gasoline-powered Smart is a product from Daimler-Benz and has not much in common with the plans of the former Swatch team."

Design

The Fortwo is noted for its overall length, high H-point seating, offset passenger and driver seats, automated manual transmission, De Dion tube rear suspension, low CO2 emissions, two-part rear hatch, interchangeable plastic body panels and prominent steel hemispherical safety-cell, which is marketed as the Tridion cell and can be ordered in a contrasting color to the vehicle's body panels.
Fortwo models are manufactured at Smartville—a dedicated Daimler assembly plant in Hambach, France—in Coupé and Cabrio body styles, each in a mono-box configuration.
Smartville underwent a 200 million euro upgrade beginning in mid-2013 for the third generation.
With the second generation, Smart introduced a version with automatic start-stop, marketed as the MHD, or Micro-Hybrid Drive—offered only in certain markets. A sport model, marketed as the Brabus model, has been available in both generations, and Daimler introduced the Smart electric drive, an all-electric version, in 2007. The Fortwo forms the basis for Daimler's Car2go fleet, the largest car-sharing enterprise worldwide.
In 2002, the New York Museum of Modern Art introduced a first generation ForTwo into its permanent collection, and in 2014 the Fortwo was voted the Best Microcar for the fifth year in a row by readers of the Chinese edition of Auto, Motor und Sport. At the time of its commercial launch, the Smart Fortwo diesel-engined variant, the Cdi, had the lowest carbon dioxide emissions for an internal combustion engine, at 88 g/km rated NEDC cycle.
Auto, Motor und Sport cites a drag coefficient of 0.35 and Alles Auto cites a Cd of 0.345 for the second generation W451 series

Transmissions

The first and second-generation Fortwo models employ an automated manual transmission, designed and manufactured by Getrag, where the clutch is computer-controlled via electrohydraulics, eliminating the need for a clutch pedal. The first generation used a six-speed version, and the second generation uses a five-speed version, model 5AMT130. Input from floor-mounted shifter or optional steering-wheel-mounted paddles controls a servo-operated clutch and an automated manual gearbox. The vehicle may be driven in automatic mode or in semi-automatic mode via paddle-shifters, where the operator controls the shift points but cannot feather or adjust the speed of the clutch.
From 2009, revised transmission software enabled smoother and faster gear changes. The software, available via an ECU upgrade, was also made available for 2008 second generation cars, with a new battery as required.
Third-generation models receive a five-speed manual transmission or six speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Parking

With an overall length approximately equal to the width of regular parking space, a Smart Fortwo can park perpendicularly in spaces typically designed for parallel parking, allowing two Smarts to park in one space—a manner of parking not permissible in many jurisdictions worldwide.

First generation (450 series; 1998)

The first-generation, build series MC01 debuted in 1998 and received a facelift in 2002.

Engine

The engines are turbocharged with three cylinders. Originally the basic petrol engine was 599 cc, and came in three versions—. The engine displacement was increased to 698 cc with the facelift in 2002, in variants. The turbo-diesel engine had 799 cc displacement giving.

Models

The Fortwo is available as a coupe or cabriolet, originally called the "City-Coupé" & "cabrio", now the "fortwo" & "fortwo Cabrio", introduced in 2000 and restyled in 2002. Trim levels include the Pure, Pulse, and Passion. Pure models are fitted with the standard audio system but nothing else; Pulse models are fitted with alloy wheels, panoramic glass roof, and paddle-shifters on the steering wheel ; and finally, the Passion models are fitted with air-conditioning and ability to select between fully automatic and sequential gearbox.
  • Limited 1: The first limited edition of which 7500 were made, all left-hand drive. It was released at the original launch in 1998. It had a black Tridion cell and white body panels. It also had alloy wheels, a Limited 1 insignia, and a blue interior with beige leather finishings. It was supplied with a certificate showing which numbers out of the 7500, and a plaque with this number below the windshield on the inside.
  • SE: This was the second limited edition made by Smart; it was sold in mid-2001 and all were left-hand-drive. They were all Pulse specification with a redesigned steering wheel, soft-touch, air conditioning, CD Multi-changer, and drinks holder as standard. The engine power was upped to 61BHP from the standard 55BHP normally applied to the Pulse in the 600cc G1 cars. It was designated by a SE badge on the boot and was sold in Bay Grey with grey interior and dark blue twist fabric.
  • Cdi: has the world's smallest production common-rail direct injection diesel engine. With a consumption of 3.3 litres per 100 kilometres and CO2 emissions of just 88 grams per kilometre, it has the lowest current production car CO2 emissions worldwide, since Audi and Volkswagen retired its 3-cylinder cars, the A2 1.2 TDI and the Lupo 1.2 TDI respectively.
  • Crossblade: a 2002 limited-edition variant of the City Cabrio, a roadster without a windshield, roof, or conventional doors. 2000 were produced. Its weight was still. The Brabus-tuned engine developed 52 kW from its 599 cc engine. After Robbie Williams purchased Crossblade number 008, Smart began a marketing association with him, using him to promote the brand and the new Forfour.
  • Crosstown: a convertible with a foldable windshield based on the Fortwo, was presented at IAA Frankfurt in 2005. No plans have been announced to bring this model to market.
  • Smart Fortwo Brabus Edition Red: - 35 Coupé and 15 Cabrio models.
Between 2006 and 2007 Brabus produced and sold 50 Smart Fortwo Edition Red cars for the UK market. All of these vehicles were originally produced with a black Tridion safety cell and black plastic panels, the car was then later repainted at Brabus in Intense Red. The car was built with the usual Brabus additions to the exterior, these being Brabus front grill, Brabus front splitter, Brabus side skirts, black plastic Brabus rear exhaust panel and 16 inch Brabus Monoblock alloy wheels. These vehicles were always rumoured to be Brabus Nightrun Fortwo's that were later reworked.
The interior was bespoke to this limited run of vehicles. The interior is half leather and half alcantara with red stitching. The seats use the smaller, non sport foams. This is unusual as all other Brabus 450 Fortwo's use the wider sports style seat foams. The door card inserts are alcantara with leather door pockets with the dash board finished in alcantara with an aluminium Brabus plaque displayed in the centre. None of these vehicles had heated seats or electric wing mirrors. All Brabus Edition Red Fortwo's are equipped with a 3-spoke steering wheel, bespoke floor mats, air conditioning, CD player, Brabus clock and rev counter, Brabus speedo displaying 120 mph and all of the removable interior plastics repainted in Intense Red to match the exterior.
Designed on the base of the Fortwo Brabus, this limited edition example is powered by a 55 kW 3-cylinder turbo charged engine although all of the upgraded hardware is from the 60 kW motor with a different tune. Brabus upgrades over a standard 698cc Smart Fortwo include a 60 kW camshaft, 60 kW yellow Bosch injectors, 60 kW turbo charger, 60 kW turbo to intercooler pipe, Brabus branded central twin outlet exhaust with chrome tips, aluminium Brabus intake manifold name plaque and the gearbox from a Smart Roadster.
  • Nightrun: includes instrument panels, steering wheel, paddles, shifter, Monoblock VI alloy wheels, leather seats, and engine upgrade from Brabus. Edition Nightrun is only available with the Fortwo coupé/Cabrio.
  • Truestyle: painted in metallic ruby red, available in pure trim.
  • i-move: a special edition run of 70 Fortwo Cabrio, based on the Passion Cabrio specs with Brabus Monobloc VI wheels, leather interior trim, Lite White panels, an iPod cradle with special edition 20Gb 3G iPod, and an aluminum nameplate on the dash confirmed its special edition status.
  • Forfun2 Concept: an off-road version of the Fortwo introduced at the 2005 Athens Motor Show by Greek 4x4 Rally Champion Stefan Attart. It combines the body of a Fortwo with the chassis and drivetrain of a Unimog. It sports monster truck-like wheels wrapped in diameter tires and winding keys where the Fortwo's rear wheels are supposed to be.
  • Brabus: In 2003 Smart and Brabus introduced the jointly developed version of the Fortwo with the 698cc engine. It had of power and 110 Nm of torque. It was available in both coupe and convertible versions. It also featured wider wheels, revised front spoiler and grille, and a revised rear exhaust.
  • K: launched in October 2001, exclusively for the Japanese market, it was designed to fit the Japanese kei car regulations. Using specially modified suspension that narrowed the track width, altered tire dimensions, and narrower rear fenders, the vehicle width was reduced to 1.47 m. The engine displacement remained unchanged at 598 cc, as Kei-car standards specify a maximum of under. Safety features include ESP and BAS as standard. The Smart K also facilitates the starting procedure with the Hill Start Assist that makes a starts on slopes easier. The Smart K was discontinued in November 2004.
  • Fortwo Edition Limited One: Featured special metallic grey body panels; silver Tridion cell; brown leather for the seating, steering wheel, and shift lever—along with matching floor mats. The model marked the launch of the W451 build series.
Overall, due to poor sales, Daimler lost an estimated €4,470 per first-generation Fortwo produced.