Smart Fortwo 2005 News

We always knew that Smart’s foray into the US market was an ambitious one, with the tiny ForTwo contrasting sharply with the American taste for pickup trucks and big SUVs.And now one US ForTwo owner has bridged the gap between the three cylinder, two-seat micro and more common US fare by sitting it atop a big block Chevy V8 and drag car chassis.With classic bigs ‘n littles placed well outside the ForTwo’s compact body, the result looks like the offspring of a Smart and a 60s F1 car, with the exhaust note of a monster truck. Plenty of people have fitted powerful motorcycle engines to their Smarts before, but this big block example takes the cake. Watch the desktop version of the Smart ForTwo drag car video here.

Smart’s third-generation Fortwo is a year behind schedule, which means it might be some time still until we see the car finally unveiled. To keep interest alive, Smart will reportedly unveil a pair of concepts previewing the design at the 2013 Frankfurt Auto Show next month.One will be for the new Fortwo while the second will preview a new Forfour. The Forfour, as you may have guessed by its name, is a four-seat version of the Fortwo. It was launched alongside the first-generation Fortwo but never spawned a successor. The latest concepts will more closely resemble the new Smarts than the previous Forstars concept shown in 2012.Underpinning them and the eventual production models they will spawn will be the new platform jointly developed by Smart and alliance partner Renault (the French automaker will use it for its next-generation Twingo). The new platform will be flexible enough to spawn a variety of models including a high-riding crossover, reports Autocar.This larger Smart will target the MINI Countryman, though it is expected to come exclusively with a rear-engine, rear-drive layout. This configuration is said to be a signature of the Smart brand and won’t be changing, at least with the coming generation. Spy shots of both the new Fortwo and new Forfour have surfaced, though they only show test mules in an early stage of development. A debut is likely to take place next year.www.motorauthority.com  

This German ad for the Smart Fortwo shows how useless the tiny runabout is on off-road terrain. It’s okay though, because it beats any 4x4 wagon over city terrain.

A niche purchasing method for that most niche of cars, Smart, has been launched online. The Mercedes-Benz two seat micro car can be bought entirely through a website. There have been online gambits previously, most notably Subaru's 2012 sell out of its entire annual allocation of the BRZ sports car. But Benz managing director Horst Von Sanden says the smart initiative goes further. “While there have been opportunities for customers with other brands to secure a vehicle online with a deposit, the difference with this platform is that every single detail including; calculation of on road and delivery costs, the amount of the payment in full, service packages and dealer delivery point, can be completed via the platform, and won't be restricted to a specific time period”, Von Sanden says. “While we will be adding insurance and finance options shortly, our current customers can either make payment in full with a credit card, or pay a $2000 deposit and complete the balance via Bpay. “We are extremely satisfied with the online platform, and since its introduction last week, four smart cars have already been sold.” Both current models the Smart Fortwo and Smart Fortwo cabrio can be configured in the site. They're priced to driveaway at $18,990 and $20,990 for the open top. The first online Smart Fortwo was bought by James White from Sydney and delivered through Morrison Motors of Chatswood.  

... and this test mule points to a potential +2 model with a bigger cabin. The new ForTwo stays as a tiny two-seater but the +2 is expected to add back seats for two more.

Just drive in and park – and you’ve got charge. Or slot into a special carpark on the street and do the same thing.Similar to the inductive charging plates you can get for mobile phones – and the inductive technology used by your electric toothbrush as well – cordless charging is probing into the car world.A trial project has been started in Berlin, with German carmakers Audi, BMW, Daimler, Opel and VW lining up to give their electric vehicles a shot. The real-world trial is being backed by the German government, and will start in March 2012 with a family of four living in an induction-equipped house.Over the 15 months they’re in residence, they’ll get to drive cars from the German brands, with the first car onto the rank being a Mercedes-Benz A-Class E-CELL modified with a special charging coil that allows an induction charging option.The A-Class E-CELL will be parked over a charging coil in the carport floor, automatically activating charging via an electromagnetic field. The A-Class will still be able to be charged via the house’s domestic power outlet and public charging stations.Lining up behind the A-Claass – and from the same Daimler stable - are a Smart Fortwo and a Smart ebike electric bicycle, all of which will be evaluated to see how well the technology fits into everyday family life. At least, if you’re an everyday family living in a one-off science lab project.

The most likely site of the preview is the Paris Motor Show in the final quarter of 2012, based on strong sales in crowded European capital cities.

Two new Smart cars are on the boil as Daimler of Germany leverages a new tie-up with Nissan-Renault. There will be two cars for two continents but only one is likely to make it to Australia. "There is a tie-up with Nissan to build a car for the USA and another with Renault for Europe," says David McCarthy, spokesman for Mercedes-Benz Australia. He is short on detail because the future models are still on the secret list, but admits there are rumours that the American car will be a four-seater twinned with the new Nissan Micra and the European model will share with the next Renault Twingo. "We really have nothing to say yet," says McCarthy. But it's unlikely that Smart will ever grow to the multi-car lineup originally planned for the brand. At one time there were ForTwo, ForFour and Roadster models in showrooms with a compact SUV also in the planning. Prices were too high and sales were too low - although the Brabus ForFour which sold at $40,000 still brings $30,000 for secondhand sales - to sustain a stand-alone brand. Instead, Benz cut the Smart line right back to the ForTwo and decided it would be used as an entry to the Mercedes-Benz lineup. As well as a way of spreading development costs and bringing an emissions credit from the baby cars to benefit the whole Daimler lineup. While the ForTwo is certain for Australia there is also the possibility of electric scooters under the Smart brand, following a two-wheeled preview at the Paris Motor Show last month. "It gives a clue. We've got to find someone to build it," says McCarthy. While the future cars are some way away, the existing Smart ForTwo is heading for a major makeover including smoother bodywork and daytime running lamps. It will arrive in Australia early next year following a preview last month in Germany. "We will have the ForTwo in the first quarter. It should be February," says McCarthy. But, as Smart is being renewed, Mercedes-Benz has axed the baby A-Class in Australia. "It's no longer part of the catalogue. But there will be another A- Class and it will return," says McCarthy. "We decided to concentrate on the B-Class and our decision has been vindicated by the sales. Last month it actually led its class in the small segment, with 237 sales against the Audi A3 at 137, and we've outsold the Mini and 1 BMW Series year-to-date. B-class sales are significantly higher today than A and B were together."

It's clever and quirky, but the Smart car concept is largely lost on many Australians. The diminutive 2.7m-long Smart Fortwo may have taken Europe by storm, but it has struggled to find its footing in Australia. Despite the Smart Forfour and Roadster now discontinued, DaimlerChrysler president and CEO Wolfgang Schrempp says the one-make brand still has a future here. DaimlerChrysler acknowledges it may have been too clever for its own good and not addressed key marketing issues with the car. As fuel prices skyrocket and commuters turn to motorcycles for their second vehicles, Schrempp is convinced there is enormous scope for the new Smart Fortwo. “I am convinced ... we can do 2000 to 3000. Seven hundred units for Smart is ... just not enough,” Schrempp says. Last year DaimlerChrysler sold 773 Smarts in Australia, a 20percent lift on 2005 sales figures. The Fortwo, with 533 sales, was the dominant model sold. Schrempp acknowledges the Fortwo's pricing has been a key sticking point. At $19,900 for the coupe and $22,900 for the cabrio, the Fortwo must compete in the small-hatch segment. Some four-door cars with bigger engines and more room are positioned right in the Fortwo's price range. “Yes, that is a problem,” Schrempp says. He is aware that Australia's wide open spaces and clearly marked public parking spaces diminishes the argument for an ultra-mini like the Fortwo. But his message is clear; get ready for some smart marketing for the Smart. The new Fortwo is expected to go on sale next year. It is slightly bigger than the current car and Australia will probably get a more powerful 45kW three-cylinder petrol engine, and possibly the new ultra-frugal 62kW turbodiesel.  

Industry figures released this week show the real boom in the market has been in four-cylinder cars valued at less than $25,000.Known as the light car segment, sales in the division are up 22.7 per cent for the year to date on last year, while the large car segment is down the same figure. Last month light cars were up by 31.4 per cent on August last year.Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries chief executive Peter Sturrock says this trend has increased over the past couple of years, with a recent acceleration put down to high petrol prices."Well, quite simply because they are more fuel efficient, small and less expensive to purchase in the first place and they're less expensive to run," Sturrock says.A total of 10,806 light cars were sold last month and 77,650 sold this year, which is 14,346 more than last year. Leading the line-up is the Toyota Yaris, with a starting price of $14,990, which recorded 2673 sales in August, taking the total to 18,064 for the year to date.Added to this figure are the remaining 304 Echos that Toyota has sold this year, before the nameplate was changed to be consistent with the Yaris badging used in Europe.Hyundai's small Getz, named Australia's Best Small Car for 2005 by Australia's auto clubs, has also achieved an increase in sales, with 1738 models sold last month, and 13,863 for the year, an 18.4 per cent improvement over the same period last year.Getz prices start at $13,990 and stretch to $18,380. The cheapest car on the market, the Holden Barina, starting at $13,490, has the third highest sales for the segment, with 1091 sales in August and 9567 for the year to date.The Barina is followed by the Suzuki Swift, Honda Jazz and Kia Rio, all recording between 5500 and 6800 sales each for the year-to-date and just under 100 sales in August.Sturrock says while fuel prices are contributing to a shift to these cars, good value at a low price is also converting buyers."The small cars now are very well equipped," he says. "Some years ago they were the basic models, but now they're well equipped with safety and anti-theft, occupant protection, airbags and ABS, and they often have Electronic Stability Control."Features in this segment on cars such as the Yaris and Getz include front airbags, an MP3 compatible CD system, airconditioning, power windows, central locking and ABS. Some even come with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and anti-skid technology.Holden's Barina offers airconditioning as standard, a feature that has to be bought as an option in the $34,990 base model VE Commodore Omega. The Hyundai Getz also offers a five-year/130,000km warranty.Toyota spokesman, Mike Breen, says this segment also offers a good alternative to second-hand cars."With the options that you can get on a brand new car, plus the new car warranty, it's quite appealing, especially to younger people," he says. And it seems a wide variety of buyers are purchasing these light cars, from students through to families and retirees.Hyundai spokesman Richard Power says its small cars, the Getz and Accent, are finding a market among a variety of drivers."We get quite a few young people buying it as their first new car and there's loyalty from senior motorists, who don't need a big car any more and are very attracted by the long warranty," he says. Overall, the car market has dropped by 3.4per cent on last year, with 642,383 vehicles sold, a decrease of 22,513 vehicles. August was also down from 2005 by 4516 vehicles.In the small car segment, sales are up 3 per cent year-to-date, with the Toyota Corolla the segment leader with 4147 sales in August and 31,705 Corollas sold this year. But small car sales also experienced a slight drop last month, down 1.3 per cent or 244 vehicles.Sturrock says that although the large car segment is down by 26,461 vehicles, it is still an important part of the market."It has reduced over time from what it was to where it is today," he says. "But it's still about 25 per cent of the passenger car market. You see very strong interest in the new Holden Commodore and the new Toyota Camry, there's been an excellent reaction."WHAT'S SELLINGToyota Yaris 18,368Hyundai Getz 13,863Holden Barina 9567Suzuki Swift 6703Honda Jazz 5936Kia Rio 5579Ford Fiesta 4407Mazda2 3934Hyundai Accent 3593Mitsubishi Colt 1516VW Polo 1337Peugoet 206 1071Citroen C3 486Proton Savvy 357smart fortwo 326Renault Clio 173Citroen C2 139smart forfour 132Fiat Punto 113Daihatsu Sirion 40Proton Satria 9Suzuki Ignis 1*Source: VFacts (light car sales 2006 to end August)Note: Yaris sales includes 304 Echo salesTHE CHEAPIESHolden Barina from $13,490Hyundai Getz from $13,990Proton Savvy from $13,990Toyota Yaris from $14,990Hyundai Accent from $15,990Mitsubishi Colt from $15,990Suzuki Swift from $15,990Ford Fiesta from $15,990Honda Jazz from $15,990Kia Rio from $15,990Mazda2 from $16,335Peugeot 206 from $16,990VW Polo from $16,990