The new limited special edition smart fortwo nightorange combines bright orange with elegant black. The striking two-seater can be ordered now. Customers can choose between three variants: two petrol versions and a diesel version and a coupé or cabrio body.
Colour psychologists regard orange as active, confident and trendy, whilst black is seen as resolute, elegant and strong-minded. The limited special edition fortwo nightorange is an exciting mix of both colours and is bursting with urban chic. The most striking feature of the exterior is the exclusive orange metallic finish combined with a black tridion safety cell and black 3-double-spoke alloy wheels fitted with tyres in size 175/55 R15 at the front and 195/50 R15 at the rear. The special edition also features black painted headlamp trims, black mirror caps and nightorange logos in the mirror triangles. The smart fortwo nightorange cabrio has a black soft top.
The interior takes up the colour concept of the body with a design that is both sporty and chic: the black seats in a mix of leather and fabric have an orange sport stripe in the middle, as does the knee pad in leather look. They provide a dramatic contrast to the black door trim and black instrument panel. Contrast components such as the instrument trims are painted in pearl black. The 3-spoke sports steering wheel with steering wheel gearshift and the gear knob are covered with black nappa leather. The audio system basic (RDS radio with AUX/USB interfaces and two loudspeakers) is already on board as a standard feature of the smart fortwo nightorange, as are dashboard instruments (cockpit clock and rev counter).
The new smart fortwo nightorange is based on the passion coupé and passion cabrio. Among other features the passion equipment line comes with softouch automatic gear programme, electric windows, air conditioning with automatic temperature control, and a transparent panoramic roof with sunblind. Options include electric power steering, heated seats, a lockable glove compartment, the smart surround sound system with six loudspeakers or the audio system navigation / multimedia with touchscreen display.
The fortwo nightorange can be ordered with a 52 kW (71 hp) petrol engine with micro hybrid drive technology, a 62 kW (84 hp) petrol engine or a 40 kW (54 hp) diesel engine equipped with a diesel particulate filter.
smart pulse to get a stronger profile from April 2011- Sharper contours
The smart pulse is celebrating spring with a sharper profile, making this dynamic variant of the smart model series even sportier. The front and rear aprons and the side skirts of the bodypanel plus sports package, which is included in the standard spec, have a new design with sharper contours. The sharper smart pulse will be available from smart dealers from April 2011. Orders commenced on 1 February.
The pulse is the dynamic smart with a distinct sporty flair that will be even more pronounced in future. This is due to the more angular geometry of the new skirts that are painted in the bodypanel colour as standard. Boasting 3-double-spoke alloy wheels with wide tyres measuring 175/55 R 15 at the front and 195/50 R 15 at the rear, and door mirror caps and radiator grille in black, the smart pulse, which is available as a coupé and a cabrio, leaves no doubt as to its position among its siblings with its compact and dynamic design promising sporty motoring both in and out of town. The most powerful engine – the optionally available turbo petrol engine rated at 62 kW (84 hp) – is ideal for this.
The smart pulse also boasts a sporty interior. It comes with a 3-spoke leather sports steering wheel with additional shift paddles which make shifting with manual softip gearshift a real pleasure. The black fabric/ leather look of the upholstery and the pearl black contrast components underline the dynamic appearance.
The fortwo pulse can be ordered as a coupé or a cabrio with the following three engine versions:
- 52 kW (71 hp) petrol mhd with micro hybrid drive technology
- 62 kW (84 hp) turbo petrol engine
- 40 kW(54 hp) diesel fitted with a diesel particulate filter as standard.
Hearing is believing: smart personal sounds
This smart fortwo has a truly unique voice. Showcasing its smart personal sounds concept car, smart is demonstrating how fortwo drivers can use sounds to personalise their vehicles even further. For example, when drivers apply the handbrake or operate the windscreen wipers, they will hear a sound that they personally selected. As with mobile phone ring tones, customers could download these sounds online and install them in their smart fortwo.
Even now there are barely two smarts that look exactly alike. But for an even greater degree of individualisation, drivers of the popular smart cars may be able to choose personal sounds as well in future: the smart personal sounds concept produces individual sounds in response to specific driver actions. These small MP3 sound files are freely programmable and interchangeable. For example, having had the doors open to the sounds of a Doors guitar riff, a driver might decide that he or she would like to be greeted by Joe Cocker’s guttural growl in future. In the same way, for instance, an independent sound profile could be created for the light switches, indicators or heated rear windows. It is conceivable that these sounds could be available for downloading online in the same way as mobile phone ring tones are.
The technical implementation for the concept car is based on the fact that many of the actions performed by the driver and the vehicle activate signals in the internal vehicle communication system. With smart personal sounds, a predefined selection of these signals will be read out and linked with the sound files via special software. When an action is performed, the allocated sound is sent to the smart fortwo’s audio unit and can be heard via the vehicle’s loudspeakers.
The original idea for smart personal sounds came from the young employees in the CAReer trainee program, who were given the task of describing and developing an innovative business idea. CAReer is Daimler’s group-wide programme aimed at providing practical experience for university graduates and career newcomers. It prepares participants for later specialisations and for possible managerial functions.
smart forspeed: zero emissions, great fun to drive and a cool design
The forspeed combines contemporary urban mobility with the fun factor typical of smart. The two-seater has no roof or side windows and it features a low wind deflector instead of a windscreen in the style of a classic propeller aircraft. The result is an incomparable fresh air driving experience. The responsive electric drive that has been further developed and features a boost function also guarantees driving pleasure. A look forward at the next generation is particularly exciting as the era of electric mobility has already started at smart.
No roof, minimal windows and a responsive and zero-emission electric drive at the rear: the smart forspeed combines responsibility and emotional appeal in a new and pleasurable way. Dr. Annette Winkler, Head of smart says “The smart forspeed is a completely new take on how much fun it is to drive electric: it boasts a superb design with a powerful drive system and, needless to say, locally emission-free. And if you put the smart forspeed next to our ebike, escooter and smart fortwo electric drive you’ll see that smart has realised all kinds of variations of electric driving – demonstrating that smart is not just a practical city car, but a great idea.” The smart forspeed boasts an extremely innovative and self-assured design. Prof. Dr. h. c. Gorden Wagener, Head of Design says “The smart brand has always taken an unconventional approach with bold design. The forspeed now carries purist sportiness to extremes and in terms of form it is also a pioneer for a new paradigm of mobility.”
Powerful and environmentally friendly electric drive with an extra boost
smart is a pioneer in modern electric mobility. The second generation smart fortwo electric drive has been delivered to customers since the end of 2009. It is been proving its suitability for everyday use in 18 countries including Germany, Italy, Spain, England, France, Switzerland, the USA, Canada and further countries in Asia. Due to the high demand production figures have been increased to 1500 vehicles. Thanks to this experience smart has already collected extensive customer feedback that has been integrated in the development of the smart forspeed’s electric drive. With its improved performance and charge management the concept vehicle offers a look at the performance potential of future generations of the electric smart.
For example, the smart forspeed accelerates from 0 to 60 km/h in just 5.5 seconds and reaches a top speed of 120 km/h. A 30 kW magneto-electric motor is installed at the rear of the smart forspeed and the vehicle concept provides an immediate powerful response from stationary. Pressing a button in the centre console activates a boost function which provides an extra 5 kW of power for a short time and is ideal for overtaking manoeuvres on urban highways, for example. The smart forspeed is powered by a lithium-ion battery that delivers 16.5 kWh of electrical energy. It is simple to charge at any conventional 220 Volt socket. The charging device is located in the third brake light behind the smart logo and features a simple push/push opening mechanism. A fully charged battery is sufficient for 135 kilometres of driving fun (NEDC). Quick charging from 0 to 80 percent takes just 45 minutes.
The forspeed developers have integrated a further clever way of charging in the wind deflector: photovoltaic cells feed solar power to the on-board electrical system. As with the smart escooter this lengthens the battery life of the smartphone, for example.
Unconventional exterior
With its high-gloss white metallic paintwork the smart forspeed also builds a bridge to the two-wheel escooter and ebike studies that were presented at the Paris Motor Show.
The front and rear lamps have a very striking design. The outer rings are illuminated by a large number of rod-shaped LEDs whilst the centre of the lamps is white. The indicators seem to push outwards like arrows – like drops on the cockpit window of an aeroplane as it takes off. In the front and rear bumpers numerous holes with a honeycomb structure serve as air inlets and create an interesting progressive pattern. At the same time this pattern gives the forspeed a particularly wide appearance and a powerful road stance. The smart forspeed is fitted with front tyres in size 205/35 R 18 to match its dynamic look. On the driven rear axle the tyres measure 235/30 R 18 for full grip.
Purist and sporty interior
The exterior and interior of the smart forspeed are designed as a formal unit. This is manifested in numerous details: the tridion safety cell flows from the outside behind the roll-over bars towards the front to the cockpit and forms the centre tunnel as a load-bearing part. The outer and inner door sections connect seamlessly to form a single component, just like the floor and side walls. The leather seats also have a one-shell design and are a modern interpretation of purist sportiness.
The air inlet in the wind deflector ends in the central outlet in the centre console and can provide even more fresh air for the interior when needed.
The high-gloss white of the exterior paintwork also dominates in the interior. It is accentuated by green elements such as the sporty four-point seat belts for driver and passenger or the large horizontal shelf under the cockpit that provides stowage space. All the control elements that the driver uses particularly frequently, such as the gear lever, door openers or steering wheel come in natural brown leather. By contrast, load-bearing structural components such as the tridion safety cell or the curved trims on the instrument hoods are in matt platinum silver. Functional elements such as the steering wheel buttons and the shift lever with gate are painted in silver shadow.
The open two-seater has been deliberately designed without an outer door handle – an interior grip is all that is needed to open the door. The control for the electric parking brake is particularly convenient to operate and also has a simple and functional design: the switch on the centre tunnel is reminiscent of the lever used to pull in the landing gear of aircraft.
There is a block with ten LEDs in the middle of the instrument panel. When the forspeed is started the LEDs shine through the translucent paint and show the battery charge status of the electric smart. When switched off nothing is seen of the charge indicator except its outline.
Weatherproof thanks to tonneau cover and coating
The whole interior of the smart forspeed can be protected against rain and sun when necessary with a tonneau cover. It is an easy matter to stretch it over the interior and fasten it to the body with the straps. It can be divided in the middle with the help of a zip to free the driver’s seat only, for example.
But even without weather protection a downpour will not lead to any serious problems. Water drainage channels in the vehicle floor ensure that water is channelled outside. The seat surfaces also have water drainage channels and all interior equipment has a waterproof coating for fun behind the wheel regardless of the weather.
Smartphone as a communication centre
The purist sportiness of the interior is also reminiscent of classic aircraft construction: the driver and co-pilot sit in front of two separate round turbine-like instrument clusters. Whilst the driver has the speedometer firmly in his field of vision, the passenger is responsible for communication and navigation: this area of the cockpit features a smartphone. It can be swivelled by up to 90 degrees in its holder and towards the driver so that the driver can also take a look at the display of the navigation system.
As in the production models from smart, the smart drive app for the iPhone® has all the important features needed whilst driving: phone calls via hands-free system, navigation with a special smart touch and a Car Finder that guides the driver back to the parked car.
Intelligent lightweight design, optimised aerodynamics and state-of-the-art LED technology
With its body made of glass fibre-reinforced plastic the smart forspeed is a real lightweight. The low power-to-weight ratio is conducive to driving pleasure. Moreover, the dynamic two-seater boasts excellent aerodynamics: round, taut forms, a deliberate lack of joints (for example on the single-piece front module), smooth, handleless surfaces on the doors and rear lid and the design of many details based on aircraft construction reduce aerodynamic resistance.
State-of-the-art LED lighting technology contributes to active safety. Furthermore, it is controlled intelligently: daytime running lamps are automatically activated during the daytime. The Citylight system also senses when the forspeed driver turns night into day: photoelectric sensors monitor the brightness and give the command to automatically switch on the low-beam headlamps when necessary.
