← Smart Product Lineup Expansion
Smart issued the following press releases:
Unmistakable features for every member of the smart product family
In 1998 the smart city-coup’ created a new class of car with a new concept and ultra-compact dimensions. The smart brand thus became established as a synonym for a short, two-and-a-half-metre car with room for two persons. All series-produced cars manufactured under the smart brand name until now – the smart city-coup’, the smart cabrio and the smart crossblade – have this conspicuous feature.
With the launch of smart roadster and the smart roadster-coup’ which will be delivered to the first customers in April, it is becoming increasingly important to distinguish between the company and the products. Even though the two new roadster versions with a length of 3.43 metres break with the most obvious characteristic of ’a smart’, they clearly conform with all the core features of a car made by smart. smart consistently implements the core values of the brand in all areas of its activities: Joie de vivre, functionality and innovation characterise the smart roadster and smart roadster-coup’, just as they do the smart city-coup’, smart cabrio and smart crossblade.
The incorporation of the smart brand values in all the products is based on the five main pillars: The Tridion safety cell, the two-materials concept, modular concept, innovative design and joie de vivre.
The unusual and independent safety concept of the Tridion safety cell is an unmistakable feature of the smart product identity .
Secondly, the two-material and two-colours concept linked with this, whereby the exterior is characterised by the combination of the steel Tridion safety cell in black or silver and the coloured bodypanels made of high-quality plastic. — Smart Roadster's intensive open-air motoring experience.
Thirdly, the modular construction that not only offers distinct advantages as far as the production is concerned, but also easy servicing and maintenance for the customer.
Fourthly, the innovative design offering an ergonomic interior with a feeling of spaciousness, yet compact dimensions. As with the smart city-coup’ and the smart cabrio, the designers have also created an unmistakably dynamic and original form for the smart roadster and smart roadster-coup’. Here, too, just as for the exterior, various materials are utilised, giving the car its unmistakable identity as a smart.
And fifthly, the unmistakable driving pleasure and joie de vivre, that is not only conveyed by the smart city-coup’, smart cabrio and smart crossblade, but – designed for a different environment – even more intensively by the smart roadster and smart roadster-coup’.
All these criteria will also be incorporated in the four-seater smart. In addition they are decisive for all other developments from smart. A smart becomes a smart once all these criteria have been implemented; it is not the length of the car that characterises the brand.
In order to clearly distinguish and identify the smart models a new naming strategy has been developed parallel to the development of the four-seater smart. This naming strategy will be applied for the first time to the four-seater smart that is to be called the smart forfour. In the future, all the other smart cars will be given names that follow this pattern. — smart fortwo transformation from city-coupé.
smart city-coup’ and smart cabrio in model year 2003
With the model refinement for the year 2003, smart gmbh is presenting the 2nd generation of the smart city-coup’ and smart cabrio. The new features make the two smart models even more comfortable, safe and dynamic. Boasting an extensive range of additional standard and optional equipment, the smart city-coup’ and smart cabrio represent an unrivalled, pioneering force in their segment in terms of drive technology, safety engineering and comfort. The technology offered to smart customers at no extra cost is only to be found as standard equipment in higher vehicle classes. The 2nd generation vehicles are now available and can be ordered from smart Centres.
The 2nd generation smart city-coup’ and smart cabrio come with the Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) as a standard feature. No other vehicle in the micro-compact segment offers this system as standard. ESP takes over the functions of TRUST PLUS as well as making use of selective brake intervention to stabilise the vehicle. Furthermore, ESP includes further features which enhance the comfort and safety of the vehicle, such as Hill Start Assist, Brake Assist and Acceleration Skid Control. The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), which includes Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD), is integrated in ESP. Among the additional advantages offered by ESP are a softer suspension and more spring travel than previously available.
New generation of engines with more power in line with exhaust gas standard EU4
The new engines powering the 2nd generation smart city-coup’ and smart cabrio offer increased engine capacity, performance and torque. The engine capacity of the redesigned three-cylinder turbo engine has been increased from 599 cc to 698 cc. As well as this, the new petrol engines will be available in two power ratings in future: 37 kW (50 bhp) and 45 kW (61 bhp), compared to the engines of the predecessor models, which had 33 kW (44 bhp) and 40 kW (54 bhp) respectively. Furthermore, the familiar cdi diesel engine with 30 kW (40 bhp) will continue to be available. The new generation of petrol engines has been designed to comply with exhaust gas standard EU4, meaning that the vehicles are exempt from tax in Germany until 31.12.2005.
In order to further enhance driving comfort and active safety in automatic mode (SOFTOUCH) a kickdown function has been developed, making it possible to change down one or two gears on the spur of the moment using the accelerator pedal. The gear change sequences and gear ratios have been optimised in line with the responsive engine, meaning that higher speeds can be attained in the individual gears and making the power development noticeably smoother. — smart forfour's new standards in small car segment.
’Customers will be able to enjoy a whole new driving experience with the 2nd generation smart city-coup’ and smart cabrio’, says Philipp Schiemer, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at smart gmbh. ’We have focused on the `inner values’ of the vehicles and have succeeded in further improving a product which was truly exceptional in the first place.’
With the second generation, the BRABUS versions developed by the joint venture company smart-BRABUS GmbH will also be presented. The smart city-coup’ BRABUS and smart cabrio BRABUS round off the top end of the range and meet the highest customer demands in terms of exclusivity, individuality, innovation and dynamism. Both BRABUS versions are available with a 55 kW (74 bhp) engine, which allows a maximum speed of 150 km/h, as opposed to 135 km/h in the case of the standard vehicles.
New optional equipment available
Electric power steering is available as an option for the 2nd generation smart city-coup’ and smart cabrio models. The system was developed jointly for the smart city-coup’/cabrio and smart roadster/roadster-coup’ models, thus fulfilling smart customers’ wishes for maximum steering comfort.
The new model year also sees the introduction of an optional leather three-spoke sports steering wheel for the ’pulse’ and ’passion’ design and equipment lines, with rocker switches on the steering wheel for sporty shifting of the sequential transmission. The travelling speed of the vehicle can be regulated or limited automatically via a cruise control with speed limiter (available as of April 2003). The new ’strikeline’ alloy rims with wide tyres, measuring 175/55R15 (front) and 195/50R15 (rear), give the smart models enhanced braking performance on dry roads as well as a sporty appearance.
