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The new smart fortwo has arrived: The smart fortwo coupé and smart fortwo cabrio have been unveiled to more than 550 international journalists in Stuttgart for the very first time. The location was unusual, but nonetheless very fitting for the smart fortwo: in the middle of the city, on the roof of a multi-storey car park.

In addition, there were presentations on comfort, agility, safety and environmental friendliness. After all, the new smart fortwo can do everything that its predecessor can do – but even better. This means that the new smart fortwo is even more comfortable, even more agile, even safer and even more environmentally friendly than its predecessor.

Comfort: The smart fortwo is fun to drive

The comfort of a car depends on more than just its seats. Nonetheless, the seats have been further improved in the new smart fortwo. Enjoyable motoring largely depends on whether a car is fun to drive.

The smart fortwo has always offered lots of driving pleasure and the new smart fortwo will be even more fun to drive. The smart vehicle concept is highly practical - especially for people who live in cities or urban areas. On most journeys a car carries just a single occupant, and people can make faster progress through the city in a smart fortwo. And because they don't have to search for a parking space, they find one right away.

Agility: New engines and transmissions

The new petrol engines pack a far more powerful punch: The three cylinder engine has a one litre capacity and comes in ratings of 45 kW, 52 kW or 62 kW (61 bhp, 71 bhp or 84 bhp).

All engines are linked to an automated manual five-speed transmission that has also been reengineered. The new developments with this transmission allow for a more refined driving experience.

The petrol variants now have a maximum speed of 145 km/h – 10 km/h more than the predecessor model.

Safety: Maximum occupant protection

The high level of passive safety has been further improved. As the new smart fortwo will be sold in the USA from 2008, it also complies with the strict American crash regulations (NHTSA) as well as the high standards of the Mercedes Car Group.

Likewise, new regulations concerning pedestrian protection have been implemented in the front section. Furthermore, new head/thorax side airbags, which offer extensive protection in the event of a side crash, are available.

Environmental friendliness: Exceedingly low consumption

Despite the greater engine power, the standard consumption of the petrol variants is still less than 5.0 litres per 100 kilometres.

Low carbon dioxide emissions, as in the previous model, means the new smart fortwo boasts the lowest emissions in its class.

Still smart – inside and out

The new smart fortwo is 19.5 centimetres longer than the previous model, which improves pedestrian safety, rear impact protection and improves ride comfort.

The luggage compartment now can hold 220 litres (an increase of 70 litres over the previous model) – and when loaded to the roof there is now space for up to 340 litres (an increase of 80 litres over the previous model). The new smart fortwo also features the familiar twin-section tailgate. The lower section can be used as a little platform to assist in loading and unloading luggage.

Like the exterior, it goes without saying that the interior of the smart fortwo remains truly smart. Typical smart characteristics include the external-mounted air vents and additional dials, the large, fabric-covered areas on doors and instrument panel, the safety seats with integral seat belts and last but not least the ignition lock behind the shift lever.

smart fortwo cabrio with an electric soft top

The smart fortwo cabrio's electric soft top further enhances passenger comfort. It is now fully automatic and can be adjusted to an infinite number of positions. This means that the rear section of the roof can now be opened to the final position, and closed again at the touch of a button.

This unique design means the smart fortwo doesn't have to be stationary to adjust the roof – the soft top can be opened and closed at any driving speed. Furthermore, the roof bars can be removed and stowed in a special compartment in the tailgate. The soft top offers further added comfort and safety with the addition of an all new heated glass rear windscreen.

Extensive range of standard equipment and options

Standard safety features in the new smart fortwo include the tridion safety cell, front airbags, seat belts with belt tensioners and belt-force limiters and safety seats with integral seat belts. Further standard safety features unique to vehicles in this class include esp®, abs and integrated brake assist.

Also standard are H7 headlights featuring projection technology, central locking with radio remote control, adjustable driver and passenger seat backrests, an exterior temperature indicator, air conditioning comfort windscreen wipers with speed-sensitive interval wiping and indicators with lanechanger function.

The smart fortwo can also be individualised and tailored to customer requirements with a wide range of extras. These include head/thorax side airbags, electric power steering, heated seats, alloy wheels (standard for pulse and passion), leather seats, a high quality audio system with an in-dash CD changer for 6 CDs and a sound system featuring a subwoofer and an MP3 interface.

Furthermore, an integrated portable navigation system is available with voice instructions that are given via the loudspeakers of the stereo system. This lightweight system can be removed from the new smart fortwo for use outside the vehicle. Further options that are often only found in high-end cars include a light and rain sensor and electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors.

Hambach: exemplary modular production and protection of the environment

The smart fortwo is produced in the French town of Hambach. System partners on site deliver pre-assembled modules straight to the production line. The production process has been streamlined and production time reduced from 9.5 hours to only 8 hours. The entire final assembly of the new smart fortwo, which only took 4.5 hours for the predecessor model, now takes just 3.5 hours.

Great importance is given to protection of the environment in Hambach. Only water-soluble, solvent-free base coats are used for the smart fortwo's plastic bodypanels.

The tridion safety cell is powder coated with no solvents used here, either. The solid colour bodypanels in black, white and yellow are also fully recyclable.