A smarter 2nd Generation Smart

Six years after the original Smart City-Coupe was launched (later renamed the fortwo), the subsidiary of Mercedes-Benz launches a new 2nd generation model. Almost 20cm longer than the 600cc original, the new 2-seater fortwo gets a 1.0-litre engine mated to a 5-speed semi-automatic transmission. More spacious than before, the new Smart has been designed to comply with US crash test regulations, and there are grand plans to launch the brand there. All the Smart innovations such as its tridion structure, changeable polycarbonate panels, and rear engines remain, but the cabin loses its S-shaped wave, and becomes more conventional – the driver and passenger sit next to each other instead of the driver slightly ahead of the passenger. They also remain very economical, making use of just 5 litres to cover 100km. There will also be a more economical version in which the engine stops at traffic lights, and starts up again automatically when the accelerator is pressed. The new fortwo has been designed to be converted to run on natural gas or to be fully electric if the demand for these alternatives increases. With greater production numbers (and hopefully better pricing because of greater economies of scale), and a more buzz around about the brand from the US, there is still hope that this innovative car may make it to Singapore. In Singapore, the two Smarts should be allowed to share a single COE since the footprint of the car is half that of a normal car. When DaimlerChrysler brought in several Smart Fortwos for market research, two smarts could actually park in a single parking space. Catch some of the funky videos of this brand at : http://www.smartusa.com/index.html