The developers have set even higher standards for the new Smart Fortwo. The optimised running gear, the longer wheelbase and the slightly larger body make the Smart Fortwo even more comfortable. The active and passive safety have been further improved. The new drive engineering provides for even more agility and driving fun and also gives the new Smart Fortwo a top position worldwide in terms of environmental friendliness.

Evolutionary design: the evolution of an icon
The carefully developed design gives the Smart Fortwo a fresh appearance. Yet it retains its unmistakable 'character' and will always be recognised at first glance. Its one-box design, its compact dimensions, the two-colour and two-material concept with the striking tridion safety cell and the innovative and extremely practical plastic body panels – all these features remain.

In future, too, the new Smart Fortwo will embody the brand's core values of innovation, functionality and joie de vivre. It is a classless car that conveys a positive attitude to life. Its owners have a modern way of thinking and show social and environmental responsibility, demonstrating the form that perfect urban mobility can take today. For them the Smart Fortwo is a kind of automotive declaration of independence to the effect that this is all the car a person needs in a big city.

No other car has a younger clientele. Globally, 85 percent of buyers are under 40. They are people with individual lifestyles from different social classes. They all drive a Smart. Apart from being extremely economical, lively and easy to drive, with its length of less than three metres this vehicle also takes up very little space on the road and in car parks. The Smart Fortwo has become a familiar part of the 'roadscape' in many large cities, it is now sold in 36 countries worldwide. More than 770,000 first generation Smart Fortwos have been built since 1998.

Engines: powerful, clean, economical
The Smart Fortwo comes equipped with a choice of two up-rated petrol engines. The three cylinder Mitsubishi motor has capacity of one litre and is available in both non-turbo (52 kW) and turbo form (62kW).

All engines are linked to a new automated manual five-speed transmission from Getrag. The petrol variants now have a maximum speed of 145 km/h - 10 km/h more than the previous model.

Despite the greater engine power, both engines consume only a small amount of fuel in their combined city/country driving cycles, specifically 4.7 litres per 100 kilometres with the 52 kW engine and only 4.9 litres with the turbo 62 kW power plant.

Carbon dioxide emissions are also low. All models emit only 116 grammes of CO2 per kilometre, with exception of the 52 kW Fortwo coupe, which produces only 112 grammes.

Still Smart – inside and out
The dimensions have increased compared to the first generation Smart Fortwo. The 19.5 centimetre increase in length benefits pedestrians, rear impact protection and especially ride comfort.

The luggage compartment can now hold 220 litres – 70 litres more than before – and when loaded to the roof there is space for up to 340 litres (an extra 80 litres). The new Smart Fortwo also features the familiar twin-section tailgate. The lower part can be used as a little platform, facilitating loading and unloading. When folded down it can take a load of 50 kilogrammes.

Like the exterior, it goes without saying that the interior of the Smart Fortwo remains truly Smart. Features include the characteristic external-mounted air vents and, inside, the 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.

The observer immediately notices that the instrument panel is no longer curved in an S-shape towards the passenger side but is now straight. This is partly to comply with US crash regulations. Nevertheless – and perhaps because of this – the new Smart Fortwo offers a unique feeling of spaciousness.

Safety at the highest level
The high level of passive safety has been further improved. The new Smart Fortwo has been subjected to extensive tests. These not only include the requirements of EuroNCAP; as the new Smart Fortwo is now on sale in the USA for the first time it also complies with American crash regulations. As well as this, the extremely strict standards of the Mercedes-Benz Car division apply to the Smart.

New regulations concerning pedestrian protection have been implemented in the front section. Furthermore, new head/thorax side airbags offering extensive protection in the event of a side crash and are fitted as standard equipment in the all-new Smart Fortwo (both coupé and cabrio).

Smart Fortwo cabrio with an electric soft top
The Smart Fortwo cabrio's electric soft top is a further example of the enhanced comfort. It can now be fully automatically operated and infinitely adjusted to any position. This means that the rear part, too, can be opened to the final position and closed again at the touch of a button.

Unique: the Smart Fortwo does not have to be stationary for the soft top to be opened or closed – this can be done at any 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 thanks to the heated rear window made of glass.

Extensive range of standard equipment and options
The most important standard features include:

• the tridion safety cell
• full-size driver and front passenger airbags
• head/thorax side airbags
• seat belts with belt tensioners and belt-force limiters
• Mercedes-Benz ESP® (electronic stability programme) with hill start assist
• ABS anti-lock braking with electronic brakeforce distribution
• hydraulic brake assist system
• safety seats with integral seat belts
• panoramic glass sunroof with integrated sunblind (coupé only)
• electric tritop fabric soft top (fully automatic) glass rear window and headlining (cabrio only)
• removable roof bars with special storage compartment in tailgate (cabrio only)
• leather sports steering wheel with integrated gearshift paddles
• air-conditioning with automatic temperature control
• electric windows
• central locking with remote control and immobiliser
• dashboard-mounted instruments

Further excerpts from the long list of standard equipment: H7 headlights featuring projection technology, folding driver and passenger seat backrests, exterior temperature indicator, comfort windscreen wipers with speed-sensitive interval wiping and indicators with lane changer function.

The Smart Fortwo can be individualised and tailored to customer requirements with a wide range of extras. These include electric power steering, heated seats, leather seats, a high quality audio system with a CD changer for 6 CDs and a sound system featuring a subwoofer and an MP3 interface.

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 optimised and the production time for this all-new Smart Fortwo has been reduced to 8 hours, down from 9.5 hours. The whole final assembly, 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. For example, only water-soluble, solvent-free base coats are used for the Smart Fortwo's plastic body panels. The tridion safety cell is powder coated and no solvents are needed here, either. The solid colour body panels in the colours black, white and yellow are fully recyclable.

Australian models and pricing
Australian customers can choose from two petrol engines (52 kW non-turbo and 62 kW turbo) and two body styles (coupé and cabrio). The Pulse model line is the standard model line for Australia. Pricing for each model is detailed below: