The outside also features a front apron and rear trim panel that are grained and the side skirts boast a high-gloss black finish. Wheels consist of 15-inch 3-double-spoke alloy wheels in a brilliant black finish wrapped in 175/55 R 15 (front) and 195/50 R 15 (rear).

The inside gets contrast red double stitching on the black leather seats and instrument panel. The standard equipment includes the audio system basic and exclusive floor mats. The Smart ForTwo Sharpred is based on the passion line so that means you get a softouch automatic gear program, electric windows, air conditioning with automatic temperature control and a panoramic roof with sunblind. Electric power steering, heated seats, a lockable glove compartment, the smart sound system with five loudspeakers and the smart audio system navigation/multimedia.

Those interested can order the Smart ForTwo Sharpred now from their dealers and can expect delivery by May 2012. Only 1,800 units will be produced.

- By: Omar Rana

For the 2012 mode year, the Smart ForTwo gets a more dynamic look with a larger radiator grille and an integrated logo, new front aprons, horizontally arranged LED daytime driving lights, beefy side skirts and a modified rear apron. Also new for 2012, are two additional alloy wheels and a choice of colors with 7 options and a matte color for the first time.

“The way in which the fortwo now displays the smart logo more prominently stands for the brand’s new self-confidence,” notes smart boss Dr Annette Winkler.” The smart fortwo has long become an icon that is a defining feature of urban traffic throughout the world.”

The inside of the 2012 Smart ForTwo gets leather/fabric combinations black imitiation leather for the instrument panel and much more.

Last year 101,996 Smart ForTwos were delivered to customers, 4.6 percent more than 2010.

Here is an overview of the engine range:

Model type cc Output W/hp Maximum Torque l/10 km CO2 g/km 0-100 km/h (s) Top speed km/h
smart fortwo 40 kW cdi 799 40/54 130 Nm 3.3 (3.3) 86 (87) 16.8 135
smart fortwo 45 kW mhd* 999 45/61 89 Nm 4.2 (4.3) 97 (98) 16.8 145
smart fortwo 52 kW mhd 999 52/71 92 Nm 4.2 (4.3) 97 (98) 13.7 145
smart fortwo 62 kW 999 62/84 120 Nm 4.9 (4.9) 114 (115) 10.7 145
smart fortwo 75 kW
BRABUS 999 75/102 147 Nm 5.2 119 8.9 155
smart fortwo electric drive – 35 kW constant
55 kW peak 130 Nm – - < 13 > 120

- By: Omar Rana

Smart has been having a little bit of a tough time as of recent and in an effort to boost sales, Smart USA launched a $99-a-month lease campaign last week, versus the original lease rates of $159 to $169 per month.

All buyers need to do is shift over a $999 down payment and they will be able to drive off with a Smart car and hop around in it for a 36-month lease term…Not that I would want to personally.

But Mercedes-Benz owns Smart and after this past July, the Germany’s prestigious brass relieved the Penske Automotive Group from their obligation with Smart’s US distribution.

Smart USA’s general manager, Tracey Matura, also confirmed that Mercedes-Benz is making a hard effort to try and boost sales and revitalize the brand. Matura also added that hopefully, the new electric Smart car will help that.

- By: Chris Chin

Source: AutoNews

We’re pretty sure by now you’ve heard of the phrase ‘range-anxiety’ – its a term to define the anxiety caused when your electric car ‘distance to empty’ figure reads something below 5 miles.

Swiss firm Rinspeed is now trying to address the range anxiety issue with an innovative Dock+Go concept that it will show at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show.

The Smart ForTwo Electric Drive based concept comes with a detachable trailer, which Rinspeed calls a ‘backpack on wheels.’ The dock houses a combustion engine or a range extender that will be packed with batteries or powered by a fuel cell. The pack increases the overall range for the ForTwo Electric Drive.

Any battery packs can be recharged using solar panels on the roof.

- By: Omar Rana

There are a lot of women in this world that can drive – sometimes better than men, take Danica Patrick for example. However, there are also a lot of women in this world that can’t park for their lives.

While many of you have probably seen women with huge SUVs performing a horrible parking job, the woman in this video takes a horrible parking job to a whole new level.

Parking a Smart ForTwo really can’t be that hard!

Hit the jump to see what we’re talking about.

- By: Omar Rana

Smart is using the special edition to target younger buyers. Selecting WeSC is part of that motive, as the company was formed by skateboarders and snowboarders that wanted to incorporate their culture into apparel and footwear. The brand, who’s initials stand for We Are the Superlative Conspiracy, was formed back in 1999.

Brabus selected a palette that the WeSC team chose from, resulting in a gold paint scheme in both high gloss and matte finishes, quilted leather seats, and black wheels.

- By: Alexandra Koken

Source: Inside Line

Smart has been falling off the map slowly because the brand’s awareness has decreased significantly. But to reinvigorate the brand, a new team was appointed to run the company for Daimler AG and they feel that Americans are shunning the Smart ForTwo because very little knowledge is known about the car, especially since marketing hasn’t exactly been Smart’s strong suit as of recent.

“You very rarely get a second chance to make a first impression, but this is where we have a chance to do that,” said Tracey Matura, Smart USA’s new general manager. “We can put the full suite of our marketing efforts behind it, and that’s the good thing about having an organization like Mercedes-Benz USA behind [Smart]. They’re known for marketing. And marketing and advertising opportunities will be first and foremost.”

Click here for more news about the Smart ForTwo.

Penske Automotive Group was primarily in charge of running the brand before Mercedes-Benz’s parent Daimler AG had decided to take full control of Smart’s US last month, relieving Penske from the responsibility. Now, Smart USA really wants to take advantage of the marketing prowess that already preexists with the Mercedes-Benz brand, thanks to Daimler AG closing the ties with the brand

Either way, Daimler AG and the Smart brand have a long way to go to try and reinvigorate the brand. It would certainly be interesting to see how their efforts play out.

- By: Chris Chin

Source: AutoObserver

A new Smart car is out and it’s an EV! Called the ForTwo Electric Drive, the third-generation EV features an all-new powertrain that was developed by Deutsche Accumotive while the old model used a Tesla-built system.

“The smart fortwo has exceeded itself. It has always been a pioneer of urban mobility and with the new electric drive it is once again setting standards with even more driving fun and environmental compatibility,” says Dr. Annette Winkler, Head of smart. “With the new generation the frequently cited “electric era” has finally arrived.”

The new powertrain for the Smart ForTwo Electric Drive produces 74hp and goes from 0-60 in less than 13 seconds and onto a top speed of 75 mph. The new system also allows the Smart ForTwo to go up to 87 miles on one charge and replenishing takes less than one hour with its on-board charger on a European socket.

Prices have yet to be announced, but Smart says the ForTwo Electric Drive will debut at Frankfurt in September and will hit showrooms beginning in 2012.

- By: Chris Chin

Smart has been more or less remaining quiet for some time now. But that’s going to change right now! Because Smart, the same company that brought you the Smart FourTwo and the Smart Roadster, has a new rumor going around! What we have here is an some news of what the latest and greatest Smart Roadster replacement could look like.

Taking inspiration from this year’s ForSpeed concept revealed at this year’s Geneva Motor Show in March, the new Roadster will be sleeker than the previous, featuring less shadowline trim. But its headlight and front grill combination will make you think that it’s an albino ladybug that’s had its back sliced off.

But the unveiling of the new Roadster isn’t the entire buzz. Supposedly an insider source hinted something about a 4×4 competitor to the MINI Countryman is in the works. If this is true, then it would most likely be based on Mercedes-Benz’s new B-Class platform, who owns the Smart company. The rumored 4×4 will have five-doors like the Countryman and would be by far the largest model the company has ever produced.

Other word has it that due to a little mix-up with parent company Daimler, Smart may be working with Renault-Nissan for an alliance. It’s not certain, but if this does occur, the next ForTwo and generation-after-next Roadster will be built using the Renault Twingo as its backbone and may complicate things with this supposed Smart 4×4-MINI-Countryman-competitor thing. Either way, we will know for sure sometime in the future.

- By: Chris Chin

Source: AutoExpress

cars2go, a subsidiary of Daimler North America Corporation, has announced that San Diego will be the first North American city to get a 100 percent electric-vehicle carsharing program.

“We’re proud that car2go has chosen to launch the first North American all-electric carsharing service in San Diego,” said San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders. “car2go’s launch here further supports our efforts to make San Diego the nation’s electric vehicle capital.”

The program in San Diego will start operations before the end of this year with 300 Smart ForTwo electric drive vehicles.

“The launch of an all electric vehicle fleet marks a new era in carsharing in North America,” said Nicholas Cole, President and CEO of car2go N. A. LLC. “San Diego is a forward-thinking city determined to meet future transportation demands of its residents. Our goal is to complement the existing transportation infrastructure by providing an emission- free carsharing service for short and spontaneous one-way trips.”

The Smart ForTwo electric-cars come equipped with the car2go telematics technology, allowing fully automated, easy and convenient rental operations.

The program is currently available in four cities with more than 40,000 members and 1,000 Smart ForTwo cars.

- By: Omar Rana

Mercedes-benz USA announced today that it has appointed a dedicated team that will be responsible for the sales, marketing and distribution of Smart vehicles in the United States.

Mercedes-Benz decided to take over responsibility for sales of the Smart ForTwo coupes and cabriolets from Penske on July 1, 2011.

Heading up the Smart team as general manager will be Tracey Matura.

“Matura is responsible for the brand’s distribution, sales and marketing activities, reporting to Michael Slagter, vice president of sales for MBUSA,” Mercedes said in a statement. “She has worked for MBUSA for 16 years, predominantly in the legal and retail areas, most recently as general manager of strategic retail development where she was responsible for the MBUSA dealer network.”

Mercedes-Benz said  that it has sold over 47,000 Smarts in the United States to date.

- By: Omar Rana

When you here of the Smart brand, you never really think of high-performance. But when you here Brabus, a Mercedes-Benz focused tuner, working with Smart, you’re probably going to listen very carefully.

In 2003, Brabus put a twin-turbo V6 into the Smart Roadster. Following that, the two companies debuted their Smart-Brabus ForFour Race Concept powered by a 210-hp unit capable of pushing the car to a top speed of 149 mph.

Could it be the fastest smart on the planet?

Well, it seems like the duo are back for another concept model that will debut very soon.

Check out the latest teaser of another Smart Brabus mashup after the jump.

Smart ForTwo Electric Drive Discoball

“Harder, better, faster, stronger…” – the irony that I’m listening to Daft Punk as I write this…anyway. The Smart ForTwo Electric Drive Discoball made an appearance at the 2011 New York Auto Show yesterday.

The one-off model designed by Apparatjik for the new film Pixel City, will be displayed for public viewing for the duration of the auto show. But bring your sunglasses and radiation suits! This thing inflicts more burns than Lady Gaga at her performances.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I must get back to some Daft Punk.

Smart ForTwo Electric Drive Discoball:

All Photos Copyright © 2011 Nikolina Kostrevski – egmCarTech.

- By: Chris Chin

Smart Discoball

I’m sure a good amount of you will remember the disco years, because I sure as hell don’t…simply because I wasn’t even born yet. But don’t worry, disco has yet to find itself left in the pages of history permanently because, well, DISCO IS BACK BABY! *cue the John Travolta scene from Saturday Night Fever*

Ok, maybe not in the form of bellbottoms and afros that are so big that only the classic everyday American gargantuan sedans of the past were able to fit such a pronounced hairdo…but in the form of a Smart ForTwo Electric Drive. DISCO INFERNO!

The one-off electric Smart was designed to be inspired by the 1970s disco era and of course the famed Travolta film. Obviously, the NHTSA would not allow such a car to enter production simply because every time it would drive down your street, anyone who wasn’t already blind would lose their eyesight permanently. I nearly even lost my own by looking at the picture showcasing the ForTwo, which is accompanied by a group of individuals donning gas masks and shiny spacesuits…ish. And that might be a hard for those observers in Japan, particularly in light of the recent nuclear power plant disasters…Anyway…

But the glitzy fab version was designed by Apparatjik for the use in a new film featuring “world-famous musicians,” Pixel City.

So don’t cue up the BeeGees and cue up the Daft Punk!

Smart Discoball:

- By: Chris Chin

Source: InsideLine

Smart ForTwo Electric

Smart has officially entered the EV game, and in dramatic fashion, Smart USA executive and racing legend Roger Penske personally made the first delivery.  The car was delivered to Army Major Mindy Kimball, a big believer in the potential of EVs.  The body of the vehicle is the same as those already in production, but outfitted with batteries that can take the car up to 98 miles on a single charge.  In mixed driving, the government estimates a range of about 63 miles. Approximately 250 of the electric Smarts are available for grabs, but widespread distribution won’t be a reality until 2012.

Kimball chose the vehicle after considering other options, and will display her new purchase at the 2011 Washington Auto Show.  She is also a member of the Electric Vehicle Association.

“This is a groundbreaking day for Smart in the United States,” said Smart USA CEO Jill Lajdziak. “We are extremely excited to add the Smart ForTwo electric drive to the Smart product lineup, solidifying our position as a key player in transportation electrification.”

Smart ForTwo electric-drive:

- By: Stephen Calogera

Source: USAToday

Smart ForTwo Electric

Hertz Corporation and Smart USA announced today that they will bring the Smart ForTwo electric drive vehicles to Connect by Hertz car sharing program and Hertz Rent A Car locations in New York, Washington, DC, and San Francisco.

“Hertz’s partnership with smart USA is another strategic element of our long term plan to provide consumers with electric vehicle access on a global scale,” said Mark P. Frissora, Hertz Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “With its worldwide recognition, smart was a logical choice for our program and we’re excited to begin offering the smart electric drive to our customers later this month.”

The Smar ForTwo electric drive will be available for rent through Connect by Hertz car sharing in New York City beginning December 15. smart USA is strategically deploying a fleet of 2011 smart fortwo electric drive vehicles across the United States.

Smart ForTwo electric-drive:

Press Release:

Hertz Global EV and smart USA Partner to Offer smart fortwo Electric Drive for Consumer Use

smart’s Electric Car to Join Hertz’s EV FleetPARK RIDGE, NJ — (MARKET WIRE) —

12/06/2010 — The Hertz Corporation (NYSE: HTZ) and smart USA, a subsidiary of Penske Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE: PAG), today announced a joint partnership to bring smart fortwo electric drive vehicles to Connect by Hertz car sharing and Hertz Rent A Car locations in New York, Washington, DC, and San Francisco. The vehicle placements are part of the Hertz Global EV program, which will offer a variety of 100 percent electric and plug-in hybrids to car sharing and rental customers worldwide. The smart fortwo electric drive will be available for rent through Connect by Hertz car sharing in New York City beginning December 15.

“The smart fortwo electric drive is the ultimate statement on conservation, from materials to space to natural resources, and further defines the independent spirit of smart,” said Jill Lajdziak, president of smart USA. “We are thrilled to place vehicles with Hertz and offer consumers the opportunity to experience the joy of driving a smart fortwo while showcasing the benefits of electric technology.”

As announced in September, Hertz Global EV is championing an electric and plug-in hybrid vehicle mobility ecosystem, incorporating transportation options and a charging station grid for ease of use. Hertz Global EV will be the first company to provide a range of all-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles and charging stations on a car sharing and rental basis at global scale. The smart fortwo electric drive joins EVs from other manufacturers as part of Hertz Global EV’s diverse fleet. The smart fortwo electric drive vehicle is engineered to package advanced technology while maintaining the car’s design history. It is powered by a 30 kW drive magneto-electric motor and 16.5 kWh lithium-ion battery. Using a 220V outlet, it takes only three and a half hours to charge the battery from 20 to 80 percent of its capacity and less than eight hours to fully charge it.

Hertz is uniquely positioned to introduce multiple groups of consumers — urban drivers, university students, travelers and corporations — to all-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. As part of its Global EV strategy, Hertz is forming partnerships with manufacturers, charging station providers, municipalities, NGO’s, corporations and other stakeholders. To-date, the company has ordered vehicles from CODA, Nissan, and smart USA, and has signed an agreement with NRG Energy Inc. to support development of a charging infrastructure and services for electric vehicles (EV) in Texas.

smart USA is strategically deploying a fleet of 2011 smart fortwo electric drive vehicles across the United States. Vehicle placement is nationwide, targeting early adopters of electric drive technology who are helping define new alternatives in transportation for the United States and interested in making a passionate statement on conservation and environmental awareness. Series production begins in 2012 for sale through smart USA’s dealer network.

During the next several months, Hertz Global EV will leverage the company’s car sharing and rental locations as bases for vehicles and charging stations, and tap into its technology — including sophisticated fleet management tools and the consumer-facing NeverLost GPS system — to help form an EV grid.

For more information on Hertz Global EV, visit www.hertz.com. For more information on smart USA and the smart fortwo electric drive, visit www.smartusa.com.

- By: Omar Rana

Smart ForTwo Electric

Just yesterday, we reported on news coming out of Germany that Smart is likely to sell fewer than 100,000 units in 2010, down from 114,000 in 2009. Most of that loss is coming form United States where sales are down close to 70 percent to just under 4,000 in the first 7 months of 2010.

Well, Smart is about to amp itself up to appeal to a larger market. The company is working on a ForTwo Electric that it will build with Tesla Motors. The ForTwo Electric will be powered by a battery system designed by Tesla and will be available for lease in eight U.S. markets as early as October. The 250 cars will have a five-year, $599 monthly lease. Only 50 will be leased to individuals.

The Smart ForFour that was killed in 2006 may also be resurrected. It will be built on a longer version of the ForTwo platform and is expected to be built by Renault alongside the Twingo. Sales may start in 2014.

Smart ForTwo electric-drive:

- By: Stephen Calogera

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

2011 Smart ForTwo

If you’ve noticed fewer Smart ForTwos on the roads, it’s because demand for the two-seater minicar has been falling in the United States. According to German Magazine Der Spiegel, demand for the Smart ForTwo is so low, that the brand is likely to sell fewer than 100,000 units of the subcompact globally in 2010, down from 114,000 in 2009.

The reports say that dealers complain they are losing customers because the Smart ForTwo only has two seats and two model variation including a coupe and a convertible. The magazine said that in Europe, the Fiat 500 is stealing potential Smart buyers.

According to sales numbers from Daimler, U.S. sales for Smart is down close to 70 percent to just under 4,000 in the first 7 months. July sales totaled 560 units, down 60.5 percent when compared to July 2009. Globally sales are down just over 20 percent to 8,400 in July with volume down 17.4 percent to 59,100 in the first seven months of 2010.

Daimler’s sales and marketing head, Joachim Schmidt says that sales should pickup once the facelifted Smart ForTwo hits dealers.

2011 Smart ForTwo:

- By: Stephen Calogera

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)