Do you guys know how crazy people get when a US government organization describes a sighted aircraft as a "confirmed UFO"? It only means they can't identify the aircraft, but people just go crazy at the "what if" thought of aliens. Our sighting caused similar hysteria around the office, especially since we didn't when smart was going to show this car, if at all.
The replacement for the smart fortwo is no longer a Mitsubishi Colt in disguise. This very first test prototype wearing a production body hints at a very similar setup to the new Renault Twingo, with five doors, the engine in the back and a cute and very diminutive body shell.
The first generation smart forfour was 3,750mm from bumper to bumper, being essentially the size of a supermini at that time. However, this new model will be more like 3,500mm, making it the size of a city car. This shows how smart is bucking the trend and shrinking its cars instead of making them bigger, the exact opposite of what the MINI brand is doing.
Diminutive proportions also have the added benefit. the new fortwo looks cute, while the old one came off as an unfortunately botched mess of plastic parts. Gone are the tiny double headlights, replaced by a new large single unit a la' Fiat 500. Like the Renault Twingo, the new smart will come with an all-glazed rear hatch. Unlike the Twingo, however, the rear doors will have normal handles.
Small intake ports on the side and a hint of exhaust fumes coming out the bottom indicate this first test prototype comes with internal combustion. 0.9-liter 12-valve and 0.9 TCe turbo engines will likely be offered, together with an EV powertrain later on.
Look for the new smart forfour to make an official late this year.
The first generation smart forfour was 3,750mm from bumper to bumper, being essentially the size of a supermini at that time. However, this new model will be more like 3,500mm, making it the size of a city car. This shows how smart is bucking the trend and shrinking its cars instead of making them bigger, the exact opposite of what the MINI brand is doing.
Diminutive proportions also have the added benefit. the new fortwo looks cute, while the old one came off as an unfortunately botched mess of plastic parts. Gone are the tiny double headlights, replaced by a new large single unit a la' Fiat 500. Like the Renault Twingo, the new smart will come with an all-glazed rear hatch. Unlike the Twingo, however, the rear doors will have normal handles.
Small intake ports on the side and a hint of exhaust fumes coming out the bottom indicate this first test prototype comes with internal combustion. 0.9-liter 12-valve and 0.9 TCe turbo engines will likely be offered, together with an EV powertrain later on.
Look for the new smart forfour to make an official late this year.