2015 smart fortwo and smart forfour city cars unveiled

smart fortwo, BR C453, 2014

After countless spyshots and much teasing, the new 2015 smart fortwo and its larger smart forfour sibling have finally been unveiled. The new city cars form a rejuvenated smart lineup, which has long been propped up solely by the outgoing fortwo that had been on sale since 2007.

The fortwo has managed to keep the previous generation’s length, a scant 2,690 mm, although width has grown by 100 mm to 1,660 mm and height by 10 mm to 1,550 mm. The four-door forfour is 800 mm longer at 3,490 mm, but it’s still 262 mm shorter and 24 mm narrower than the first-generation model, which was based on a Mitsubishi Colt and competed in a bigger class.

While still recognisably smart, the two cars share many of their design cues with newer smart concepts such as the for-us, forstars and fourjoy. These include the honeycomb grille, the square head- and tail lights and a tridion safety cell design that wraps around the tail lights.

A higher bonnet leads to a change of proportions (it’s now what smart calls a “one-and-a-half-box” design, rather than the previous one-box silhouette), which the company says gives both cars a more grown up and sportier character.

Inside, the new smarts continue the company’s favoured use of fabric surfaces, with a large swathes covering the dashboard and the doors. The infotainment system sprouts from the dashboard, giving it a floating appearance similar to a number of newer Mercs. One cool feature is the temperature slider for the climate control, which is controlled by a miniature magnifying glass.

smart-forfour

Based on the new Renault Twingo, both the fortwo and forfour will be offered with two of the French car’s rear-mounted three cylinder petrol engines at launch – a 71 hp/91Nm 999 cc naturally aspirated unit and a 90 hp/135 Nm 898 cc turbocharged mill with a stop-start system. Later on, the lineup will be boosted through the introduction of a base 60 hp engine.

But the biggest news is the discontinuation of the much-maligned single-clutch automated manual transmission of the previous two generations of the fortwo. Instead, buyers will be offered a choice between a five-speed manual or a twinamic six-speed dual-clutch transmission. Drive goes to the rear wheels.

The chassis with MacPherson strut front suspension and De Dion tube rear suspension has been tuned to ride more comfortably than before, and there’s an optional sports suspension system on offer with stiffer springs and a 10 mm lower ride height. The company touts a tiny turning circle of just 6.95 m for the fortwo and 8.65 m for the forfour.

smart fortwo, BR C453, 2014

Both smarts are available with a raft of safety systems borrowed from sister company Mercedes-Benz – Crosswind Assist comes as standard, and forward collision warning and Lane Keeping Assist are offered as optional extras. They also come as standard with five airbags, seat belt pre-tensioners and load limiters for all occupants and ISOFIX child seat anchors.

The new smart fortwo and smart forfour will be available in European dealers in November, with prices for the fortwo remaining the same as the outgoing model. Spec-for-spec, the forfour will be about €600 (RM2,582) more than the equivalent fortwo. The smart duo was officially available in Malaysia before, will Mercedes-Benz Malaysia be interested this time around?

2015 smart fortwo


2015 smart forfour

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Jonathan Lee

After trying to pursue a career in product design, Jonathan Lee decided to make the sideways jump into the world of car journalism instead. He therefore appreciates the aesthetic appeal of a car, but for him, the driving experience is still second to none.

 

Comments

  • Vader (Member) on Jul 17, 2014 at 4:13 pm

    At first sight, i though is Renault twingo..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 1
  • Aaron on Jul 17, 2014 at 4:15 pm

    OMG i want one……

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 4
  • shawal on Jul 17, 2014 at 4:16 pm

    A novel item rather than a solution to any transportation problems…
    In rome, it was literally everywhere, partly dt numerous narrow single alleys in the city…
    It might make sense in europe…

    In malaysia , the first thing people will ask you if buy one would be ‘ have they sold out the mini?’

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 0
    • Sunriver on Jul 18, 2014 at 8:41 am

      The objective of the car is to have an efficient fuel economy, cheap and compact vehicle for the over crowded city streets in Europe. Since it is fuel efficient, then the owner will have less fuel to buy and since it is compact two cars (i.e. fortwo models) can fit into a single (normal) car bays.

      We in Malaysia cannot own this car (or are not encouraged)as the pricing structure would undercut a certain brand. Furthermore, with the 2 BIG advantages noted above our policy makers will have no other things to talk about i.e. Subsidy, KIDEX etc.

      Peace & RIP MH 17

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
  • sudonano (Member) on Jul 17, 2014 at 4:23 pm

    It’s cute, and I do like the forfour, then again, I did like the old one too…

    Pricing will be undoubtedly tough though, they’d have to park this at a starting price of 130 to 140k, to give the similar sized Mini Hatch a run for the money. Especially since the Mini Hatch 5 door is now here globally.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 3
  • kcng (Member) on Jul 17, 2014 at 4:38 pm

    How come no people bash this rebadge engineering car unlike Proton?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 16
    • Sensibility on Jul 17, 2014 at 4:56 pm

      Sharing a chassis with another car is unlike rebadging a previous generation model and selling it as if it were new. Get your facts right.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 1
    • DrCooper on Jul 17, 2014 at 5:40 pm

      Because its made by European and assemble by European hand, nothing can go wrong with that so nothing to bash about..

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 3
    • LatukBandar on Jul 17, 2014 at 5:49 pm

      Because rebadge means swap logo like how some ahbeng workshop swap proton logo for mitsubishi logo… everyone can do it.

      use chassis is different.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • nabill (Member) on Jul 17, 2014 at 6:14 pm

    Its horrible

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1
  • China Car?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 2
  • Ray (Member) on Jul 17, 2014 at 7:50 pm

    Am I the only one who thinks that the previous gen smart cars look better? This new fortwo goes well with me, though I still prefer its predecessor but the old forfour looks so much better than this one IMO. That curve from the front fenders to the bumpers look really hideous, and thanks to those small turn indicators, the entire front is ruined. The old model wasn’t a good looking one to start of with but at least I got used to its weird looks after so many years. Perhaps things will also work the same for this new model… Hmm…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • Anti-Toyota on Jul 17, 2014 at 7:52 pm

    Must be my eyes cause I find it hedeous!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • Anti-Toyota on Jul 17, 2014 at 7:53 pm

    Must be my eyes cause I find it hideous!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Jules on Jul 17, 2014 at 8:23 pm

    Don’t know why… Reminds me of Kelisa pulak

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
    • Ray (Member) on Jul 17, 2014 at 11:09 pm

      Now now, the forfour really looks like a Kelisa. Thanks for the reminder hahaha

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • spongewai on Jul 17, 2014 at 9:57 pm

    1st gen Smart ForFour is very fat based on Mitsubishi Colt

    all-new 2nd gen is slimmer and longer

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Basayev on Jul 17, 2014 at 10:53 pm

    Why?
    Why?
    Why?
    Ugly than previous gen.
    What the fish……

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
    • Heng Lee on Jul 19, 2014 at 4:07 pm

      New pedestrian safety regulations in the EU. Cars must have a bonnet (I wonder why lorries don’t have a bonnet then?)

      BTW: There are some Smart fortwo in my area, most driven by rich gentlemen in their middle ages.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • roxas on Jul 18, 2014 at 5:07 am

    funky..but not nice

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • dewaSemut on Jul 18, 2014 at 11:26 am

    The sketches are nice.. Why laa in the auto world it hardly translated into the finished products… :(

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Motorhead (Member) on Jul 18, 2014 at 12:28 pm

    One time make.. then discontinued. . What happened to the previous for two & for four?

    Please. . Go ahead buy.. I support. .

    I know. . Some people ve a lot of time & money to waste.. sila beli..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • donno on Jul 19, 2014 at 12:56 pm

    wow it is really very2 hideous. looks like a car that has melted under the hot sun.

    IMO that is worse than the previous fortwo and certainly uglier than some chinese made cars…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
  • anarmyofzakus on Jul 21, 2014 at 5:53 pm

    The front grill is kinda ‘uh oh, gross’ if you suffer from trypophobia, which based on my queasiness with images of lotus seed pods I do. Otherwise, would have been a nice option for the missus.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Ian Bryant on May 30, 2015 at 6:29 pm

    I was looking for a new Smart car. Cause I’ve always find Smarties Smart & Chic.
    I was hoping that the new 2014 or 2015 would perhaps have a some new features sush as Touch Screen Monitors, Cool Analog stuffs, Push Button Start Up, Etc.
    But, I have to be honest… It’s rather disappointing… No Cool Stuffs and The Design??? Yep, my first impression was WTF????

    So, maybe I should just get myself a 2005 model and Pimp My Own Ride Myself…. =P

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Ian Bryant on May 30, 2015 at 6:30 pm

    I was looking for a new Smart car. Cause I’ve always find Smarties Smart & Chic.
    I was hoping that the new 2014 or 2015 would perhaps have a some new features sush as Touch Screen Monitors, Cool Analog stuffs, Push Button Start Up, Etc.
    But, I have to be honest… It’s rather disappointing… No Cool Stuffs and The Design??? Yep, my first impression was WTF????

    So, maybe I should just get myself a 2005 model and Pimp My Own Ride Myself… =P

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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