New Cars Sport Sport

Remember the patent designs of a topless, two-seat Smart model that we first showed you back in December, 2010? Well, according to Carscoop sources, the drawings are of a concept speedster model that will make its world premiere at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show on March 1.

We also learned the concept is powered by a rear-mounted electric motor driving the rear wheels, and that while Smart's parent company Mercedes-Benz has no plans to create a production version of the speedster-like model, key styling cues such as the headlamp and grille designs will pass on to the next generation Smart cars like the new Fortwo and the upcoming 5-door variant.

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Daimler is planning to end an agreement with Penske Automotive Group regarding the distribution rights of Smart cars in the United States and transfer all activities to Mercedes-Benz USA, starting from the end of the second quarter of 2011.

"We are very excited about working toward integration of Smart into the MBUSA organization, and look forward to working with our dealer partners to exceed customer expectations for this unique vehicle," said Mercedes-Benz President and CEO, Ernst Lieb. "The addition of smart, combined with our Autohaus dealer initiative, will help us build upon the tremendous momentum the Mercedes-Benz brand has achieved here in the U.S."

Penske began selling the Lilliputian Smart Fortwo in the USA as an independent distributor in January 2008, and partially thanks to sky rocketing gasoline prices at the time as well as the initial shock factor, the company managed to sell close to 25,000 units that year. However, sales plummeted the next two years dipping to 14,600 cars in 2009 and to less than 6,000 units in 2010.

"Introducing the smart brand to the U.S. has been a unique opportunity for us," said Penske Automotive Group Chairman Roger Penske. "Over the last three years I've experienced the passion consumers express for the brand as we delivered over 45,000 vehicles. Aligning smart distribution with Daimler, as it is worldwide, is the logical next step for the smart brand in the U.S. This alignment will enable the smart brand to grow through the Mercedes-Benz dealership network and lead the way in conservation and meeting future fuel economy standards."

The decision to break up with Penske also marks the end of the firm's plans to add a Nissan Micra-based model to Smart's U.S. lineup in late 2011.

The company is readying its own five-door model (see our most recent scoop story here) using a new rear-wheel drive platform that is being currently developed in cooperation with the Renault-Nissan Group, but the four seat hatchback isn't expected for another two to three years.

Sources: SmartUSA via Autonews (Sub. Required)

It's no secret that Mercedes-Benz plans to give its Smart brand one more chance to extend its vehicle range after the not so-successful Mitsubishi Colt-based Forfour and the Roadster series. Last April, the German automaker signed a deal with the Renault-Nissan Group, with the two parties announcing the development of a new rear-wheel drive platform to be used on the successor of the current Smart Fortwo, a new four-seater Smart and the next-generation Renault Twingo.

Now, one of our spy photographers managed to sneak close enough to the firm's R&D facilities in Germany and scoop these photos of a scale model of a five-door Smart. The prototype appears to be based on the next generation Fortwo with the engine mounted at the back, which would make sense since both vehicles will be based on the same architecture. The difference is the five door model features a longer wheelbase and a much taller roof to accommodate the rear passengers.

While there's no way of being sure if the model seen here is an early or an advanced prototype, it definitely gives us an idea of Smart's plans.

We'll post an update on Smart's forthcoming four-seater model as soon as we find new photos and/or details.

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Over the years, Daimler's Smart unit has introduced many limited edition models of its Fortwo micro car such as the 'Three', 'Hello Kitty' and 'GB-10'. This time around, Smart has presented a more sporty looking special edition of the Fortwo called the Nightorange.

Naturally, the most eye-catching part of this limited edition model is the paint-job which combines an exclusive orange metallic finish combined with a black Tridion safety cell and black 3-double-spoke alloy wheels fitted with tires in size 175/55 R15 at the front and 195/50 R15 at the rear. The car also features black painted headlamp trims, black mirror caps and nightorange logos in the mirror triangles.

The same color theme is continued in the interior with the black seats in a mix of leather and fabric sporting an orange stripe in the center, as does the knee pad in leather look. Contrast components such as the instrument trims are painted in pearl black, while the 3-spoke sports steering wheel with gearshift paddles and the gear knob are covered with black nappa leather.

Standard features include an audio system with AUX/USB interfaces and two loudspeakers, electric windows, air conditioning with automatic temperature control, and a transparent panoramic roof with sunblind (coupe).

Customers can choose between three engine variants -two petrol versions with 71HP and 84HP and a more frugal diesel model producing 54HP- and two body styles -coupe or convertible.

In Europe, the two seater limited edition model can be ordered now with first deliveries to customers beginning on February 22. In Germany, prices range from €13,995 to €18,345 [US$18,750 to$24,600].

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SPESIFIKASI Smart Fortwo

Daimler began marketing the Smart electric cars in the United States (U.S.). With the amount of 250 units, this little one started moving into big cities in the U.S. this year to lure the attention of consumers while enhancing product image.

As for the cities that receive rations from the Smart USA as the official dealer of Daimler AG, among others, Portland (Oregon), San Jose (California), Orlando (Florida), Indianapolis (Indiana), as well as throughout the Washington DC to Massachusetts.

Car weighing 770 kg (800 kg for the cabrio model) reinforced 3-cylinder gasoline engine in-line with a capacity of 999 cc. In a smart page mentioned there is also the added turbo engine and 799 cc diesel engine.

Smart ForTwo comes trasmisi 5-speed automated manual. Although the tiny car has a maximum speed of 145 km / h and sped 0-100 km / h less than 11 seconds.

Smart ForTwo is a tiny vehicle - dimenasi length 2.695 mm, 1.559 mm width, and height 1.565 mm - which is used for 2 passengers. Using a 3-cylinder engine in-line with a capacity of 999 cc engine capable of removing the power 61 hp at 5.800 rpm and torque of 89 Nm at 2.800 rpm.

Rudi said that for this first phase of the smart will be introduced in Jakarta and Bali. The selection of Bali due to the smart has a small dimension so that it matches with known narrow streets of Bali.

With emission levels only 116 g / km and fuel consumption is economical or less than 1 liter / 20 km and form small bodies, this car seemed to answer the needs of the world community, particularly people in countries where levels are very high levels of pollution, congestion and rising fuel prices.

Over time, the second generation Smart ForTwo appeared in 2006. This time the Smart ForTwo successfully created with 1.0L engine and only spends 3.4-liter to a distance of 100 km with a recommendation of gasoline with the octane level of 91. Even today the Smart ForTwo already exists that uses the electricity.

In May 2008 Smart ForTwo highest ratings in crash tests conducted Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the United States.

Cars with a length of 2.4 meters is the highest rating for front and side impact test. This is at once answered consumer fears that car small dimension vulnerable in case of fatal impact accident

.Smart ForTwo is priced starting at $ 12,000 or approximately Rp 120 million of this has become part of the Hollywood celebrity lifestyle. Singer Robbie Williams and Kill Bill star Darryl is an example of Hollywood celebrities who are proud of the car is economical and environmentally friendly.

Smart Electric manufactured from 95 per cent of material that can be recycled. He also supplied lithium ion battery-powered 16.5-kilowatt per hour, the supply of Tesla Motors Inc., based in California.

"The core of the Smart Electric Daimler is evidence of continuation of the program. But its main purpose, this little special success in urban markets, such as large cities," says Jill Lajdziak, President of Smart USA, as reported by Autonews (10 / 6 / 2010).

Smart Fortwo electricity produced in Hambach, France, November 2009, represents the second generation. Product has been tested in several European cities, like Berlin and London. For the U.S. market, Smart began to go ahead in October.

For bulk sales, beginning in 2012 until the Smart is targeted at European markets, and the U.S., and then other parts of the country. In Indonesia, the Smart will begin to be marketed in Jakarta and Bali in November 2010. However, little is marketed is not a newfangled little electricity, but the conventional gasoline model.