Gasoline version... for now
Our continent must initially make do with the gasoline version, which will make its debut on Canadian and American soil. The all-aluminum three-cylinder engine was developed in cooperation with Mitsubishi, and is built in Japan.
Its displacement increases from 0.7L to 1.0L for horsepower ratings of 61 hp, 71 hp or, with a turbocharger, of 84 hp. Its fuel consumption is estimated at under 5 L/100 km.
In 2007, look for the availability of a starter/generator, which turns off the engine at a full stop, such as waiting at a traffic light. A fuel consumption reduction of 13% in city driving is promised.
About the top
Among the improvements applied to the new fortwo, there's a panoramic roof that will coif the cockpit of certain versions of the coupe; it's great for the ambiance.
On the cabriolet, the soft top is made by Edscha and is now fully automatic. No longer do you have to climb out of the car to lower the rear section of the top. In addition, the plastic backlight is replaced by real glass, with a defroster.
Finally, the convertible top maneuvers benefit from an unlimited amount of positions, and at any speed. The engineers were very proud of this feat, but honestly, the fortwo will never go fast enough (maximum is 145 km/h) to damage the mechanism!
Profitable, finally?
Since its introduction in 1998, the fortwo has drawn 750,000 adepts in 36 countries. Launched in Canada two years ago (but still not in the United States), it has been sold in almost 8,000 copies, three times more than expected. A third of those sales were dealt in Quebec alone.
The downside: the brand, even after eight years, still hasn't turned a profit. "That will change in 2007 and in subsequent years", affirmed smart's president, Ulrich Walker.
For one, production time at the French Hambach assembly plant is reduced by 25% (going from 4.5 hours to 3.5 hours per unit). Also, "we're working at a base cost that's half of what it used to be", Mr. Walker said.
To that, add the cost of materials that's 12% lower as well as the launch of the car in the United States, and for the first time ever, smart could very well write up its financial balance sheet in black ink.
 |
| (Photo: Nadine Filion, Auto123.com) |
Its displacement increases from 0.7L to 1.0L for horsepower ratings of 61 hp, 71 hp or, with a turbocharger, of 84 hp. Its fuel consumption is estimated at under 5 L/100 km.
In 2007, look for the availability of a starter/generator, which turns off the engine at a full stop, such as waiting at a traffic light. A fuel consumption reduction of 13% in city driving is promised.
About the top
Among the improvements applied to the new fortwo, there's a panoramic roof that will coif the cockpit of certain versions of the coupe; it's great for the ambiance.
 |
| (Photo: smart) |
Finally, the convertible top maneuvers benefit from an unlimited amount of positions, and at any speed. The engineers were very proud of this feat, but honestly, the fortwo will never go fast enough (maximum is 145 km/h) to damage the mechanism!
Profitable, finally?
 |
| (Photo: Nadine Filion, Auto123.com) |
The downside: the brand, even after eight years, still hasn't turned a profit. "That will change in 2007 and in subsequent years", affirmed smart's president, Ulrich Walker.
For one, production time at the French Hambach assembly plant is reduced by 25% (going from 4.5 hours to 3.5 hours per unit). Also, "we're working at a base cost that's half of what it used to be", Mr. Walker said.
To that, add the cost of materials that's 12% lower as well as the launch of the car in the United States, and for the first time ever, smart could very well write up its financial balance sheet in black ink.