Smart Forfour
| Smart Forfour | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Smart (Daimler AG) |
| Production | 2004–2006 |
| Assembly | Born, Netherlands (NedCar) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Supermini |
| Body style | 5-door hatchback |
| Layout | Front-engine, front-wheel-drive |
| Related | Mitsubishi Colt |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1.1 L I3 12-valve (petrol)[1] 1.3 L I4 16-valve (petrol) 1.5 L I4 16-valve (petrol) 1.5 L I3 Cdi (diesel) |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual 6-speed semi-automatic (Softouch)[2] |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,500 mm (98.4 in) |
| Length | 3,752 mm (147.7 in) |
| Width | 1,684 mm (66.3 in) |
| Height | 1,450 mm (57.1 in) |
The Smart Forfour is a supermini car produced by the Smart division of the German manufactuer Daimler AG, between April 2004 and June 2006 and available only in Europe. Unlike the other models of the marque, the Forfour was a more conventional five-door hatchback with a relatively roomy interior, available as a four/five-seater.
First Generation
smart forfour BRABUS (2005-)
It is a version of smart forfour with a turbocharged Mitsubishi 4G15 engine rated 130 kW (177 PS; 174 hp), 27 PS (20 kW; 27 hp) more than the Mitsubishi Colt CZT. The Brabus Forfour requires higher than standard octane fuel to develop full power. It can reach a maximum speed of 221 km/h (137 mph) and accelerate from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.9 seconds. The Forfour was to be sold in the United States along with the revived Smart Formore vehicle.[3] However, due to slow sales, the Forfour has been phased out from production.[4]
Engines[5]
| Model | Years | Type/code | Power, torque@rpm |
|---|---|---|---|
| smart forfour 47 kW | 2005- | 1,124 cc (68.6 cu in) I3 (M 134 E 11 red.) | 64 PS (47 kW; 63 hp)@5500, 92 N⋅m (68 lbf⋅ft)@2500 |
| smart forfour 1.1l (55 kW) | 2004- | 1,124 cc (68.6 cu in) I3 (M 134 E 11) | 75 PS (55 kW; 74 hp)@6000, 100 N⋅m (74 lbf⋅ft)@3500 |
| smart forfour 1.3l (70 kW) | 2004- | 1,332 cc (81.3 cu in) I4 (M 135 E 13) | 95 PS (70 kW; 94 hp)@6000, 125 N⋅m (92 lbf⋅ft)@4000 |
| smart forfour 1.5l (80 kW) | 2004- | 1,499 cc (91.5 cu in) I4 (M 135 E 15) | 109 PS (80 kW; 108 hp)@6000, 145 N⋅m (107 lbf⋅ft)@4000 |
| smart forfour BRABUS | 2005- | 1,468 cc (89.6 cu in) I4 turbo (M 122 E 15 AL) | 177 PS (130 kW; 175 hp)@6000, 230 N⋅m (170 lbf⋅ft)@3500 |
| Model | Years | Type/code | Power, torque@rpm |
|---|---|---|---|
| smart forfour 1.5l cdi (50 kW) | 2004- | 1,493 cc (91.1 cu in) I4 (OM 639 DE 15 LA red.) | 68 PS (50 kW; 67 hp)@4000, 160 N⋅m (118 lbf⋅ft)@1600 |
| smart forfour 1.5l cdi (70 kW) | 2004- | 1,124 cc (68.6 cu in) I3 (OM 639 DE 15 LA) | 95 PS (70 kW; 94 hp)@4000, 210 N⋅m (155 lbf⋅ft)@1800 |
The 1.5 L (92 in3) common direct injection (cdi) diesel engine, is a three-cylinder Mercedes-Benz engine derived from the four-cylinder used in the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, and is available with either 68 PS (50 kW; 67 hp) or 95 PS (70 kW; 94 hp).
Transmissions
| Model | Years | Types |
|---|---|---|
| smart forfour 47 kW | 2005- | 5-speed manual |
| smart forfour 1.1l (55 kW) | 2004- | 5-speed manual, 6-speed automatic (softouch plus) |
| smart forfour 1.3l (70 kW) | 2004- | 5-speed manual, 6-speed automatic (softouch plus) |
| smart forfour 1.5l (80 kW) | 2004- | 5-speed manual, 6-speed automatic (softouch plus) |
| smart forfour BRABUS | 2005- | 5-speed manual |
| Model | Years | Types |
|---|---|---|
| smart forfour 1.5l cdi (50 kW) | 2004- | 5-speed manual, 6-speed automatic (softouch plus) |
| smart forfour 1.5l cdi (70 kW) | 2004- | 5-speed manual, 6-speed automatic (softouch plus) |
Production
The car was produced at the NedCar factory in the Netherlands in conjunction with Mitsubishi Motors. This is the same factory that produced Volvo 300 cars in the 1970s and 1980s and the Volvo V40s in the 1990s. To save production costs, the Smart Forfour shared almost all of its components with the 2003 Mitsubishi Colt. This includes the chassis, suspension and a new generation of MIVEC petrol engines, ranging from the three cylinder 1.1 L (67 in3) to the four cylinder with power up to 80 kW (109 PS; 107 hp).
Marketing
The sales brochures state that the interior "is designed around the concept of a lounge"; to test this, Top Gear presenters spent 24 hours inside the Forfour. They said they would not buy the car due to its high price and poor driving dynamics compared to its rivals.
Following Smart's initial success for the fortwo in the US, and due to a surprisingly high popularity in the Forfour, former Mercedes-Benz exec Rainer Schmückle revealed that officials were considering relaunching the car.[6]
Second generation (Build series W453, forthcoming)
The second generation Forfour, jointly developed with Renault, will be internally designated the W453 build series. Motor Trend has reported the second generation Forfour will debut at the 2014 Paris Motor Show, sharing approximately 70% of its parts with the third generation Renault Twingo. Smart CEO Annette Winkler has reported that the W453 will retain the 2nd Generation Fortwo's trademark hemispherical steel safety cell, marketed as the Tridion cell.[7] The Fortwo will continue to be asssembled at Smartville, and the Forfour will be manufactured alongside the Renault Twingo 3 in in Novo Mesto, Slovenia.[8] Smartville, where the W450 and W451 build series have been manufactured, underwent a 200 million euro upgrade beginning in mid-2013, in preparation for the C453 Fortwo.
According to chief development engineer for the C453/W453, Markus Rieder (who had previously worked on development of the Mercedes ML and GL SUV's),[9] the Fortwo and ForFour will be offered with a choice of manual transmission or double-clutch automatic[10] — and nolonger with the Getrag automated manual. According to Rieder, both models will feature a wider track, overall width increased by 10cm (over the 2nd generation Fortwo, improved ride and improved noise isolation.[11]
For the forthcoming third generation, Autoweek reports that Daimler has consulted with Ford to learn about Ford's 1.0 Liter turbo-charged inline 3-cyclinder engine, in turn sharing information about its own Euro6 stratified lean-burn gasoline engines.[12]
smart fourjoy concept (2013)
smart fourjoy concept includes Smart's signature tridion cell in polished full-aluminium, tail lights integrated in the tridion cell, spherical instrument cluster, raised smart lettering milled from aluminium on the side skirts, pearlescent white on the bumpers, front bonnet and tailgate; headlamps without a glass cover, U-shaped daytime running lights, LED front and tail lights, transparent petroleum-coloured moulded wind deflector at the top of the front windscreen, on the A-pillars on the sides and on the rear roof spoiler; rear dark chrome seats, a piping-like line with the same petroleum colour as the plexiglass accents on the exterior, instrument panel with convex surface and touch-sensitive operating functions, spherical instrument cluster, single-spoke steering wheel, two smartphones mounted on the dashboard and on the centre tunnel, 55 kW magneto-electric motor, 17.6kWh lithium-ion battery, 22 kW on-board charger, two electrically driven skateboards on the roof, helmets under the rear seats, a high-definition camera.
The vehicle was unveiled in 2013 Frankfurt Auto Show (without doors and roof).[13][14]
Electric version
A Smart Forfour has been converted into a plug-in hybrid by Lithium Technology Corporation[15] and Zytek Systems. The lithium-ion battery can propel the vehicle up to 84 mph (135 km/h) and last on its own for up to 20 miles (32 km). The engine is a combination of a 68 hp (51 kW; 69 PS), 1.5 L (92 in3), three-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine and two high-efficiency permanent-magnet electric motors. It received an award from the Energy Saving Trust for the “Ultra Low Carbon Car Challenge” project.[16]
Daimler has confirmed it will produce an electric version of the Smart Forfour during the second generation of production. Production is expected in 2014, as a 2015 model year.[17]
References
- ^ http://www.auto-types.com/smart/smart-forfour-5-doors-hatchback-1124/
- ^ http://www7.big.or.jp/~imac/smart/html/forfour/
- ^ Grabianowski, Ed (2006-08-04). "How the Smart Car Works". Auto.howstuffworks.com. Retrieved 2012-05-17.
- ^ By John Neff RSS feed. "SMART forfour production ends - Mitsubishi and DaimlerChrysler part ways". Autoblog.com. Retrieved 2012-05-17.
- ^ smart forfour: Technical data
- ^ "Comeback planned for Smart ForFour". Motor Authority. 2008-01-31. Retrieved 2012-05-17.
- ^ "Das ist keine Geheimniskrämerei (in German)". Manager Magazine Online, Wilfried Eckl-Dorna, Nov 18, 2013.
- ^ http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/scoop/new-renault-twingo-spotted
- ^ "AUTO UND TECHNIK: Das Kuckucksei (in German)". Focus Magazine, March 17,2014.
- ^ "The Smart rehearsing the Snow Waltz (in German)". Autobild, 3/17/2014.
- ^ "Baptism by Fire in the Snow (in German)". Automobil Revue, 21 March 2014, Thomas Geiger.
- ^ "Daimler consults Ford on turbo three-cylinder engine development". Nick Gibbs, Automotive News, 5/24/2013.
- ^ FourJoy reveals stats of Smart ForFour
- ^ Smart jumps Fourjoy in Germany
- ^ "Gaia: Gaia". Gaia-akku.com. Retrieved 2012-05-17.
- ^ "A plug-in Hybrid that can go 84". Gadgetell.com. 2006-12-12. Retrieved 2009-10-14.
- ^ Mike Szostech. "Smart ForFour Electric Drive confirmed for 2015". My Electric Car Forums. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
External links
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