An interesting retro read...

[Kapt. Q]

Smarts creation and development from the perspective of Mercedes in 2007:

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=33&ved=0CFYQFjACOB4&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.daimler.com%2FProjects%2Fc2c%2Fchannel%2Fdocuments%2F1256216_PM_smart_en.rtf&ei=ux1kUuChHaPM0QX7vIDABA&usg=AFQjCNGAGueUn21sPkuEbaG92qy2JwtaAQ&sig2=CPzg00T3ampR2HtYfiX90g

Cheers!

[Thrumbleux]

Re: An interesting retro read...

This:

''In terms of its impact, the smart compared with the Austin Mini: at the time of their premieres, both cars boasted their own independent style and fashionable self-assurance, and both of them made the small format socially acceptable and roadworthy.''

is how I've always viewed the fortwo.

I have to ask what happened to this though:

''Auto-Bild, no. 39, 2005:
“The three-cylinder lacks stamina? Quite the contrary: This car drove around the equator 13.6 times – covering over 500,000 kilometers.” ''

Or did it stop for half a dozen engine rebuilds?

Interesting article Kapt. Cheers.

[J500ANT]

Re: An interesting retro read...

This is available direct from the Daimler media site, including the images that go with the text.

http://media.daimler.com/dcmedia/0-921-893175-1-893532-1-0-0-0-0-1-11701-1549054-0-1-0-0-0-0-0.html?TS=1382368646275

[Kapt. Q]

Re: An interesting retro read...

Agree on the mini thing, that's why the 450 will also be a classic one day. Sad to see so much hybrid development go to waste, wish Smart would revisit some of the ideas and philosophy of the early years that resulted in such a unique vehicle rather than trying to make it like all other cars. I wait in hope (but also dread) for the new one...

Cheers!

[Mike T]

Re: An interesting retro read...

That 500K km car was a cdi....

[Thrumbleux]

Re: An interesting retro read...

That 500K km car was a cdi....

Ahhh, that explains it then!

Another snippet from the article confirmed what I had suspected. That the fortwo was designed with Japanese Kei regs in mind - hence the (initial) sub 660cc capacity and how when rejigged for other markets the increase in track widths gave rise to the heavily offset rear wheels and bulbous arches.

Talking of Kei, Honda are to launch a two seater sports biased car in Japan built to Kei regs. The kind of thing that could reasonably be considered a spiritual brother to smart's Roadster. Add VW's proposed Ducati engined XL1 and we have two others entering the niche smart created with their Roadster. But smart can't run away from the sector they created fast enough...

[Mr T]

Re: An interesting retro read...

The new Honda Kei car is called the S660.
There's a piece on it here, http://www.topgear.com/uk/car-news/h...how-2013-10-24

[Thrumbleux]

Re: An interesting retro read...

That's the badger!

Two pedals, and paddles - sound familiar?