New Smart range launch in February 2015

[longdistancecdi]

Yes I was offered a test drive in a left hand drive manual new Smart last week and was told that the auto wouldn't arrive until 2016 !
Talk about shooting yourself in the foot, they ain't gonna sell many manual Fortwo's !!!!!!!!!!!

[lalli_d1]

they ain't gonna sell many manual Fortwo's !!!!!!!!!!!

how do you know? the manual might be cheaper and therefore would result in higher sales over the auto

[Thrumbleux]

how do you know? the manual might be cheaper and therefore would result in higher sales over the auto

Wonderful phrasing....
Here it is put more accurately. The auto will be more expensive (to the tune of £1-2k).
What once came as standard and for free will now be an expensive extra.

[lalli_d1]

What once came as standard and for free will now be an expensive extra.

it only came free because it was the ONLY option. the auto option on any car is an expensive extra!

[Thrumbleux]

it only came free because it was the ONLY option. the auto option on any car is an expensive extra!

Wrong.
Option implies a choice. There wasn't one. The semi auto with auto facility was the standard fitment.
Secondly. TC epicyclic autos are more expensive to build. The fortwo transmission was a much cheaper automated manual and only one development cost was incurred as it was the only transmission developed.
Now there are two costs to be amortized as two distinctly different transmissions have been developed. But, because the bleaters for manual were appeased smart are now adopting the industry marketing standard and charging a premium to be shot of the third pedal.
And how many manual fortwos will sell? They will perhaps be bought by those wanting a smart and not prepared to cave in and shell out the extra £1-2k. But one thing is for sure - it won't be you. Or, are you, after shouting so loud for a manual fortwo, actually going to buy one?

[lalli_d1]

you might find that there were 2 'options'. soft tip and soft touch, but they were still in essence an automatic.
it might have had 2 options when new but it still had 2 pedals regardless of the driver shifting manually or the car doing it. i had the pleasure of owing a LHD city coupe (with soft tip) as a first car and loved it. i liked the whole shifting 'manually' but missed a clutch pedal

id rather buy a forfour with the manual box over the fortwo because i have a wife and child , but i wouldn't buy one new! but ill be sticking with my forfour until it falls to bits, which isn't any time soon.

[Thrumbleux]

but missed a clutch pedal

You should have done the Hokey Cokey instead. Stick your left leg in, your left leg out......

[lalli_d1]

You should have done the Hokey Cokey instead. Stick your left leg in, your left leg out......

tried that.... the police didnt take too kindly to it though

[tolsen]

Renault 4 umbrella style gear stick?

[Thrumbleux]

Renault 4 umbrella style gear stick?

Been there, done that - in a 2CV. Citroen thought the thing through though and placed 1st and reverse opposite each other for shunting, and 2nd and 3rd opposite each other for general, non cruising, driving. Citroen wasn't one to slavishly follow the herd.

[Thrumbleux]

tried that.... the police didnt take too kindly to it though

Should have tried them with the 'handshake' then...

[mancbloke]

Hey there, haven't seen or heard from you in a while. Merry Christmas.

Are you arranging a trip to Smart of Manchester for this? I'll probably come just to see it (I missed the roadshow events) and maybe test drive the LHD version if they allow it (although its been years since I've driven a Manual).

Hi
Happy new year to you. If Arri lets me know I will post the details on here. I will try to arrange a day out when it gets warmer lol Hope your well

[Ocracoke]

Hi
Happy new year to you. If Arri lets me know I will post the details on here. I will try to arrange a day out when it gets warmer lol Hope your well

Happy new year to you too!

I was over at Smart of Liverpool today and they have their demos in as well (although they wouldn't let me test drive them ). They said that they would have something test drivable in a few weeks. I guess Manchester would have them first. I hope it does get warmer. ^^

[jwight]

Whenever you folks get some 453s in hand, how about a few photos with the 450/451/453 fortwos side by side for comparison? We won't see 453s in the USA until late 2015, even though the "official" introduction will be at the New York Auto Show this April.

[Evilution]

I'm not fussed who makes most of the parts. As long as it's good to look at and reliable.