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This is not news. This has been known for maybe 2 years, will be twinned with the next Renault Twingo and made at the Twingo factory somewhere in Eastern Europe.
This news is new - as it's a report from smart times in Antwerp.
"And it was made official when the smart big boss Dr.Annette Winkler mentioned in smart times, “… do not worry, by 2014 we will again have the 4-door available! ”
But yes it has been announced before that a new fourfor was on its way - last time it turned into a Mitsubishi. The next version is this Renault j/v. So in that way it is old news.
I think the desire to make a new one has been around for a while - including the desire to build a USA only one to bridge the gap until the new one is launched but this was quickly rejected!
There have been quite a few images on various car sites from a lengthened 451 to an obomination that just looked like a Renault!!
I hope that if they make one they take a look at their past mistakes (the main one being cost) and realise that what they had in the original was an excellent balance between form and function
Good info though as none of our members mentioned this upon their return from smart times
Good info though as none of our members mentioned this upon their return from smart times
JJ
That's because it's not "new" news. It was dropped into the presentation when (iirc) someone's special contribution / car of the show was announced, he'd got engaged (or married) and Dr Winkler then said "and in 2014 we will have a new forfour" (though she wasn't giving it away free).
My feeling is SMART will pitch the forfour differently too previous model, none of the lounge interior or quirky bits like the arm rest.
Expect as it will be sharing the Renault platform and engines too either fight against up and coming brand like KIA & Hynundai ..... hopefully not pitched against Mini & A1 like previous.
I'm not expecting the build quality to challenege to be bomb proof, but expect newer saftey features to achieve 5 star Euro NCAP (renault are good at this).
The two things that will make it work in a crowded markt place is Price & Warranty which suits the masses not the few.
as its AE i wouldnt get to bogged down - but i stick with my earlier comments in sept'12 that Smart should not be looking at Mini or A1 as it rival being built on a sub brand chassis etc...
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