DaimlerChrysler’s little Smart is growing up, with the four-seater Smart Forfour due to début at the Frankfurt show in September and expected to go on sale in South Africa late in 2004.
DaimlerChrysler’s little Smart is growing up, with the four-seater Smart Forfour set to début at the Frankfurt show in September and expected to go on sale in South Africa late in 2004.
The Smart series also consists of the City Coupé, Smart Cabrio, Smart Crossblade, Smart Roadster and Smart Roadster coupé. The City Coupé and Cabriolet versions will go on sale in South Africa in July, followed by the Smart Roadster and Roadster coupé in December.
The five-door Forfour was developed jointly with the new Mitsubishi Colt, and both will be assembled at DaimlerChrysler’s Nedcar plant in the Netherlands.
It is based on the Tridion concept seen at the 2001 Frankfurt Motor Show and features the Tridion safety cell, which means the surface of the chassis cell serves as an outer skin in the area of the A and C-pillars, the roof pillars and door sills. The front, rear, wings and doors are clad with deformable, scratch-resistant plastic panels.
At 3,75 m, the Forfour is slightly longer than the standard Mercedes A-Class and able to seat four adults. The design and form of the rear end also show the characteristic signature of the smart design. In front it has high-mounted headlamps and features air inlets and service grilles.
It will be available in a choice of three petrol and two diesel variants. DaimlerChrysler said it plans to build 80 000 Forfour units a year.