The 2011 smart fortwo

When the United States became the 37th country to sell the smart fortwo in January 2008, the landscape of American highways was forever changed. Now with more than 40,000 vehicles sold in the United States since its 2008 launch and more than 1.2 million worldwide, the smart fortwo evolves to strengthen its position as the original micro-car with fun and functionality. The smart fortwo has a fresh look for 2011 with an all-new interior, the addition of available state-of-the-art technology and new entertainment features, enhanced safety and two new exterior colors.

The smart fortwo was conceived as an intelligent city car more than ten years ago. This innovative concept and distinctive design has become legendary, making the smart fortwo an automotive icon and a trendsetter. The smart fortwo redefines what it means to be a car, and its buyers are attracted to the vehicle's lifestyle attributes and fulfilling "gotta have it" qualities. It combines responsibility to the environment and high ecological standards with joie de vivre and a high fun factor.

With its compact dimensions, the two-seater has the smallest exterior footprint of any vehicle currently available — just 8.8 feet long—but a tremendous amount of head and legroom and exceptional safety which allow occupants to travel comfortably and safely. The smart fortwo offers the most fuel-efficient non-hybrid gasoline-powered engine in the U.S. according to fueleconomy.gov, with an EPA-estimated 41 mpg on the highway, and state-of-theart engineering for its "small on the outside, yet big on the inside" functionality in a package that is a blast to drive. It is a stylish car and clearly stands out from the crowd as a progressive solution in today's society.

The vehicle concept is extremely practical – especially for people who regularly commute through congested urban traffic. The size of the smart fortwo allows for faster, nimble movement and easier parking with a sociallyconscious, environmentally-responsible footprint.

The smart fortwo is a compact car that is big on comfort, agility, safety and ecology. It is a very practical and sensible car that is suitable for everyday use; it expresses confidence, forward thinking and responsibility and allows enthusiasts to "discover the possibilities." The 2011 smart fortwo offers a number of practical details, user-friendly technical features and new entertainment highlights that make driving more fun than ever before.

The exterior – unique styling and elegant

Good things come in small packages, and the smart fortwo is no exception. With its evolutionary design, the smart
fortwo offers functionality and unique styling with an emphasis on safety. Starting with the tridion safety cell, which is made of high strength steel, the smart fortwo boasts a two-material concept. The use of colored bodypanels made of premium, dent-resistant plastic is an important distinguishing feature of the smart. For 2011, the body color is extended onto the front spoiler, side skirts and rear apron that previously had a black grain. This is standard on the passion coupe and passion cabriolet models for 2011 and this feature can be added as an option with the Bodypanel Plus Package on the pure coupe. Additionally, the fuel filler door is painted in the body color, a new standard feature for 2011 on all models.

Clarity and modernity play a decisive role in the smart fortwo design. The smart fortwo is the only vehicle in its class to feature halogen projection headlamps, which lend it a high-tech and mature face. The turn indicators are integrated into the headlights, and the impression is emphasized by the additional air intake. The horizontal door handle cleverly takes up the shoulder line just below the window edge, which runs into the front wing and the headlight.

The rear of the smart fortwo is adorned by five lights and a large window. There are two circular reflectors on each side of the cargo door. The rear lights, brake lights and indicator lights are in the top, and the reverse lights are housed in a circular at the bottom. There is an additional brake light at the roofline. The rear window reaches across almost the whole width of the vehicle and is framed by two black panels. The rear window is slightly slanted, giving the smart fortwo elegance.

The fortwo's roof is unique in the micro car segment. The passion coupe offers an ultra-light, yet high-strength, polycarbonate panoramic roof, and the soft top of the cabriolet model is fully automatic and can be infinitely adjusted to any position, a unique feature available worldwide. Customers also have the option of ordering the passion coupe with a solid roof in place of the standard polycarbonate panoramic roof at no extra charge.

The smart fortwo does not have to be stationary for the convertible top to be opened or closed – this can be done at any speed. The rear part of the convertible top also can be opened to the final position and closed again at the touch of a button. This feature is a prime example of the outstanding functionality of the small, open, two-seat vehicle.

All that remains for the full cabriolet experience is to remove the side roof bars. These can be taken out in no time and stowed in a special compartment in the tailgate. When closed, the convertible top offers further added driving enjoyment and safety with a heated rear glass window.

The 2011 model offers a new standard alloy wheel with a 12-spoke design on the passion coupe and passion cabriolet. Both passion models also offer a new optional 6-spoke alloy wheel with wider P175/55 tires in the front at P195/50 tires in the rear. The pure comes standard with steel wheels featuring smart wheel covers. All wheels measure 15 inches.

An optional style package is available for 2011 which combines new exterior enhancements with premium color choices into a single value-added offering. The style package features the new 6-spoke alloy wheel, a choice of metallic bodypanel color, a silver tridion safety cell and fog lamps.

In addition to all the features that come standard with the models of the smart fortwo, a wide variety of additional options and accessories are available for consumers to personalize their smart fortwos.

The interior – redesigned for 2011 with a fresh atmosphere, greater functionality and more comfort

For 2011, the interior has been redesigned and greets the driver and passenger with a fresh, inviting atmosphere. A fully fabric-covered instrument panel was added to compliment the vehicles existing interior features. The interior features harmonious styling and new fabric designs for the cockpit, door panel and seats on every trim line. The pure is upgraded with standard black upholstery with black appointments, while the passion coupe and cabriolet offer a choice of fabric colors in design red, design black or design beige with an elegant contemporary pattern. Black leather remains available as a seating surface option through the comfort package on the passion coupe and cabriolet.

In addition to the new fabric, a new instrument panel for 2011 adds to the look of the high-class interior and underlines the attention to detail. The speedometer has a redesigned dial face with a contrasting dark central disc in the instrument cluster, a style carried throughout the dashboard instruments. The large display shows the fuel level, the gear engaged and the odometer. The driver can switch between the trip recorder and the exterior temperature indicator at the touch of a button. For 2011, the trim around the optional rev counter and clock on the dashboard is color coordinated to match the interior fabric color selection. The left and right-hand sides of the instrument panel frame a visual representation of the tridion safety cell structure.

The control unit for heating, air conditioning and ventilation has a central, ergonomic position at the top of the center console and is framed by two additional air vents. Slide controls regulate the fan levels and the temperature of the air conditioning.

The car's designers used the central space on the lower wing of the instrument panel to place ergonomically accessible control buttons for the seat heating, front fog lamps and central locking. The ignition lock is located behind the shift lever on the console rather than near the top of the instrument panel.

The 2011 smart fortwo maintains the amazing feeling of interior spaciousness that is comparable with that of a standard-size sedan. The suspended arrangement of the instrument panel conveys a roomy feeling and makes the interior of the smart fortwo unique. Customers getting behind the wheel for the first time are surprised at how easy it is to get in and out of the car and just how spacious the smart fortwo is inside. Even people well over six feet tall do not feel cramped because of the vast headroom. The passenger seat is positioned six inches further back than the driver's seat to give the passengers optimum shoulder room.

The vehicle's seats and head rests are well contoured and offer pleasant lateral support. The seats have a new integrated seat belt guide that swivels and rotates, allowing for a more simplified operation and greater comfort.The 2011 model offers a new fabric-covered folding driver's side armrest as an option. A lever under the seats allows for proper comfort adjustments. The seats can be adjusted to various positions on a nine-inch track.

For the first time in the United States, the three-spoke leather sport steering wheel has cruise control available as an option on all 2011 smart fortwo models. It is safe and easy to operate on the steering wheel for comfortable and relaxed driving. The cruise control package includes a trip computer which shows current fuel consumption, mileage and trip information on an easy-to-read multifunctional display in the instrument cluster. The threespoke steering wheel on the passion models features shift paddles on vehicles without the cruise control option.

Ambient lighting makes its debut on the 2011 model as an option to create a pleasant aura and enhance the sense of well-being in the vehicle interior during nighttime driving. Dimmable LED lights are fitted inside the car, one in each door pocket of the driver and passenger sides, three in the instrument panel, a console downlight in the trim of the headliner and two footwell lights.

Greater storage and ample hauling capacity

The 2011 smart fortwo offers new storage facilities, adding to the appeal as a car for everyday use. There is a new optional center console storage box in the lower section of the center console within easy reach of the driver and passenger. The glove compartment features a clip on the lid, painted in a matte chrome finish, to hold reminders or pictures on display, new for 2011.

All 2011 models also have new net seat pockets on the side bolsters between the seats to offer versatile storage space. Both doors have expandable nets for additional storage space. Additionally, the passion coupe and cabriolet with the entryline radio feature a standard chrome trimmed drawer below the radio operating unit which offers a useful storage space for small items such as coins, pens or other important items. The drawer is available as an option on the pure.

Large objects can be easily transported in a smart fortwo. The passenger seat reclines or can be folded forward into a horizontal position.

Given its compact size, it is amazing how much fits in the luggage compartment of the smart fortwo. There is more than enough room for everyday shopping, with 7.8 cubic feet of storage space. Customers who want to load their car to the roof have 12 cubic feet of space at their disposal.

The folding rear door is another advantage and can be used as an added surface. The new one-hand operation of the tailgate on the 2011 model is a further practical detail that enhances comfort. The tailgate opens as soon as one of the two release levers on the left or right hand side is pulled. The bottom section of the tailgate has storage space accessible via a lid. On the cabriolet, the roof bars can be stored in this special compartment. The loading space is particularly user-friendly with no edges to get in the way of the level surface. The twin-section tailgate requires very little space to open in tight parking spaces.

Cutting edge communication and entertainment systems

The 2011 smart fortwo features new cutting edge communication and entertainment systems to take the fun of driving the smart to the next level.

All passion models come standard with the new smart entryline radio which features an RDS AM/FM radio and a USB and AUX port for an MP3 or CD player. Navigation through the menu functions is simple with the large three-linedisplay and the iPod integrator allows for operation of the device using radio controls. The smart entryline radio is available as an option on the pure.

The new smart highline radio, optional on the passion models, is a versatile multimedia system with a large 6.5- inch touch screen display, an integrated navigation system with perspective map display and Bluetooth handsfree system. The touch screen enables intuitive and convenient operation of the RDS AM/FM radio, CD/DVD player, and Bluetooth hands-free function for mobile phones and navigation. The system also features an iPod and USB interface that allows users to manage the music on their iPod or USB stick using the touch screen. Additionally, videos and pictures can be fed to the system via the SD card slot.

The 2011 smart fortwo also offers a new optional surround sound system for a superior listening experience. It boasts exceptional sound for this class. The impressive sound system is powered by a multi-channel digital amplifier with perfectly matched tweeters in the mirror triangles, mid-range speakers in the doors, rear-fills in the B-pillars and a subwoofer under the driver's seat. The surround sound system is only available on the passion models as an option.

The colors

The smart fortwo features the two-color concept characteristic of the brand. In 2011, a larger range of colors is available for the changeable bodypanels, providing an even more striking appearance. Customers can now choose from seven exterior colors instead of the previous six – including a trendy green matte finish. Green matte and light blue metallic join deep black, crystal white, rally red, silver metallic and gray metallic to the color lineup. Blue metallic has been retired. All models come standard with a black tridion safety cell with matching door mirror trim and radiator grill. A silver tridion safety cell is available as an option, also with matching door mirror trim and radiator grill.

The safety features of the 2011 smart fortwo:

Safe for real life: More airbags and esp® as standard

The smart fortwo is a car designed with a high level of safety and technology by the safety experts of Mercedes-Benz Cars and meets very strict internal requirements. It is a trendsetter in terms of safety developments in small cars. The smart fortwo has been subjected to extensive crash and safety tests, and meets all federal motor vehicle safety standards.

The smart fortwo vehicle safety design starts with the tridion safety cell, which is made of high strength steel. Its longitudinal and transverse members are designed to activate the crumple zone of the other vehicle involved in the crash and distribute the impact energy over the car's body. The front wheels are designed as part of the crumple zone and are supported by the side members during certain front impacts.

The metal body is additionally reinforced at strategically important points with high-strength steel. Further panel stiffening also has been integrated. For example, the side skirts have solid reinforcements reaching from wheelhouse to wheelhouse that offer added protection in the event of a side impact. A small additional bulkhead bolted into the B-pillar has the same function. A double plate made of high-strength steel in the floor supports the pedals and protects the driver's feet. Connecting plates in the cross members distribute impact energy in a targeted manner.

The smart fortwo has a wide front bumper, and crash boxes that are bolted to the tridion safety cell, which enables them to be replaced, inexpensively, in the event of a minor collision.

The high seating position offers advantages in an offset frontal impact and side impact. The engine, tank and starter battery are housed in impact-protected zones, which provides additional protection to the interior. The rear-mounted engine absorbs impact energy in a targeted manner in the event of a rear crash. The crash management system at the rear also features two crash boxes, and the bumpers in the smart fortwo are made of steel.

More airbags for greater protection

The 2011 smart fortwo increases vehicle occupant safety with the addition of standard knee bolster airbags to all models and standard window curtain airbags for both the pure and passion coupes. All 2011 smart fortwo coupes have eight airbags standard in the vehicle: full-size front airbags, side airbags, knee bolster airbags and window curtain airbags, each for driver and passenger. The passion cabriolet has six airbags standard: full-size front airbags, head/thorax (neck) side airbags and knee bolster airbags, each for driver and passenger. The new knee bolster airbags helps protect an occupant's knees and upper legs in a crash and better positions each occupant with the deployment of front airbags. The knee bolster airbags reduce forces applied to the pelvic area from the lap section of the seatbelt. The new window curtain airbags offer greater protection in side collisions.

The airbags in the smart fortwo are dual-stage that are activated according to the severity of the impact. To predict the severity of an accident better and activate the front airbags earlier in certain types of impact, the smart fortwo has two additional satellite sensors in the front-end structure. The passenger airbag (volume: 34 gallons) is located at the top of the instrument panel. It is only triggered when certain parameters are fulfilled and an adult is detected in the passenger seat.

Belt tensioners and belt-force limiters are standard features in the smart fortwo. In case of a frontal impact greater than a defined level of severity, the belt tensioners activate to reduce safety belt slack in a matter of milliseconds. The belt force-limiter is designed to reduce the forces on the occupants by permitting additional belt slack thereby allowing the occupants to decelerate at a reduced rate.

The passenger seat offers an additional safety function when a child seat is fitted. After the belt strap has been fully extended, the belt locks in the desired position when retracted. It can then no longer be loosened, but only pulled tightly. This child seat function is deactivated when the seat belt is fully retracted again. To fix any additional belts (top tether) on the child seat, the smart fortwo has a special anchor point on a cross member in the floor.

esp® and abs standard

Seat belts and airbags are great at protecting occupants in a crash, and the advanced safety of electronic stability program (esp®) can help avoid crashes. The smart fortwo comes equipped with esp® as standard equipment. The system enables the smart fortwo to follow the course set by the driver using selective brake intervention and throttling of the engine power in order to stabilize the vehicle when hazardous conditions are detected. In addition, esp® also offers important features including; traction control system, brake assist, differential lock and hill start assist. The latter prevents the vehicle from rolling backwards while on a slope.

Furthermore, the anti-lock braking system (abs) is integrated in the esp®.The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that esp® reduces the risk of fatal single-vehicle crashes by more than 50 percent.

abs prevents the wheels from locking during emergency braking and comes as standard equipment on the smart fortwo. This allows the smart to remain controllable in critical driving situations. The hydraulic brake assist automatically initiates controlled emergency braking as soon as the electronics register that the driver has pressed the brake pedal quickly, but not firmly enough. The brake assist function helps reduce the car's braking distance.

Side crash

Sitting approximately eight inches higher than in a comparable small car usually means better protection in a carto-car impact. Thanks to the design of the tridion safety cell, passengers are usually above the danger zone in
the event of a side-impact collision.

The smart's wheels perform a safety function as well. If the smart fortwo is hit from the side, its compact design is of considerable advantage. Thanks to the smart's relatively short wheelbase of 73.5 inches, the other car will almost always hit an axle, which can then absorb part of the impact energy.

Side satellite sensors can detect a side crash at an early stage and report this to the airbag control mechanism - this in turn triggers the head/thorax side airbags. These airbags are housed in the side supports of the seats and protect the upper part of the body and the head. The door frames are made of steel and have solid crossbracing supports. The seat shells, too, are even sturdier than in the predecessor model. All interior trims have been enhanced to further reduce the risk of occupant injury.

Rain/light sensor

Previously only available as part of a package, rain/light sensor is available on the 2011 smart fortwo as a standalone option. The sensor detects daylight and will automatically turn on headlights at a certain level of darkness, while the windshield wipers are automatically activated at the first sign of rain.

To view the complete press release, please download the PDF file.