Autoblog

Smart ForFour prototype spotted alongside next-gen ForTwo

Seyth Miersma — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Budget, Hatchback, Smart

Smart is continuing to test its upcoming ForFour (seen above) model and the replacement for the ForTwo (pictured at the right), this time doing some cold-weather work in Sweden.

As we've reported previously, the ForFour is an all-new vehicle, and it will have more in common with the smaller ForTwo than the short-lived last model that was co-developed with Mitsubishi. This ForFour is instead a collaborative project with Renault, and could spawn what will ultimately become the new Renault Twingo. Some reports have it that Renault is no longer interested in the Smart partnership, but the fact that these testers were wearing French plates and were spotted caravanning with a French-registered Dacia Duster adds a bit of circumstantial evidence that the match is intact.

The new ForTwo was also spied in these snowy environs. The two-seater is expected to be ready to roll before the ForFour - likely coming to market in 2014. The ForFour, meanwhile, might not show up until 2015.

Take a closer look at the ForFour and the ForTwo, in our galleries of spied photos.

Smart ForFour prototype spotted alongside next-gen ForTwo originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Feb 2013 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Next-gen Smart lineup growing to three models

Jeffrey N. Ross — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 13:31:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Smart

Still in the testing phases of the next-generation Smart Fortwo and the new Forfour model, Smart could also be planning a new crossover to reach into a more mainstream vehicle segment. According to Auto Express, soon after the redesigned Fortwo arrives in 2014, the Smart lineup will grow to include the other two models by 2015.

As expected, the renderings of the new Fortwo, Forfour and the unnamed Smart SUV are inspired heavily by recent concepts like the 2011 Forvision Concept and the 2012 Forstars Concept (pictured above). One interesting note is that Auto Express says both the Fortwo and Forfour will offer a removable tablet as a center stack display screen. The report says that while these cars were developed alongside the Renault Twingo, the French automaker will only be using the larger of the two hatchbacks for its new model.

This, reportedly, won't be the only tie up between Daimler and Nissan-Renault, though, as Smart also looks to add a new crossover based on the next-generation Nissan Juke, which could arrive by late 2015.

Next-gen Smart lineup growing to three models originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Dec 2012 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2015 Smart ForFour caught in early testing

Jeffrey N. Ross — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Budget, Hatchback, Smart

In the U.S., we've come to know the Smart brand just for its ForTwo, but other markets have seen a wider variety of models from the Daimler brand including the Smart ForFour that was produced from 2004 through 2006. This bigger vehicle from Smart added two extra doors and a rear seat for some passenger space. While we've already seen spy photos for the next ForTwo, judging by these spy shots of a stretched-wheelbase test mule, Smart is hard at work developing a next-generation ForFour as well.

Although the previous ForFour was a result of a collaboration between Daimler and Mitsubishi, the new model is going to be a venture between Daimler and Nissan/Renault. Under the Penske ownership, it was announced that the new Smart B-segment car would be based on the Nissan Micra (which was later scrapped), but we hear that this car will actually ride on a new platform that will eventually be the basis for the next Renault Twingo. Like the current and upcoming ForTwo, the 2015 ForFour will be a rear-engine/rear-wheel-drive car.

While we don't have any information as to what will power the new Smart ForFour, we can almost guarantee that it (along with the new ForTwo) will have a styling that will be very similar to recent Smart concept cars like the ForStars, For-Us and ForVision. The new ForTwo is expected to go on sale in 2014 with the bigger ForFour hitting dealers a year later.

2015 Smart ForFour caught in early testing originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Oct 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Daimler, Renault-Nissan alliance could be announced Wednesday

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 14:28:00 EST

Filed under: Nissan, Smart, Earnings/Financials, Renault

According to an unnamed source speaking to Reuters, the Renault board of directors has called an extraordinary meeting on Tuesday, April 6th, to discuss plans to enter into an agreement with German automaker Daimler. As was the case when Renault teamed up with Japanese automaker Nissan, there will reportedly be an exchange of stock, but not nearly at the same level as Renault's 44-percent stake in Nissan.

If the board chooses to move forward - and all indications are that it will - an announcement could be made as early as Wednesday detailing the partnership. It's widely thought that Daimler is keenly interested in Renault's small car expertise for its less-than-wildly-successful Smart car division, and it seems increasingly likely that the two automakers could jointly develop new city car platforms. Might a more family-friendly ForFour (previous generation seen above) be in the offing as rumored? Stay tuned.

[Source: Reuters]

Report: Daimler, Renault-Nissan alliance could be announced Wednesday originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Apr 2010 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Smart move? Daimler reportedly teams with Renault for next-gen minicar

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 09:27:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Budget, Minivan/Van, Sedan, Hatchback, Nissan, Smart, Renault, Electric

2009 Smart Fortwo - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Daimler brain trust of Dieter Zetsche and Thomas Weber has reportedly struck a deal with Renault/Nissan to develop its next generation of minicars due out in 2014 or so. As you would expect, Daimler will get a new Smart Fortwo out of the deal while the Franco-Japanese conglomerate will use the design for unknown future models that could bear both the Nissan and Renault nameplates.

According to Automobile Magazine, Daimler insisted on retaining the Smart brand's trademark rear-engine and rear-wheel drive configuration, which was somewhat understandably met with some trepidation by Renault. Also held over will likely be the steel safety cage design with interchangeable plastic body panels so the resulting vehicles will be safe and easily distinguishable from each other.

Not surprisingly, electric powertrains will be part of the mix, along with a newly developed 1.0-liter direct injected three-cylinder engine and a duo of 1.3- and 1.5-liter fours. The modular chassis may also be lengthened in order to spawn a new four-seat Fourfour and a taller Formore micro-minivan with sliding doors.

Gallery: Review: 2009 Smart ForTwo

[Source: Automobile Magazine]

Smart move? Daimler reportedly teams with Renault for next-gen minicar originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Feb 2010 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes partnering with Renault to develop new-gen Smart Forfour?

Xavier Navarro — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 17:58:00 EST

According to Germany's Manager-Magazin, Mercedes-Benz has approached Renault about cooperating in the development of a new small car. Although conversations have just started, it seems that Smart could once again have a four-seat car in its lineup.

This would be the second attempt to develop such a model, after the original sales flop of the ForFour. That model, shown above, was c-odeveloped with Mitsubishi and shared the Colt's underpinnings. Rumors about such new model are not new, but the German publication points that the company's strategy relies on selling more subcompact premium cars. Developing the new A and B Class models can be pursued as an in-house development, but the family Smart would apparently require a partner.

[Source: Manager-Magazin]

Mercedes partnering with Renault to develop new-gen Smart Forfour? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Jul 2009 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DCX to redo SMART car before U.S. debut

John Neff — Tue, 11 Jul 2006 07:07:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Budget, Europe, Hatchback, Smart

The SMART car lineup has been trimmed from three models to just one after the cancellation of the forfour and roadster models. So the future profitability of the brand rests on the tiny fenders of the fortwo, which will be coming to the U.S. in 2008. WhatCar? is reporting that the tiny two-seater will be rehashed before it makes its American debut. As you can see from this rendering, the overall look may be largely unchanged, with the biggest difference being the new headlights and front fascia. WhatCar?, however, calls the next fortwo "all-new", so perhaps DaimlerChrysler will be substantially revamping the car inside and out in an effort to make it more appealing to U.S. tastes.

[Source: WhatCar?

DCX to redo SMART car before U.S. debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Jul 2006 07:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SMART forfour production ends - Mitsubishi and DaimlerChrysler part ways

John Neff — Sun, 02 Jul 2006 11:36:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Plants/Manufacturing, Daimler, Mitsubishi, Smart

The end of June saw the end of production for the SMART forfour that was produced through a joint collaboration between Mitsubishi and DaimlerChrysler. The forfour was produced at Mitsusbishi's facility in the Netherlands where the Colt will continue to be made. An engine plant in Germany that was jointly operated by both companies will be handed over to DaimlerChrysler.

While SMART has information on the fortwo, forfour and Roadster on its website, the brand will be down to just one car, the fortwo, with the exit of the forfour. The Roadster Finale currently being sold is a special edition model to mark the end of that car's production run.

[Source: Mitsubishi]

SMART forfour production ends - Mitsubishi and DaimlerChrysler part ways originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 02 Jul 2006 11:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DaimlerChrysler wants Smart fourfour engines all to itself

Chris Paukert — Sat, 22 Apr 2006 07:06:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Plants/Manufacturing, Hatchback, Daimler, Smart

DaimlerChrysler intends to take full ownership of the joint-venture plant with Mitsubishi that produces engines for the Smart forfour and the Mitsubishi Colt.

As it stands, ownership of the eastern Germany facility is a 50-50 split between DCX and Mitsubishi, but it is likely that plans to stop forfour production have led to the Federal Cartel Office application to take over 100 percent. The two companies are still going back-and-forth over remunerations as a result of the Smart's demise, as the agreement had been scheduled to run until 2010.

[Sources: MarketWatch; Smart]

DaimlerChrysler wants Smart fourfour engines all to itself originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 22 Apr 2006 07:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SMART ForFour to be around no more?

Chris Paukert — Sat, 25 Mar 2006 12:31:00 EST

Filed under: Tuners, Truck, Europe, Plants/Manufacturing, Hatchback, Smart, Earnings/Financials

DaimlerChrysler has felled the axe on the SMART ForFour. The Netherlands-assembled four door built in conjunction with Mitsubishi Motors will go by the wayside as part of the brand's 1 billion Euro ($1.2B USD) restructuring effort.

The unusual-for-a-Saturday announcement heralding the demise of the ForFour means that a second model is exiting SMART showrooms (the SMART Roadster has just been sold to Project Kimber), leaving the original micro-sized ForTwo to soldier on alone.

DCX announced earlier this month that it expects to level Smart's serially-red balance sheets in 2007.

[Source: Reuters UK and SMART]

SMART ForFour to be around no more? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 25 Mar 2006 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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