smart fortwo sees red in Paris

The current smart fortwo is going to go out in a flash of color as the "edition red" makes its debut at the Paris Motor Show.

The monochrome edition red is doused in copious amounts of "intensive red" paint and similarly, the interior is also touched up in the firey tone. As for the rest of the tiny passenger cabin, it gets the luxo-treatment with fancy-stitch leather and Alcantara surface coverings, aluminum pedals, an aftermarket-looking shifter, A/C, and an MP3-ready audio system.

Motivation comes from the BRABUS smart's more robust 75-horsepower engine and accordingly, the body is decked out with the tuner's familiar 16" rims, a muscular front spoiler, and a sport muffler. The edition red will be available in coupe and cabrio bodystyles, both of which will be visible from outer space thanks to smart's arresting paint scheme.

The next-generation fortwo will debut in the spring and smart tells us that what's left of the current generation model is practically sold out.

(Pics, press release after the jump)

[Source: DaimlerChrysler]



PRESS RELEASE:

Before the fortwo successor model becomes available in the spring of 2007, the smart fortwo edition red will be offered for sale as a final special model to mark the phase-out of the current model. The sporty two-seater will be exhibited at the Paris Motor Show (28 September – 08 October 2006).

The current smart fortwo model is already as good as sold out and it has achieved cult status within a very short space of time. Due to the high demand, production in Hambach, France, was increased once more at the beginning of this year. More than 750,000 vehicles have been delivered to customers since the market launch in October 1998.

The smart fortwo edition red is just as sporty as it looks: the BRABUS engine has a power output of 55 kW (75 bhp). 16 inch alloy wheels, a front spoiler and sports rear muffler further underline the sporty appearance. And as the name says, the tridion safety cell and bodypanels are painted in "intensive red".

Leather and Alcantara with elaborately stitched seams dominate in the interior of the smart fortwo edition red. Special contrast components in "intensive red" and aluminium pedals add to the exclusive look. Air conditioning and an audio system with an MP3 interface are also part of the package. The smart fortwo edition red is available as a coupé or a cabrio and costs € 20,995 and € 23,695 respectively.