Geneva 2008: smart fortwo limited two and smart navigation guide

click to enlarge and enter a gallery of the smart limited two

With some new shiny paint and only 2,000 vehicles destined to be made, the new smart limited two was unveiled today at the Geneva Motor Show. The limited two will be available with special features like "cognac brown" leater interior and matte silver hilghlights in the dashboard. Outside, the limited two gets a special "light blue metallic" finish that was created just for this version of the smart. Other new variants of the smart fortwo include a 52 kW/71 bhp petrol engine with the micro hybrid (start/stop) drive and a smart fortwo cdi that uses state-of-the-art common rail direct injection for CO2 emissions of just 88 grams per km and 71 mpg (U.S.). Mercedes has also announced a fortwo-specific navigation device called the "portable smart navigation system II." Full details after the jump.

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New smart edition at the Geneva Motor Show: The edition limited two - stylish, individual and limited

Geneva
, Mar 04, 2008

At the 78th International Motor Show in Geneva a further special edition of the successful smart fortwo is celebrating its world premiere. The "edition limited two" will be produced as a limited series of 2000 vehicles and is characterised by exclusive colouring and a high quality mix of materials - on both the outside and the inside. In addition, smart is presenting three further current variants of the unique two-seater: thanks to an innovative start/stop function, the smart fortwo micro hybrid drive (mhd) consumes 8 percent less fuel on average (NEDC), greatly reducing CO2 emissions. The smart fortwo cdi uses state-of-the-art common rail direct injection to achieve exemplary consumption figures. With average consumption of 3.3 litres per 100 kilometres (NEDC) and CO2 emissions of just 88 grams per kilometre it has the lowest standard consumption worldwide, earning it the title "CO2 champion" amongst series production cars. The smart fortwo BRABUS is a particularly powerful and sporty model and is also available as the further upgraded BRABUS Xclusive.

The "edition limited two" is guaranteed to turn heads thanks to its eye-catching appearance. The interior features clear lines and fine details. Elegant cognac brown leather with a two-tone contrasting seam sets the tone here and gives it a personal note. From the heated leather seats, interior door trim, 3-spoke leather sports steering wheel with paddle gearshift to the leather gear knob and the leather-trimmed floor mats – everything appears in a warm brown tone. Additional matt silver highlights on the speedometer, cockpit clock, rev counter and steering wheel provide a harmonious contrast and round off the modern character. In this way, the style of the smart fortwo is maintained and developed in impressive fashion.

A highlight of the exterior is the special "light blue metallic" finish that was created especially for the "edition limited two". The paintwork shimmers with silver-beige nuances depending on the prevailing light conditions. The clear silver of the tridion safety cell sets off the panelling to perfection. And the 6-spoke alloy wheels with wide tyres demonstrate that elegance and dynamism are not mutually exclusive.

The new edition is available as a coupé and a cabriolet and is based on the "passion" equipment variant. Among other things it comes with the automatic softouch gear mode, electric windows, air conditioning with automatic temperature control, a dust and pollen filter and a panoramic roof with sunblind on the coupé. In addition, the standard equipment of the "edition limited two" includes dashboard instruments and the radio 9. Electric power steering, a lockable glove compartment, the smart sound system with five high-quality loudspeakers and the smart MP3 interface are available on request as optional equipment.

The two-seater is powered by a 52 kW/71 bhp petrol engine in combination with automated 5-speed transmission and an automatic gear programme which also allows manual gear shifting if desired.

smart fortwo micro hybrid drive with start/stop function
The smart fortwo micro hybrid drive (mhd) rated at 52 kW/71bhp is a particularly economical variant. This is thanks to a new sophisticated start/stop function that automatically shuts down the engine when fuel would otherwise be unnecessarily consumed – for example in stop and go traffic. The principle is simple and fully automatic: when the vehicle approaches red traffic lights, for example, the micro hybrid drive switches off the engine as soon the car falls below a speed of 8 km/h and the brake pedal is pressed. The engine starts again as soon as the driver releases the brake pedal. This guarantees an immediate response. If required, the start/stop function can be deactivated at any time with a switch on the centre console.

Together with the automated manual transmission that is a standard feature, the new start/stop technology guarantees comfortable and straightforward driving with reduced fuel consumption. The new technology pays off - studies have shown that in everyday traffic vehicles come to a stop on average every 1.3 kilometres.
In conjunction with slightly modified gear ratios, the start/stop system leads to a fuel saving of approximately 8 percent in the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC combined). The standard consumption is reduced by approximately 0.4 litres – from 4.7 litres to around 4.3 litres per 100 kilometres. There is also a corres-ponding reduction to the average CO2 emissions from 112 grams to approx. 103 grams per kilometre. Depending on the traffic situation, much higher fuel savings of up to 19 percent are possible - for example in heavy slow traffic.
At the heart of the start/stop system is a belt-driven starter generator. This replaces and does the work of both the conventional starter and the alternator. The belt-driven starter generator supplies the vehicle's electrical system with power and it also starts the petrol engine particularly quickly in its second function as a starter.
Control unit with integrated power electronics

A control unit that is installed behind the battery recess controls the function of the start/stop system. Integrated power electronics control the power of both the starter and the generator. An AGM battery stores the energy for the on-board electrics. Its physical properties make it more resistant to varying loaded and unloaded conditions (cycle resistant) than conventional lead-acid batteries with sulphuric acid electrolyte.

smart fortwo cdi: The CO2 champion - a masterpiece of engine development
With the development of the direct-injection diesel engine, smart has produced
a masterpiece of engine development that earns the smart fortwo cdi the distinction of the world's most economical production car with combustion drive. The 33 kW/45 bhp two-door car consumes just 3.3 litres (NEDC) per 100 kilometres on average which means that it can travel approximately 1000 kilometres without refuelling. Emitting just 88 grams of CO2 per kilometre, the smart fortwo diesel is the world champion in low CO2 emissions amongst series production cars.

High-tech fuel injection
State-of-the-art common-rail direct injection provides for a combustion process that is even more efficient than that of the well-proven cdi engine from the predecessor model. High injection pressure of up to 1600 bar (previously 1350 bar) is built up, even at low revs, and the fuel is injected into the combustion chambers with new seven-hole injectors. The power and torque have each improved by 10 percent. At the same time, fuel consumption is reduced by 13 percent. Depending on the driving situation and engine load, up to 60 percent of the previously cooled exhaust gases are returned to the combustion chambers.

Like the CDI engines of its sister brand Mercedes-Benz, fuel injection in the smart fortwo cdi is carried out in two phases: a few milliseconds before the main injection a small quantity of diesel is injected into the combustion chambers where it ignites and preheats the cylinders. This results in a noticeably quieter combustion noise level than an engine without this pilot injection. The electronic "brain" of the cdi engine - a high-performance micro-computer that controls the whole engine system - calculates how much fuel is needed and the interval at which pilot injection and main injection take place.

The quick response of the cdi engine is first and foremost thanks to the compact turbocharger that is housed in the exhaust manifold. Its compressor wheel has a diameter of just 33 millimetres, yet it rotates at up to 280,000 rpm and builds up maximum charge pressure of approximately 1200 millibars even at an engine speed of 1800 rpm. This enables the three-cylinder engine to develop impressive torque, even at low revs: 85 Newton metres are available even from 1500 rpm - more than three quarters of the maximum torque. This torque curve plays an important part in the fun behind the wheel that drivers experience with every kilometre driven in a smart fortwo cdi. The new smart fortwo cdi thus offers a combination of agility, economy and environmental compatibility that is unique in this class.

smart fortwo BRABUS and BRABUS Xclusive: Driving fun and environmental awareness
The sporty character of the smart fortwo BRABUS is apparent at first glance. For example, it comes with bright-finish "Monoblock VI" alloy wheels with wide tyres measuring 175/50 R 16 at the front and 225/35 R 17 at the rear, a sports exhaust system with centrally positioned stainless steel tailpipes and a body that has been lowered by ten millimetres. In the interior, cockpit instruments with specially designed dials, BRABUS stainless steel sports pedals and a three-spoke leather steering wheel with shift paddles underline the exclusiveness of this model. The transmission and suspension also have a sporty setup.

The smart fortwo BRABUS Xclusive lives up to its name with additional equipment details such as projection headlamps with titanium coloured surrounds, a front spoiler with enlarged air inlets, striking side skirts and a rear apron painted in the colour of the body.The seats are covered with fine leather and are heated. The leather-effect instrument panel features aluminium-look trim components.

Three-cylinder engine with turbo power: 72 kW/98 bhp and 140 Newton metres of torque
The turbo engine that has been improved in numerous details is the heart of the smart fortwo BRABUS and BRABUS Xclusive. From a capacity of one litre the three-cylinder engine now develops 72 kW/98 bhp at 5500 rpm and lends the 780 kilogram (coupé) two-seater remarkable agility. The weight/power ratio is just 7.8 kg/bhp – 24 percent lower than that of the predecessor.

The turbo engine develops maximum torque of 140 Newton metres at 3500 rpm. The BRABUS variants of the smart fortwo sprint from zero to 100 km/h in 9.9 seconds and reach an electronically limited top speed of 155 km/h. With combined fuel consumption of just 5.2 litres per 100 kilometres the new smart fortwo BRABUS and BRABUS Xclusive are some of the most economical cars in their size and power category. Carbon dioxide emissions stand at just 124 grams per kilometre.


Portable smart navigation system II for the smart fortwo: Smart guide through the concrete jungle

Stuttgart, Mar 04, 2008

The smart fortwo's savvy concept is designed for the city. Mercedes-Benz Accessories GmbH is now offering a new guide for the nimble two-seater that enables smart fortwo drivers to find their way through the urban maze of an unfamiliar city. The "portable smart navigation system II" is as extraordinary as the smart principle itself: with its optimum integration into the car, clear voice output and high-resolution TFT colour monitor, it makes mobile navigation a joy. With its state-of-the-art design it not only boasts shameless good looks, but also fits perfectly into the interior of the smart fortwo.

Smart solution for a smart car: the portable smart navigation system II is attached directly to the instrument panel by means of a special mount. The optimum ergonomic positioning on the dashboard enables a perfect view of the monitor. The touchscreen system is also easy to operate thanks to the large, logically aligned buttons. The clearly structured menu operation doesn't keep you guessing, either.

What's more, the smart mount provides significant advantages in terms of safety over standard retrofitted solutions with a suction-cup fixing. Before its release the device was tested in accordance with smart's rigorous safety requirements and it remains safely in its mount both on front and rear impact.

Hear, hear: the spoken directions come out of the car's speakers
A further benefit is that the system is integrated into the car's electronics system, enabling countless additional comfort-enhancing functions. The suggested routes are announced with voice instructions from the car speakers. The radio switches over automatically, meaning that the driver can always hear the information clearly. Further, as the device is fixed to the instrument panel, it is always connected to the power supply (when the ignition is on) and is therefore always ready for use - a further intelligent detailed solution à la smart.

The portable smart navigation system II was developed in cooperation with the US manufacturer Garmin, one of the most renowned producers of mobile navigation devices with many years of experience in the car, motorcycle, yacht, off-road and outdoor sectors.

Nifty flatscreen: the large monitor is both the screen and the operating panel
A range of well-conceived details facilitate orientation without demanding too much of the driver - typically smart. This includes the zoomable or three-dimensional map display that provides different perspectives on the street. On particularly blind bends the system automatically switches to the optimum display mode. The device also has automatic day and night adjustment. An additional function enables the driver to vary the brightness individually.
The high-resolution, anti-reflection and high-contrast widescreen colour monitor measures 4.3 inches (10.9 centimetres) diagonally and thus offers a considerably greater viewing and operating area than standard devices. With a depth of just 2.0 centimetres the smart system is one of the flattest units on the market. It can be integrated into the car in no time and is immediately ready for use. If it is not required it can be removed just as quickly and can be carried with you in the supplied bag. There is no better protection against theft than that.

It's a matter of principle: smart drivers do not sit in traffic jams
To prevent smart fortwo drivers from unnecessarily wasting time in traffic jams, the system has a "traffic-jam avoidance function". The unit receives the necessary TMC (Traffic Message Channel) signals via the car's radio antenna, guaranteeing optimum reception. For the quickest possible drive home the portable smart navigation system II also incorporates the "home function": a push of a button is all you need and the most direct route to your pre-programmed destination is located. If you want to take in a particular shopping address or drop in on friends for an espresso, you can enter an intermediate location as an additional function.

In acoustic terms the new device never leaves its users in the dark. The smart system's voice directions are even more precise than many mobile retrofittable solutions on the market. Thanks to the "text-to-speech" function the electronic guide always issues clear and unambiguous directions. The hi-tech device further not only knows the street names, but also the turn-off points ("At the second road on the left turn into Königsallee").

Sauntering through Europe: over two million meeting points for smart drivers
Mobility without borders: the unit stores detailed road data for 33 European countries. As well as comprehensive maps, over two million "points of interest" are stored. These include petrol stations, hotels and tourist attractions as well as restaurants and bars. As an additional, exclusive service the driver can find the addresses of the smart Service Centers in Europe under the "smart dealers" section. The system also incorporates an integrated MP3 player and a Bluetooth® interface.

The price of the device including mount and 19% VAT is EUR 539 plus fitting costs in Germany. The portable smart navigation system II will be available from all smart Centers in the second quarter of 2008.

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

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