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The striking new generation
smart fortwo, priced from £8,780
on the road, is now on sale.
A
host of enhancements ensure the
new smart is even more appealing
than its acclaimed predecessor,
providing significant
improvements in style, comfort,
CO2 emissions and
equipment.
The unmistakeable iconic looks
of the smart are strengthened
with the front and rear aprons,
side skirts and filler cap now
finished in body colour as
standard. The pulse
specification now benefits from
new eye-catching 3-double-spoke
alloy wheels and the Xclusive
has stylish new Monoblock VII
alloy wheels, while both pulse
and passion can now be specified
in the brighter shades of new
light blue and matt light green
colours.
In
addition, the practicality of
the coupé is heightened as it is
now possible to open the car’s
rear lower tailgate using just
one of its two release levers
rather than both as previously.
A
new upper dashboard design is
the most striking interior
change and the harmonious
styling of the full
fabric-covered instrument panel,
which houses restyled dials,
complements the improved fabric
and colour designs available for
the cockpit, seats and door
centre panels.
Adding to the sporty, dynamic
look of the pulse are fabric
seats with leather optic on the
side bolsters and headrests. In
common with the passion, the
pulse also has eye-catching
fabric elements in the
instrument panel, door trim and
knee pad that are colour
co-ordinated to the upholstery.
The passion line debuts a trio
of new fabric patterns – design
black, design red and design
beige.
All models now benefit from
extra storage in the shape of a
new glovebox design and useful
net pockets on seat side
bolsters. Both trim lines
receive new steering wheel
designs too, a 3-spoke leather
sports wheel with modified seam
stitching for the pulse and a
2-spoke leather item with matt
chrome bezel for the
comfort-themed passion.
Enhanced technology is another
feature of the new generation
smart’s interior. The pulse
model gains USB/iPod®
connectivity and passion and
Xclusive versions have the
feature-packed smart high line
audio and navigation system,
which has a large 6.5”
touchscreen display, RDS radio,
Bluetooth®, auxiliary
and USB ports, iPod®
interface and CD/DVD/SD
functionality.
The amazing performance of the
smart high line audio and
navigation system is core to the
advertising campaign for the new
generation smart, which
emphasises the way owners can
express themselves via their
choice of music and the smart’s
synergy with the city
environment.
Via online adverts, users can
search for any band or artist
and the track of their choice is
streamed through the banner. A
unique visual of a city built in
the style of a graphic equaliser
reacts in time to the beat and
users can ‘explore’ the shown
city and listen to as many
tracks as they like. They can
also request a test drive or
brochure direct from the advert.
The smart will also feature in
similarly-styled television and
cinema adverts.
The new generation smart
continues to use the same
cutting-edge engines as its
predecessor, with the popular
71bhp micro hybrid drive petrol
unit fitted with softip
transmission now emitting just
97g/km CO2 – an
improvement of 6g/km. This
development means the most
popular petrol and diesel
engines in the smart range now
fall below 100g/km CO2.
The emissions of the Xclusive
are also lowered to 119g/km and
a 7bhp increase sees the
stunning flagship model now
produce 102bhp and sprint from
0-62mph in 8.9 seconds – a whole
second quicker than before. The
whole smart range now emits less
than 120g/km CO2,
which makes all models exempt
from the cost of the annual road
fund licence for at least the
first year from registration.
Gary Savage, Managing Director
Mercedes-Benz Cars UK, said:
”The previous smart attracted a
whole new generation of
motorists to the brand when it
was launched in 2007 and the
advancements of the new model
are destined to further broaden
its appeal.
“The significant changes ensure
that the new smart continues to
be at the forefront of its
sector when it comes to comfort,
style and
environmental-compatibility, yet
do not detract from the car’s
unique fun-to-drive nature that
has captivated over 60,000
motorists since the smart was
officially launched in the UK
over 10 years ago.”
News provided by
www.electric-smart-car.co.uk
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