VERY interesting next gen fortwo and forfour news!

[rfernatt]

Here's a couple very interesting tidbits on the next gen fortwo and forfour. Some very promising news, IMHO: can you say 7-speed dual clutch transmission?!? These are just the kind of developments that smartUSA needs to generate some new interest beyond the fortwo if it all pans out as reported. From the spy photo, it looks like the width is going to increase as well or we'll be sporting some serious fender flares.

Report: Renault and Mercedes to team up on small car platform

According to a report in UK magazine AutoCar, Mercedes-Benz and Renault are planning to collaborate on a new modular micro-car platform. The new architecture would form the basis of the next generation of Smart cars as well as the new Twizzy electric vehicle from Renault. Like the current Smart ForTwo, the new platform will be rear engine and rear wheel drive but it will be able to accomodate a stretched wheelbase for a new ForFour. The two seater would arrive in 2013 and the four seater a year later. The last ForFour was actually a completely different front wheel drive car based on a Mitsubishi platform. Mercedes is developing all new three cylinder gas and diesel engines for the next Smarts and could also supply those to Renault. The thoroughly unloved semi-automatic gearbox in today's ForTwo is expected to be supplanted by a new 7-speed dual clutch unit. Finally Mercedes will carry on with electric drive versions of the Smart but it is unknown if they will collaborate with Renault on electric systems.

2012 Smart for-two spy pics

While the standard Smart would remain a pure two-seater, the Smart fortwo+2 would have rear doors, making access into the tiny rear at least somewhat easier. An additional model would make the Smart range a bit more competitive with base-level city cars like the Chevy Spark, and more premium vehicles, like the Audi A1 and the rumoured BMW Isetta.

Both new Smarts will stay as a rear-wheel-drive, keeping the engine below the floor of the boot. The added length for the backseat in the four-seater will come from an elongated wheelbase.

Rumour also says the cars will be available with several engine options, a passive hybrid, and perhaps even a full electric motor when sales commence in early 2012.

[forestacademy]

Hopefully it will share some parts with the current smart, unlike the 450's and 451's that share almost no parts

[Big Panda]

Mechanically it sounds great, especially the 7sp dual clutch gearbox.

BUT I hope for everyones sake that they just don't plan on sticking some fender flares on the current 451 to compensate for the wider track.

That looks like something they would do up at Purdue!







j/k PD.....or am I?

[John_H]

Don't the tires liook like they're the same size front and rear? The wider track may address the elk test without designing in understeer through mismatched tires.

It just looks wrong.

[BigWarpGuy]

Is it the tires or the rims around them that made it look odd or wrong?

[John_H]

To me, either element alone or in combination just doesn't feel right. It's like when the jeep wrangler went from a narrow wheelbase to something wider - the first year or two it was awkward.

[rfernatt]

A different timeline than we've heard previously... And, a different angle on the testing mule.

The Fortwo is expected to arrive in showrooms late next year with the four-seater arriving by 2012. Both cars will be available with a wide range of engine options, and will likely include a hybrid and an electric version.

Smart Fortwo grows up

[Big Panda]

Originally Posted by rfernatt

Does that include this 4x4 model in the pic?

[jwight]

The DSG is currently an $1,100 option on the VW Jetta, and comes with a 40K mile maintenance requirement. This service runs $400 and upwards depending on the dealer service rate. So, expect something similar for the cost of the "new" smart with a DSG transmission.

http://www.volkswagenag.com/vwag/vwc...%2008_engl.pdf

VW Audi DSG S-tronic FAQ

[rfernatt]

Originally Posted by Big Panda

Does that include this 4x4 model in the pic?

Hey, that's a muddin' 4x4 and those are some GREAT mudflaps!

Originally Posted by jwight

The DSG is currently an $1,100 option on the VW Jetta, and comes with a 40K mile maintenance requirement. This service runs $400 and upwards depending on the dealer service rate. So, expect something similar for the cost of the "new" smart with a DSG transmission.

Ugh... Didn't know DSGs were so expensive to maintain.