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I found this article on my Facebook and I thought I would share it with you:
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The Smart is growing up! This exclusive spy picture shows a 1:4 scale model of a next generation Smart ForTwo with an extended wheelbase, allowing for an extra set of doors and seats.
The new model, which is likely to be known as the Fortwo+2, won't be available on the current line-up, but will only be introduced once the next generation Smart Fortwo goes on sale early in 2012.
It will debut along with an all-new look previewed by this early clay model. Some trademark Smart styling touches remain, including the contrasting Tridon safety-cell, but there's a fresh front end design which includes a new grill and narrower headlights.
The new Fortwo will be longer and wider than the current model, helping to boost space in the cabin and boot. The Fortwo+2 pictured here boasts a pair of rear-hinged doors to improve access to the rear seats but these could be dropped in favour of more traditional units for the production model.
The new Smart is amongst the first to be developed by Daimler side-by-side with the Renault-Nissan alliance which includes sharing three and four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. However the new model will still retain the rear-engined, rear-wheel drive layout of the original car.
One of the bug-bears of the current Smart – namely the jerky automatic gearbox – is likely to be replaced by a Renault-Nissan developed unit but at this stage it's unclear exactly what will take its place.
The next generation ForTwo will be revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September and should go on sale shortly afterwards for around £10,000. The Fortwo+2 will command a premium of around £2,000.
Source
The Smart is growing up! This exclusive spy picture shows a 1:4 scale model of a next generation Smart ForTwo with an extended wheelbase, allowing for an extra set of doors and seats.
The new model, which is likely to be known as the Fortwo+2, won't be available on the current line-up, but will only be introduced once the next generation Smart Fortwo goes on sale early in 2012.
It will debut along with an all-new look previewed by this early clay model. Some trademark Smart styling touches remain, including the contrasting Tridon safety-cell, but there's a fresh front end design which includes a new grill and narrower headlights.
The new Fortwo will be longer and wider than the current model, helping to boost space in the cabin and boot. The Fortwo+2 pictured here boasts a pair of rear-hinged doors to improve access to the rear seats but these could be dropped in favour of more traditional units for the production model.
The new Smart is amongst the first to be developed by Daimler side-by-side with the Renault-Nissan alliance which includes sharing three and four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. However the new model will still retain the rear-engined, rear-wheel drive layout of the original car.
One of the bug-bears of the current Smart – namely the jerky automatic gearbox – is likely to be replaced by a Renault-Nissan developed unit but at this stage it's unclear exactly what will take its place.
The next generation ForTwo will be revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September and should go on sale shortly afterwards for around £10,000. The Fortwo+2 will command a premium of around £2,000.
Source
Of course, this may be an early design that will evolve.
