If "traditional smart b-pillar" means what I think it means, then we can definitely conclude that a Tridion Cell will be present on both models.

Shame about the forfour.

 

If "traditional smart b-pillar" means what I think it means, then we can definitely conclude that a Tridion Cell will be present on both models.

 

Yeah, that's why I'm not certain...

The B-Pillar on a fortwo is the Tridion Cell, the B-Pillar on the forfour would be the pillar dividing the doors.

 

Companies allow lightly disguised pre-production models to be photographed before the car's formal debut -- partly to prepare everyone for final solution.

When finally introduced, the Twingo 3 hardly diverged from the final vinyl-wrapped pre-production models that circulated heavily:

This is what the Fortwo final pre-production Fortwo looks like, wrapped. I doubt the final version will diverge from these models... at all.

It's very easy to see what the final pillar configuration will be:

And without a doubt, the rear lights will be single and not double:

The grille will no doubt have elements of what's visible on the pre-production models.

I'm not fond of the wheels, but the wheels will assuredly be four-bolt. Wheels like that on the build series would be an interesting departure.

 

I like the looks of the 4 door Twingo. Hope the next smart is more stylist.

 

Holy smokes, are those DeDion tubes?????

 

Certainly looks like it

 

Holy cow, Neon! Are you examining these photos under a microscope?

Jill

 

Not long ago I found myself staring at spy shots of the forfour, and noticing it had a door line consistent with a more traditional body design (a.k.a. no Tridion).

So when I saw these, I did the same thing...The pictures are a high enough resolution to zoom in pretty close. I was more surprised at the fact that both prototypes had open tubes next to the rear wheels (DeDion) than the fact that the Tridion Cell on the forfour looks odd.

 

At least that origami door is gone.

 

I deduced that it used an axle-type rear suspension from that brutal testing video that was circulating some time ago ... the rear wheels remain parallel to each other and perpendicular to the ground, even with extreme suspension travel, something that can only be done with an axle connecting the two sides.

The thing that we don't know, is how the axle is being guided. The current smart's lateral link arrangement causes some bad side effects ... like sending the rear wheels into toe-out when the rear is unloaded over a sharp crest or during braking, and that's bad ...

 

Great comment. When driving hard a Barber Motorsports Park a few weeks ago I had some rear tightening experiences cresting a hill at speed and needing to adjust to the right to prevent running off into the rumble strip. It took my smart's suspension (lowered) time to settle before I could actually turn toward the right. That time lag was a little :skeery!"
Breaking also unloads the rear doing the same thing and hesitation on a race track is agonizing.
But it was a lot of fun...for me and the folks in the high powered race cars that laughed with me. Included a picture of me "passing an Abarth and getting set up for the sharp left hand turn at the end of the main straight."

 

I'm giddy with anticipation...

 

We have to wait over a year? I really was hoping for some sort of surprise from Smart. Not really sure if I'm going to stick with my current '08 until then :\

 

Not surprised about the 44. But kinda think that it would really broaden Smarts market base here. The US has never been found of 2 seaters in general. Even some sports cars are a hard sell. I think a viable (not useless like the IQ) rear seat would bring in a lot more buyers. Think of how many here alone have opted for something not Smart because they needed more seating. I see a lot of 500s on the road lately. Also Souls, and the different Chevy small imports.

I also think they need to settle on a drive train and keep it. 3rd model, 3rd 3 cyl engine from a 3rd manufacturer. That doesn't build market confidence. Especially when you only sell one style of car. At this rate Smart will have had more different engines than Chrysler has had owners!

Add the 44 and then promote the heck out of the "new and improved" Smart. Especially hit the TV ads hard next time fuel spikes up.

I've noticed that interest or the "celebrity" factor seems to be way up for me lately. Last spring most interest was folks I knew about my NEW car. Lately I've given the speel quite a bit and let several folks sit in it. For me at least there seems to be a big spike in genuine interest VS silly comments. I think maybe the high fuel bills this hard winter and high prices in general might be pushing many folks to look for ways to save some money. Smart would be wise to take advantage of this.

 

Can I get this as a paint job for my smart?? I want to annoy the crap outta people!!

Do they really think this is hiding that its a smart car?? I mean the car kinda has a unique look to it.

 

It's too early for a good laugh!

They're trying to hide the final design touches. Also, since those are prototypes, their designs are also subject to change...so the camo is actually a pretty smart idea.

 

The camo will be shed, piece by piece, as the reveal gets closer. Think of it as automotive striptease.


Sent from AutoGuide.com App

 

Is it hot in here?

 

Suck, squeeze, bang, blow.








What? That's how combustion works!!!

 

Smart has decided ForFour sales won't be high enough to warrant the cost of homologation, Winkler said.[/I]

Not to mention that it costs around $1 Million USD to get a new engine certified for sale in the US?

Shame on Dr. Z, Winkler and all the "penny-pinching" guys at MB is not like they would pay the money out of their pockets :cussing:

 

As far as the Tridion cell, in a November 2013 interview, Annette Winkler was asked which elements from the current Fortwo would make the next generation:

mm: Welche Bestandteile des ursprünglichen Smart-Konzepts übernehmen sie bei der neuen Generation?
Winkler: Wir entwickeln den bestehenden Smart weiter und erhalten dabei die wichtigsten Elemente. So wird die neue Generation beispielsweise wieder die typische Tridion-Fahrgastzelle haben, die ein Designelement ist und gleichzeitig das einzigartige Sicherheitskonzept des Smart ausmacht.



Which is to say the 453 will feature the Tridion.
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.
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I LOVE the look of the new Renault Twingo! I'm pretty bummed Smart won't bring us the new ForFour, but I'm happy about the new Renault engine. 70 hp has been plenty for me, although the Turbo engine would be a nice option. (Diesel is my preference over turbo, however.) I just got a new personal record of 48.8 MPG driving from San Diego to Los Angeles last weekend, tracked on Fuelly.com, so I'm LOVING the mileage from my Smart and it's plenty fast as is, IMHO.

I think Renault should bring the Twingo over if Smart will not. They could sell them via their Nissan dealerships and tap a whole new market of young consumers who've never owned one. Don't believe me? See Fiat 500. It's been quite successful. Personally I have zero interest in owning a Nissan. Are they sporty? Affordable? Innovative? Built for the human race? Their whole marketing message has turned me off for many years but Renault would be fresh and new in my mind and I'd love the option to buy one here in the USA!

Anyway, I'm excited the Smart ForTwo and the Renault are so closely related, gonna seriously consider buying the new model when it comes out.

 

I think Renault should bring the Twingo over if Smart will not. They could sell them via their Nissan dealerships and tap a whole new market of young consumers who've never owned one.

This thought might actually be a primary reason behind the forfour not making it to the US. Perhaps Nissan will sell a Twingo/forfour variant in the US and there was some type of non-compete agreement made behind closed doors - we won't complete with the fortwo in Europe and you don't sell the forfour in the US.

 

I like the German nicknames for the smart generations:

450: ball

451: cube

453: Nose-Bear

 

Hello from Germany!

Guess the author!

Regards

Schaefca

 

I think every two seat smart will offer a Tridion, I won't worry about that feature being unchecked. I hope the 453 has a more aggressive look to it when it is revealed. Those pictures posted make it look as aggressive as a squirrel.

 

Those pictures posted make it look as aggressive as a squirrel.

Agreed, need to put just a little "tiger in the tank" . . .

 

How soon you forget the rath of the 2011 World Series "Rally Squirrel!" He single handedly turned around the playoffs and world series which allowed the Cardinals to win in amazing fashion. Just ask anyone in Philly or Texas how aggressive a squirrel can be. In Texas he is remembered as clearly as the Alamo.
ps... He actually ran between my legs while I was carrying four beers on a tray back to our seats.
pss..My nuts were not stolen by the squirrel...(my bag of peanuts...you perverts!)

 

All modern unit body cars have a safety cell design. Some work better than others, but they all use the concept of conducting crash forces and providing a passenger safety cell.
"Tridion Cell" is a brand name. I don't have to buy Kleenex to have facial tissue.

There was a time that you could get a discount on you life insurance for driving a MB. There safety program was that far ahead of what a lot of others where doing. They are not alone today.

 

I think the fortwo name should be abolished and replaced with nosebear

 

smart mascot.

 

Yeah!