The Smart Forfour (stylized as "smart forfour") is a city car (A-segment) marketed by Smart over two generations. The first generation was marketed in Europe from 2004 to 2006 with a front-engine configuration, sharing its platform with the Mitsubishi Colt. The second generation was marketed in Europe from 2014 after an eight-year hiatus, using rear-engine or rear electric motor configurations. It is based on the third-generation Renault Twingo, which also forms a basis for the third-generation Smart Fortwo. A battery electric version was marketed as the EQ Forfour beginning in 2018.[1]
| Smart EQ Forfour | |
|---|---|
 Second generation Smart Forfour | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | DaimlerChrysler (2004–2006) Daimler AG (2014–2021) |
| Production | 2004–2006 2014–2021 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Supermini (B) (2004–2006) City car (A) (2014–2021) |
| Body style | 5-door hatchback |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Smart #1 (EQ Forfour) |
The petrol-powered Forfour was discontinued in 2019 as production of all Smart internal combustion models ended at that time. Production of the EQ Forfour ended in 2021.[2][3] It was indirectly replaced by the larger Smart #1 crossover.
First generation (W454; 2004)
edit| First generation (W454) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Production | 2004–2006 |
| Assembly | Netherlands: Born (NedCar) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Supermini (B) |
| Body style | 5-door hatchback |
| Layout | Front-engine, front-wheel-drive |
| Related | Mitsubishi Colt Senova D20 Senova X25 Changhe Q25 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Transmission | 5-speed Getrag 452 manual 6-speed Getrag 452 AMT automated manual (Softouch)[5] |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,500 mm (98.4 in) |
| Length | 3,752 mm (147.7 in) |
| Width | 1,684 mm (66.3 in) |
| Height | 1,450 mm (57.1 in) |
Production
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The car was produced at the NedCar factory in the Netherlands in conjunction with Mitsubishi Motors. This is the same factory that produced Volvo 300s in the 1970s and 1980s and the Volvo S40 in the 1990s. To save production costs, the Smart Forfour shared almost all of its components with the 2003 Mitsubishi Colt. This includes the chassis, suspension and a new generation of MIVEC petrol engines, ranging from the three-cylinder 1.1 L (1,124 cc) to the four-cylinder with power up to 80 kW (109 PS; 107 hp).
The Smart Forfour was phased out from production in 2006 due to slow sales.[6]
Equipment
editDepending on the version, it came equipped with ESP, ABS (standard on all models), 14-inch or 15-inch alloy wheels or, optional, 16-inch ones (17-inch on the Brabus model), safety cell, a panoramic sunroof (or, optional, electric sunroof), height-adjustable driver seat, illuminated glove box, radio/CD-player, fog lights, front and side airbags (standard on all models), alarm, automatic air conditioning, electric front windows, and as options - multifunctional steering wheel, shift paddles, heated front seats, lounge seats, navigation and color display with telephone keypad or DVD navigation with a larger display, CD changer, window bags, rain sensor, automatic lights on the system (in poor visibility), leather package.[7]
Marketing
editThe sales brochures state that the interior "is designed around the concept of a lounge"; to test this, Top Gear presenters, James May and Richard Hammond spent 24 hours inside the Forfour. They said they would not buy the car due to its high price and poor driving dynamics compared to its rivals.
Following Smart's initial success for the fortwo in the U.S., and due to surprisingly high popularity in the Forfour, former Mercedes-Benz exec Rainer Schmückle revealed that officials were considering relaunching the car.[8]
Forfour Brabus (2005)
edit
Forfour Brabus is a version of Smart Forfour tuned by Brabus with a turbocharged Mitsubishi 4G15 engine rated 130 kW (177 PS; 174 hp), 27 PS (20 kW; 27 hp) more than the Mitsubishi Colt CZT. It can reach a maximum speed of 221 km/h (137 mph) and accelerate from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.9 seconds.
Engines
edit| Engine | Code | Type | Displacement | Power | Torque | Top speed | 0–100 km/h (0-62 mph) | Combined consumption | CO2 emissions | Production years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol engines | ||||||||||
| 1.0 12v | M134 E11 red. | I3 | 1,124 cc | 47 kW (64 PS; 63 hp) at 5500 rpm | 92 N⋅m (68 lb⋅ft) at 2500 rpm | 158 km/h (98 mph) | 15.3 s | 6.9 L/100 km (41 mpg‑imp) | 128 g/km | 2005–2006 |
| 1.1 12v | M134 E11 | I3 | 1,124 cc | 55 kW (75 PS; 74 hp) at 6000 rpm | 100 N⋅m (74 lb⋅ft) at 3500 rpm | 165 km/h (103 mph) | 13.4 s | 7.0 L/100 km (40 mpg‑imp) | 130 g/km | 2004–2006 |
| 1.3 16v | M135 E13 | I4 | 1,332 cc | 70 kW (95 PS; 94 hp) at 5250 rpm | 125 N⋅m (92 lb⋅ft) at 4000 rpm | 180 km/h (112 mph) | 10.8 s | 7.4 L/100 km (38 mpg‑imp) | 138 g/km | 2004–2006 |
| 1.5 16v | M135 E15 | I4 | 1,499 cc | 80 kW (109 PS; 107 hp) at 6000 rpm | 145 N⋅m (107 lb⋅ft) at 4000 rpm | 190 km/h (118 mph) | 9.8 s | 7.8 L/100 km (36 mpg‑imp) | 145 g/km | 2004–2006 |
| 1.5 16v Brabus | M122 E15 AL | I4 turbo | 1,468 cc | 130 kW (177 PS; 174 hp) at 6000 rpm | 230 N⋅m (170 lb⋅ft) at 3500 rpm | 221 km/h (137 mph) | 6.9 s | 6.9 L/100 km (41 mpg‑imp) | 159 g/km | 2005–2006 |
| Diesel engines | ||||||||||
| 1.5 12v cdi 50 kW | OM639 DE15 LA red. | I3 | 1,493 cc | 50 kW (68 PS; 67 hp) at 4000 rpm | 160 N⋅m (118 lb⋅ft) at 1800 rpm | 160 km/h (99 mph) | 13.9 s | 5.8 L/100 km (49 mpg‑imp) | 121 g/km | 2004–2006 |
| 1.5 12v cdi 70 kW | OM639 DE15 LA | 70 kW (95 PS; 94 hp) at 4000 rpm | 210 N⋅m (155 lb⋅ft) at 1800 rpm | 180 km/h (112 mph) | 10.5 s | 5.8 L/100 km (49 mpg‑imp) | 121 g/km | 2004–2006 | ||
The 1.5 L (92 in3) common direct injection (cdi) diesel engine, is a three-cylinder Mercedes-Benz engine derived from the four-cylinder used in the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, and is available with either 68 PS (50 kW; 67 hp) or 95 PS (70 kW; 94 hp).
Transmissions
editAll models could be equipped with either a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic (Softouch) transmission, except the 1.0-liter version and the Brabus version, which could only use 5-speed manual transmissions.
Second generation (W453; 2014)
edit| Second generation (W453) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Production | 2014–2019 (petrol) 2017–2021 (electric) |
| Assembly | France: Hambach Slovenia: Novo Mesto (Revoz) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | City car (A) |
| Body style | 5-door hatchback |
| Layout | Rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive |
| Related | Smart Fortwo (C453) Renault Twingo III |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 0.9 L M281 I3 turbocharged (petrol) 1.0 L M281 I3 (petrol) |
| Electric motor | 82 PS synchronous electric motor |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual 6-speed dual-clutch |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,490 mm (98.0 in) |
| Length | 3,495 mm (137.6 in) |
| Width | 1,640 mm (64.6 in) |
| Height | 1,550 mm (61.0 in) |
The second-generation Forfour was jointly developed with Renault, reportedly sharing approximately 70% of its parts with the third-generation Renault Twingo, while retaining the trademark hemispherical steel safety cell, marketed as the Tridion cell.[9] The Fortwo and the Forfour are both manufactured in Smartville. However, the EQ version of the Forfour was manufactured alongside the Renault Twingo 3 in Novo Mesto, Slovenia.[10] Smartville, where the W450 and W451 build series have been manufactured, underwent a 200 million euro upgrade beginning in mid-2013, in preparation for the C453 Fortwo. The second generation Forfour, along with the new Fortwo went on sale in October, shortly after their debuting at the Paris Motor Show.[citation needed]
The Smart Fortwo and Forfour is offered with a choice of manual transmission or double-clutch automatic[11][12] — and no longer with the Getrag automated manual. Both models feature a wider track, overall width increased by 10 cm (over the second generation Fortwo), improved ride and improved noise isolation.[13]
For the third generation, Autoweek projected that Daimler consulted with Ford to learn about Ford's 1.0-litre turbocharged inline 3-cylinder engine, in turn sharing information about its own Euro 6 stratified lean-burn gasoline engines.[14]
The launch model "edition #1" was a limited period version, presented in Tempodrom, Berlin.[15][16] Delivery is scheduled to commence in November 2014 with the Forfour 52 kW and 66 kW models to follow in December 2014, and twinamic dual-clutch transmission models in the spring of 2015.[17]
Smart Fourjoy concept (2013)
edit
Smart Fourjoy concept includes Smart's signature Tridion cell in polished full-aluminium, tail lights integrated in the Tridion cell, spherical instrument cluster, raised smart lettering milled from aluminium on the side skirts, pearlescent white on the bumpers, front bonnet and tailgate; headlamps without a glass cover, U-shaped daytime running lights, LED front and tail lights, transparent petroleum-coloured moulded wind deflector at the top of the front windscreen, on the A-pillars on the sides and on the rear roof spoiler; rear dark chrome seats, a piping-like line with the same petroleum colour as the plexiglass accents on the exterior, instrument panel with convex surface and touch-sensitive operating functions, spherical instrument cluster, single-spoke steering wheel, two smartphones mounted on the dashboard and on the centre tunnel, 55 kW magneto-electric motor, 17.6kWh lithium-ion battery, 22 kW onboard charger, two electrically driven skateboards on the roof, helmets under the rear seats, a high-definition camera.
The vehicle was unveiled at the 2013 Frankfurt Auto Show (without doors and roof).[18][19]
Concept plug-in hybrid conversion
editA concept version, never manufactured, of the Smart Forfour was converted as a plug-in hybrid by third-party vendors.[20] The lithium-ion battery can propel the vehicle up to 84 mph (135 km/h) and last on its own for up to 20 miles (32 km) with an engine that combined a 68 hp (51 kW; 69 PS), 1.5 L (92 in3), three-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine and two high-efficiency permanent-magnet electric motors. It received an award from the Energy Saving Trust for the "Ultra Low Carbon Car Challenge" project.[21]
Electric version
edit
This section needs to be updated. (July 2017) |
In 2013, Daimler projected it would produce an electric version of the Smart Forfour during the second generation of production, for launch in 2015.[22] The battery-electric smart forfour electric drive entered mass-production in 2017 at Renault's Novo Mesto plant in Slovenia and was marketed in Europe, competing with other electric city cars such as the MG ZS EV, Renault Twingo Z.E (with which it shares many components), and Volkswagen E-up!, including the SEAT Mii electric and Škoda Citigo-e iV, rebadged versions of the E-up!. In 2019, it was restyled and rebranded to Smart EQ ForFour, after Chinese automobile manufacturer Geely took a stake in Daimler, becoming a 50–50 partner in Smart, and Smart pivoted to market electric cars only. The EQ ForFour was discontinued in early 2022.[23]
It used a rear-mounted 60 kW (80 hp) electric motor with a peak torque of 160 N⋅m (120 lbf⋅ft) and is fitted with a 17.6 kW-hr battery.[24] The EQ Forfour has a rated consumption of 13.1 kWh/100 km (combined) and achieves 160 km (99 mi) range using the NEDC test cycle, dropping to 130 km (81 mi) on the WLTP cycle.[24][1] As tested, Autocar had a range of 109 km (68 mi), using "a gentle touring driving style", dropping to 80 km (50 mi) when not driving as carefully. The kerb weight of the electric forfour is 1,200 kg (2,600 lb), approximately 225 kg (496 lb) heavier than an equivalent petrol-powered forfour.[25]
Powertrain
edit| Petrol engines | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Model | Years | Type/code | Power, torque@rpm |
| Forfour 45 kW | 2015–2017 | 999 cc (61.0 cu in) I3 | 60 PS (44 kW; 59 hp)@?, ?@? |
| Forfour 52 kW | 2014–2019 | 999 cc (61.0 cu in) I3 | 71 PS (52 kW; 70 hp)@?, 91 N⋅m (67 lbf⋅ft)@2850 |
| Forfour 66 kW | 2014–2019 | 898 cc (54.8 cu in) I3 turbo | 90 PS (66 kW; 89 hp)@?, 135 N⋅m (100 lbf⋅ft)@2500 |
| Forfour Brabus | 2016–2018 | 898 cc (54.8 cu in) I3 turbo | 108 PS (79 kW; 107 hp)@?, 175 N⋅m (129 lbf⋅ft)@2500 |
| Electric motor | |||
| Model | Years | Type/code | Power, torque@rpm |
| EQ Forfour | 2017–2021 | synchronous electric motor | 82 PS (60 kW), 160 N⋅m (118 lbf⋅ft) |
All petrol models are available with a 5-speed manual or 6-speed twinamic dual-clutch transmission.
Sales
editA total of 248,856 second-generation Forfours have been produced, 14.9% of them (32,326 units) being electric models.[26]
References
edit- ^ a b "smart forfour electric drive". smart.com. December 28, 2017. Archived from the original on December 28, 2017.
- ^ "Say hello to the new all-electric Smart range". Top Gear. 2019-09-05. Retrieved 2022-01-03.
- ^ "Smart EQ ForFour Production Ends To Make Room For Future Growth". Motor1.com. Retrieved 2022-01-03.
- ^ "Smart forfour 66kW Perfect specs and photos • Auto Types". July 10, 2020.
- ^ "forfour". www7.big.or.jp.
- ^ John Neff. "SMART forfour production ends - Mitsubishi and DaimlerChrysler part ways". Autoblog.com. Retrieved 2012-05-17.
- ^ Smart Forfour, the prices 2005, Smart UK, 6 September 2005
- ^ "Comeback planned for Smart ForFour". Motor Authority. 2008-01-31. Retrieved 2012-05-17.
- ^ "Das ist keine Geheimniskrämerei (in German)". Manager Magazine Online, Wilfried Eckl-Dorna, Nov 18, 2013.
- ^ "New Renault Twingo spotted". Autocar.
- ^ "AUTO UND TECHNIK: Das Kuckucksei (in German)". Focus Magazine, March 17, 2014.
- ^ "The Smart rehearsing the Snow Waltz (in German)". Autobild, 3/17/2014.
- ^ "Baptism by Fire in the Snow (in German)". Automobil Revue, 21 March 2014, Thomas Geiger. Archived from the original on 26 March 2014.
- ^ "Daimler consults Ford on turbo three-cylinder engine development". Nick Gibbs, Automotive News, 5/24/2013.
- ^ "World premiere of the new Smart Fortwo and Forfour on 16 July in Berlin - In the thick of the action: experience the new smart generation celebrating its debut via live stream from the Tempodrom".
- ^ "Next Smart Fortwo, Forfour to debut July 16, previewed in design sketches". Autoblog.
- ^ "Prices start at less than €11,000: At the starting line: the new smart generation".
- ^ "FourJoy reveals stats of Smart ForFour". Automotive News. September 9, 2013.
- ^ "Smart jumps Fourjoy in Germany [w/video]". Autoblog.
- ^ "Gaia: Gaia". Gaia-akku.com. Retrieved 2012-05-17.
- ^ "A plug-in Hybrid that can go 84". Gadgetell.com. 2006-12-12. Retrieved 2009-10-14.
- ^ Mike Szostech. "Smart ForFour Electric Drive confirmed for 2015". My Electric Car Forums. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
- ^ Morgan-Freelander, Tom (3 January 2022). "Smart EQ ForFour ends production ahead of Concept #1 SUV launch". Autocar. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
- ^ a b Ingram, Alex (25 January 2020). "New Smart EQ ForFour 2020 review". AutoExpress. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
- ^ "Smart Forfour Electric Drive 2017-2019 review". Autocar. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
- ^ "Slovenia's Revoz terminates production of Smart Forfour model - report". seenews.com. Retrieved 2022-08-27.
External links
edit
Press kit: