Smart ForTwo (2015): it's the Smart Mk3

By James Clark

First Official Pictures

16 July 2014 19:30

Daimler this evening unveiled the new 2015 Smart ForTwo - the third iteration of the world's most recognisable city car.

Retaining many of the details that made the original ForTwo so popular, the new Smart features all-new tech with a fundamentally new architecture.

City driving is the ForTwo’s bread and butter. Smart is well aware of this, so has made sure that the new car has kept its length to just 2.9 metres. Smart also worked hard on the turning circle – setting a new benchmark at just 6.95 metres, meaning three-point-turns should be a doddle. These details, combined with typically short overhangs mean that the new ForTwo should remain extremely easy to drive through cities and rush-hour traffic.

For those wanting a sharper-handling Smart, sports suspension is available, dropping the car 10mm as well as firming up the ride. Here's hoping the new Smart ForTwo rides with a less bone-shaking firmness of earlier versions...

Safety is one area in which the new city car has really moved on from its predecessor. Crosswind Assist comes as standard, which carries out small brake inputs should it feel the car being blown off course. Forward Collision Warning and Lane Keeping Assist are also optional extras.

The chassis and suspension have also been developed further, with Smart claiming markedly enhanced ride comfort and handling.

You bet. Probably the biggest leap forward from the previous ForTwo is the announcement that the new car will be available with the choice of two three-cylinder engines and a dual-clutch gearbox from launch.

Entry-level ForTwos will come equipped with a 999cc naturally-aspirated three-cylinder engine, producing 71bhp and 67lb ft. Smart says that the majority of this torque is available from just 1000rpm – meaning increased drivability and economy during urban driving.

The other motor – also a three-cylinder – is smaller – just 898cc – but is boosted by the addition of a turbocharger. This means the top-of-the-range ForTwos will produce 90bhp and a punchy 100lb ft at 2500rpm. This new engine also features an electrically controlled wastegate, which improves engine dynamics as well as economy.  Both engines come equipped with automatic start-stop.

A couple of months after the ForTwo’s launch an entry-level engine will be made available, producing 60bhp.

Anyone who has driven a current Smart will no doubt rejoice in the fact that the automated manual transmission has been ditched. In its place, customers can choose between a five-speed manual and Twinamic six-speed dual clutch ‘box.

Standard equipment on the ForTwo is impressive (although pricing has not yet been confirmed) and includes cruise control and LED daytime running lights.

Passion, Prime and Proxy - yes, yes, we know - are the names of the three equipment lines on the new Smart ForTwo. All offer a number of optional extras, to allow vast personalisation choice. The higher up the spec ladder you climb, the more likely you are to find a leather multi-function steering wheel, heated seats and a 3.5-inch colour display in the instrument cluster.

No details have been released with regards to the pricing of the new Fortwo, but expect it to be positioned closely to its chief rear-engined, rear-drive sibling, the new Renault Twingo.

By James Clark