smart · 1998–2024

Smart Fortwo

The Smart Fortwo (stylized as "smart fortwo") is a two-seater city car manufactured and marketed by the Smart division of the Mercedes-Benz Group for model years 1998–2024. The car was sold across three generations — each using a rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout and a (generally) one-box design body shape. Much like the original Volkswagen Beetle decades earlier, the Smart car's identity is interchangeably associated with both its brand name and its model name. The first generation Smart ForTwo (a joint venture project between Mercedes-Benz and Swatch) was internally designated as the W450, and was publicly launched at the 1998 Paris Motor Show. The redesigned (but visually similarly-shaped) second generation W451 would debut 8 years later, at the 2006 Bologna Motor Show. The third (and currently final) generation Fortwo was the C453 build series. It debuted globally on July 16, 2014, at the Tempodrom in Berlin. The third generation coupe and convertible debuted along with a closely related four-door version. While the four door carried the previously-used Smart Forfour name, this generation of smart cars was actually co-developed (sharing the same platform and engines) with the third-generation Renault Twingo. The ForTwo was marketed in 46 countries worldwide, allowing production to reach 1.7 million units by early 2015, and going on to surpass 2 million units globally, before end of 3rd generation production. The Smart moniker was derived as a portmanteau of three words from the project's early history as a cooperative design and engineering venture between Swatch and Mercedes resulting in the words: Swatch, Mercedes, and ART merging to simply become 'Smart'. The Fortwo model nameplate derives from the vehicle's two-person seating capacity. (In much of the marketing up until 2002 however, the Fortwo had been marketed as the "Smart City-Coupé"). Following this theme, the larger Smart car received the "ForFour" name, to emphasize that model's intended size/capacity. A low-slung, somewhat related Roadster/coupe-style car, simply called the (R452/C452) 'Smart Roadster' was also produced early on in the 2000s, but it did not sell in great volumes and did not see a second generation. A mechanically unrelated and even larger 4-door off-road/crossover Smart was designed and developed in-house by Mercedes, and may or may not have been based on the then-outgoing W203 C-class platform. This vehicle (called the Smart "ForMore") was ultimately canceled at the last moment, due to a number of factors, including but not limited to the 2008 financial crisis.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Successor: Smart 2

All smart Fortwo data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years → + Compare

History

Development of what ultimately became the Smart Fortwo started before 1993, originally as the Swatch car, developed by Nicolas Hayek in co-operation with Volkswagen. With a design focused on a modern microcar with an electric or hybrid drive, VW vacillated, disputes with Hayek ensued, and Hayek turned to Mercedes. The company MCC (Micro Compact Car AG) was founded in 1994 by Hayek in Biel as a joint subsidiary of Daimler-Benz and SMH SA (Société Suisse de Microélectronique et d'Horlogerie). When MCC abandoned the original concept and the planned electric or hybrid drive, both Hayek and senior development team members left the project. "Today's gasoline-powered Smart is a product from Daimler-Benz and has not much in common with the plans of the former Swatch team."

Design

The Fortwo is noted for its 2.5–2.69-metre (8.2–8.8 ft) overall length, high H-point seating, offset passenger and driver seats (in the first and second generation, the passenger seat is 15 centimetres further rearward than the driver's), automated manual transmission (1st and 2nd generation), De Dion tube rear suspension, low CO2 emissions (119 grams per kilometre, North America, 1.0 Liter), two-part rear hatch, interchangeable plastic body panels and prominent steel hemispherical safety-cell, which is marketed as the Tridion cell and can be ordered in a contrasting color to the vehicle's body panels. Fortwo models are manufactured at Smartville—a dedicated Daimler assembly plant in Hambach, France—in Coupé (i.e., hatchback) and Cabrio (i.e., convertible) body styles, each in a mono-box configuration. Smartville underwent a 200 million euro upgrade beginning in mid-2013 for the third generation. With the second generation, Smart introduced a version with automatic start-stop, marketed as the MHD, or Micro-Hybrid Drive—offered only in certain markets. A sport model, marketed as the Brabus model, has been available in both generations, and Daimler introduced the Smart electric drive, an all-electric version, in 2007. The Fortwo forms the basis for Daimler's Car2go fleet, the largest car-sharing enterprise worldwide. In 2002, the New York Museum of Modern Art (MoMa) introduced a first generation ForTwo into its permanent collection (the only vehicle to be included into the collection while still in series production), and in 2014 the Fortwo was voted the Best Microcar for the fifth year in a row by readers of the Chinese edition of Auto, Motor und Sport. At the time of its commercial launch, the Smart Fortwo diesel-engined variant, the Cdi, had the lowest carbon dioxide

First generation (450 series; 1998)

The first-generation, build series MC01 debuted in 1998 and received a facelift in 2002. Engine. The engines are turbocharged with three cylinders. Originally the basic petrol engine was 599 cc, and came in three versions—33, 38 and 45 kW (45, 51 and 61 hp). The engine displacement was increased to 698 cc with the facelift in 2002, in 37 and 45 kW (50 and 61 hp) variants. The turbo-diesel engine had 799 cc displacement giving 30 kW (41 hp). Models. The Fortwo is available as a coupe or cabriolet, originally called the "City-Coupé" & "cabrio", now the "fortwo" & "fortwo Cabrio", introduced in 2000 and restyled in 2002. Trim levels include the Pure, Pulse, and Passion. Pure models are fitted with the standard audio system but nothing else; Pulse models are fitted with alloy wheels, panoramic glass roof, and paddle-shifters on the steering wheel (2004+); and finally, the Passion models are fitted with air-conditioning and ability to select between fully automatic and sequential gearbox. Limited 1: The first limited edition of which 7500 were made, all left-hand drive. It was released at the original launch in 1998. It had a black Tridion cell and white body panels. It also had alloy wheels, a Limited 1 insignia, and a blue interior with beige leather finishings. It was supplied with a certificate showing which numbers out of the 7500, and a plaque with this number below the windshield on the inside. SE: This was the second limited edition made by Smart; it was sold in mid-2001 and all were left-hand-drive. They were all Pulse specification with a redesigned steering wheel, soft-touch, air conditioning, CD Multi-changer, and drinks holder as standard. The engine power was upped to 61BHP from the standard 55BHP normally applied to the Pulse in the 600cc G1 cars. It was desi

Second generation (451 series; 2007)

The second generation, build series 451 (internally: C451, Coupé – A451, Cabrio), was introduced on November 1, 2006—its length increased by 200 mm to 2,690 mm (106.1 in) and offering improved crash performance. The second generation retained the interchangeable plastic body panels as well as the prominent exposed, rigid steel safety cell, which is 50% high-strength steel, hot-dip galvanized and powder-coated—and marketed as Tridion. The range received a minor interior facelift for the 2011 model year with standard knee airbags, new instrument cluster, more extensive cloth trimming for the top of the instrument panel, circular rather than rectangular outboard dash vents, optional multimedia system with a 6.5" display, and optional surround-sound audio system. For the 2013 model year, all Fortwos received a minor exterior facelift with revised lower facias, front and rear, and a relocated brand emblem located inside rather than above the front grille. The second generation Fortwo remained the lightest production car on sale in Europe. Engine and fuel economy. The 999 cc I3 Mitsubishi 3B2 engine (2007 onwards) is offered in naturally aspirated and turbo versions. German tuner company Brabus, in a joint venture with Smart, has developed a high powered version of the 1.0-litre turbo, producing 102 PS (75 kW; 101 bhp), originally available only in Europe, but now available elsewhere. A small 0.8-litre three-cylinder turbo diesel common rail engine made by Mercedes was available in most European markets. EU fuel consumption testing for the combined cycle rates the 1.0-litre mhd at 65.7 mpg‑imp (4.30 L/100 km; 54.7 mpg‑US), the turbo at 57.6 mpg‑imp (4.90 L/100 km; 48.0 mpg‑US) and 85.6 mpg‑imp (3.30 L/100 km; 71.3 mpg‑US) for the diesel. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agen

Third generation (453 series; 2014)

Designed under the direction of Kai Sieber with designer Michael Gebhardt, the third generation launched on July 16, 2014, having been jointly developed with Renault. The third generation was available as the 3-door 2-seater (internally designated as the C453) and 5-door 4-seater (internally designated the W453), marketed as the Fortwo and Forfour, respectively. Motor Trend reported prior to its introduction that the third generation ForFour was to share approximately 70% of its parts with the third generation Renault Twingo, itself only offered as a four-door, four-seater. At time of launch, the third generation Fortwo was powered by either of two 3-cylinder engines: a 1.0-litre engine producing 71 bhp and 70 lb ft of torque, or a turbocharged 0.9-litre (898 cc) 89 bhp engine with 100 lb ft of torque. A lower-powered 59 bhp engine was planned to follow later. All versions came with either a manual five-speed gearbox or "twinamic" dual-clutch automatic transmission instead of the previous 'Softouch' system. During development, Daimler had consulted with Ford to learn about their Ecoboost 1.0-litre turbo-charged inline 3-cylinder engine, in turn sharing information about its own Euro6 stratified lean-burn gasoline engines. Prior to its debut, Smart CEO Annette Winkler reported the new C453 generation car would share its 2.69 metre length with the previous W451 as well as its trademark hemispherical steel safety cell, marketed as the Tridion cell. The ForTwo continued to be assembled at Smartville, and the ForFour was manufactured alongside the Renault Twingo 3 in Novo Mesto, Slovenia. Smartville, where the W450 and W451 have been manufactured, underwent a 200 million euro upgrade beginning in mid-2013, in preparation for the C453 Fortwo, and was ultimately sold to Ineos.

International markets

The vehicle was initially available only in left-hand-drive form, as the floorpan allowed only for a left-hand-drive version. Smart subsequently designed a floorpan for right-hand-drive models. The Fortwo was marketed in 37 countries worldwide. Australia. The Smart Fortwo was marketed through select Mercedes-Benz dealers in Australia from 2003 to 2015 in only the middle 'Pulse' range, and with the petrol engine. In 2007, the base price for the Fortwo coupé was A$19,900, and the Fortwo cabriolet was $22,900. Mercedes-Benz stopped selling the Smart brand in Australia in 2015 due to declining sales. Brazil. The smart Fortwo was officially marketed through select Mercedes-Benz dealers in Brazil only from 2009 to 2015 (exclusively in its second generation), only with petrol engines. It was offered with the "micro-hybrid drive" natural aspirated engine (mhd) in standard configuration with a special edition named "Brazilian Edition" which was offered only in yellow (in reference to the Brazilian Flag) with a Brazilian flag sticker on both sides, and turbocharged versions named "standard" (no name), Tritop, and Passion. The mhd were offered only in "coupé" configuration with no sunroof, and turbocharged versions were offered in both coupé (with sunroof) and cabrio variants. A few units of the fortwo Brabus were also offered in Brazil in the year 2010. In 2016, Mercedes-Benz decided to discontinue offer of the fortwo in Brazilian market, hence Brazilian customers never had the option of the 453. There are also a few W450s in Brazil, although they weren't officially imported by Mercedes-Benz and have no official support. China. In April 2008, Smart premiered at the 2008 Beijing Auto Show. In October 2008, the Smart "vending machine" road show had the first stop in Shenyang and be

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name

Smart Fortwo

Manufacturer

Daimler-Benz (1998), DaimlerChrysler (1998–2007), Daimler AG (2007–2022), Mercedes-Benz Group (2022–2024)

aka

Smart City-Coupé (1998–2002), Smart car (colloquially)

Production

1998–2006 (MkI), 2006–2014 (MkII), 2014–2024 (MkIII)

Assembly

France: Hambach (Smartville)

Class

City car, Microcar

Body style

3-door hatchback, 2-door convertible

Layout

Rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive, Rear-motor, rear-wheel-drive (electric version)

Related

Smart Roadster, Smart Forfour

Successor

Smart #2

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

US EPA fuel-economy records

US EPA test figures (US MPG, US test cycle).

Sources

• Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q834494CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_FortwoCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1377360967 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Smart_Fortwo_W_453_Wien_26_July_2020_JM_(2).jpgCC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo: Johannes Maximilian · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.

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