Smart began in 1993 as a joint venture between Daimler Benz and Swiss watchmaker Swatch. The company, Micro Compact Car AG was formed and headquartered in Biel Switzerland.
The fundamental idea behind the company was to create city cars with a specific emphasis placed on fuel economy and parking ease. Because the car was so tiny, Smart created the “tridion” safety cell (the silver or black portion of the body) to assure that the car could withstand impacts from exponentially bigger vehicles. Made from three layers of steel reinforced at strategic points, the cell was designed to absorb and redistribute crash energy away from the vehicle’s occupants. Side impacts are shielded by steel door beams and reinforced axles. Shortly after the cars launch in 1998, Daimler bought Swatch out of the venture. Popularity ensued throughout Europe and additional Smart models followed. In 2006, Smart expanded into the United States, where rising gas prices had shifted the market toward smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles. While there is no mainstream vehicle that embodies those two criteria better than the Smart, only time will tell if Americans who once laughed at Smart will embrace it the way Europeans and others around the world have.
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Smart News – ZerCustoms
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smart fortwo urbanstyle Wednesday, 3 March 2010, 9:58 pm
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Limited at 260 units as a coupe. cabriolet only on special order…. Complete text here: smart fortwo urbanstyle
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smart Golfing Green Thursday, 11 February 2010, 1:19 pm
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One of our readers came up with an interesting idea…. Complete text here: smart Golfing Green
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smart fortwo edition greystyle Tuesday, 9 February 2010, 11:45 am
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Available as a coupe and cabrio and powered by the 71 hp mhd or the 84 hp engine…. Complete text here: smart fortwo edition greystyle
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BRABUS ULTIMATE R smart fortwo Friday, 18 September 2009, 3:40 pm
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The BRABUS ULTIMATE R smart fortwo was premiered by the German tuner at this year’s Frankfurt Auto Show. The BRABUS ULTIMATE R smart fortwo is powered by a turbocharged 3-cylinder engine that develops 112 hp (110 bhp) / 82.4 kW at 5,750 rpm and 150 Nm (111 lb-ft) of tor… Complete text here: BRABUS ULTIMATE R smart fortwo
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smart BRABUS tailor made Wednesday, 16 September 2009, 11:09 am
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As if a smart modified by Brabus is not special enough, Daimler has launched in the UK the smart BRABUS tailor made personalization program. The smart BRABUS tailor made was launched today at the Frankfurt Auto Show and will go on sale this winter. The smart BRABUS tail… Complete text here: smart BRABUS tailor made
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smart fortwo highstyle Wednesday, 26 August 2009, 12:33 pm
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Daimler has launched the special edition smart fortwo highstyle which aims to be stylish, elegant and classy. The smart fortwo highstyle is available with two petrol engine options, a 52 kW/71 hp or a 62 kW/84 hp. The 71 hp smart fortwo highstyle comes with a start/stop… Complete text here: smart fortwo highstyle
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2009 smart fortwo electric drive Friday, 21 August 2009, 1:27 pm
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Daimler has announced today that the second generation 2009 smart fortwo electric drive will enter production at the Hambach plant in France. The 2009 smart fortwo electric drive is equipped with a lithium-ion battery and a 30 kW electric motor which is placed at the re… Complete text here: 2009 smart fortwo electric drive
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2009 Smart Model Lineup
- 2009 Smart Passion Cabriolet
- 2009 Smart Passion Coupe
- 2009 Smart Pure
