By Mauricio Lezcano / carsntravel.com / Photos Mercedes Benz US Press Information
For 2016, the all new smart fortwo cabrio represents a particularly iconic variant of the model series as the one of the most affordable new convertibles on the market. An extension of the Mercedes-Benz product portfolio, the smart fortwo Cabrio offers personalization, convenience, safety, efficiency and affordability.
Exterior
Three cars in one: at the touch of a button the new smart cabrio is transformed from a closed two seater into a car with a large sliding canvas sunroof, or a full-fledged cabriolet with the soft top completely open. This enables the fresh air driving experience to be adapted to the weather or the driver’s mood. This flexibility offered by the tritop folding soft top and the removable roof bars is a special feature and not just in this segment. At the same time, the new smart cabrio is the only true cabriolet in its vehicle class.
The new smart cabrio is clearly recognizable as a member of the new smart generation. The third model also embodies the smart design philosophy of FUN.ctional design, defined by two poles, the heart and mind.
The design idiom is clear, purist and very progressive. This includes the typical silhouette with ultra-short overhangs, the clear lines, shapes and surfaces and, of course, the tridion safety cell. With the grille in a fading honeycomb design and the rhombic headlamps, the face is unmistakably smart. The B-pillar is narrower than on the closed variant and the styling of the tridion safety cell is more progressive, giving the smart fortwo cabrio an even sportier and more forward focused look.
Soft Top
When the sun peeps out from behind the clouds, smart fortwo cabrio drivers can react quickly, the fabric soft top can be opened fully automatically in twelve seconds even when driving at top speed. With the 3-button key the soft top can also be opened from outside the car by remote control.
Removing the side roof bars enables a full-blown cabrio experience. The roof bars can be stowed on the inside of the tailgate. This stowage compartment in the tailgate also offers additional stowage space for small items.
With an area of 19.4sq-ft the tritop fabric soft top is approximately four percent larger than its predecessor. The outer covering is made of a particularly lightfast polyacrylic fabric and the inside features a polyester/cotton mix. There is a rubber layer in the middle. The soft top has a total thickness of 0.8 inches. The rear windscreen is heated and is made of glass.
Engine and Transmission
The new cabrio will be available with the same three-cylinder engine as the coupe, rated at 89 hp. This engine can be combined with the five speed manual transmission or the fully automatic twinamic dual clutch transmission. Needless to say, the smart fortwo cabrio has the agility typical of the brand with the 22.8ft (from curb to curb) and 24ft (from wall to wall) turning circle, turning maneuvers are extremely simple.
In addition to the four lines pure, passion, prime and proxy, customers can choose from a large range of safety and comfort features. The high-quality and charming interior of the smart fortwo cabrio corresponds to that of the closed variant with standard features including a smart radio with Bluetooth technology, automatic climate control, power windows, power steering, cruise control, a multifunction steering wheel, alarm system, and LED Daytime Running Lamps integrated into the headlights.
A wind deflector is available as an option. The interior styling is sure to delight and is characterized by a dynamic loop as a signature feature throughout the interior emotional sweeping lines which feature on the dashboard and doors, for example.
Safety
The new smart fortwo cabrio is the most rigid smart cabrio ever. The torsional strength has been improved by around 15 percent compared with the predecessor. The material mix comprises a high proportion of ultra-high strength hot-formed steels and maximum-strength multiphase steels.
As well as meeting the requirements of mandatory crash tests, the new smart fortwo cabrio, with a safety concept that includes the tridion safety cell typical of the brand for efficient energy absorption, also passes additional Mercedes-Benz crash tests that often have much stricter requirements. This includes the roof-drop test. Here the body falls at a slight angle from a height of 50 centimeters onto the roof structure and the vehicle hits one of the two A-pillars.
Advanced assistance systems which were previously the reserve of higher classes of vehicle help to prevent accidents. These include the latest-generation ESP with Crosswind Assist and hill start assist (standard) and forward collision warning (optional).
Summary
Smart stands for FUN.ctional design, as the brand is defined by two poles, the heart and mind. The design idiom is clear and purist and therefore very progressive. The new smart fortwo Cabrio has everything it takes to maneuver elegantly into any parking space and around every corner, too. When it comes to the turning circle, the new smart fortwo Cabrio sets a new benchmark: at 22.8 ft. (from curb to curb) and 24 ft. (from wall to wall) it makes turning maneuvers extremely simple.
The manufacturer’s suggested retail price starts at $18,900.00, estimated fuel economy is rated at 33 mpg city and 38 mpg highway with the DCT Automatic Transmission.
mlezcano@carsntravel.com
