2013 Smart Fortwo Passion on 2040-cars

Auto blog

2016 Tech of the Year | Autoblog Minute

Deliberation on the winners of Autoblog's Tech of the Year Award is under way. Nominees for best car in 2016 are: the Tesla Model S, the Chevy Volt and the BMW 7 series. Nominees for best tech in 2016 are: Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, VW's MiB II with AppConnect, Ford Sync 3, Audi Virtual Cockpit, the Smart Cross Connect App, and Volvo Sensus. Autoblog's Chris McGraw reports on this edition of Autoblog Minute. Audi BMW Chevrolet Ford smart Tesla Volvo Technology of the Year Autoblog Minute Videos Original Video volt android auto ford sync 3

'New-generation' all-electric Smart ForTwo and FourFour the future of the brand

These are the Smarts that have turned forbidden fruit for our market. The mini-car maker calls the new Smart ForTwo EQ, ForTwo Cabrio EQ, and ForFour EQ a "new generation," but that refers to the comprehensive swap to electric powertrains and elimination of ICE options, not major platform changes. Smart has offered ED "Electric Drive" versions for 12 years, and the current 17.6-kWh lithium-ion battery pack and 159-kilometer (99 miles) don't change. Outside, two distinct grilles have been swapped a single grille placed lower on a more vertical front fascia on the coupe and four-door models. The ForTwo and ForFour get slightly different takes on the grille, however, the ForTwo's smiley face grille flanked by fog lights, the ForFour's trapezoidal grille housing its fog lights. Smart logos formerly placed on the mesh are replaced by small logotype on the front hood on both models, and the mesh can be painted in body color for the first time. Other highlights outside include optional full-LED headlights and new LED taillights. Inside, a new center console provides more and better storage options, able to hold "the largest smartphones" or two cups of coffee with the removable cup holder. Larger phone storage will come in handy since the new infotainment system is entirely phone-based. The Smart EQ app has also been redesigned to incorporate feedback from users, bringing deeper integration with smartphone widgets and the Apple Watch, as well as extra functionality for services like car sharing, parking, finding the car, and even how to pack the Smart most efficiently. More colors join the palette. The ForTwo's body panels and Tridion cell can be dressed in Carmine Red and Gold Beige, and Lime Green is a new hue for the body panels only. The ForFour adds Ice White for the body and the Tridion Cell, Steel Blue for the body alone. A new black and blue fabric interior gets set off with top-stitching and accented trim pieces. And four new wheel designs come in either 15- or 16-inch sizes. A simpler package structure is expected to make ordering easier. The same four trims carry over: Base, Passion, Pulse, and Prime. Three option packages start with Advanced, which includes infotainment, a front armrest, and an audible parking warning system. Stepping up to Premium adds a panoramic roof on the hardtop, a wind-stop on the convertible, a reversing camera, and a stowage net for center console.

Someone is tipping over Car2go Smart ForTwos again

Reportedly, a Car2go ForTwo was tipped over in Seattle on Wednesday, and the Denver police are currently investigating five incidents. "Technically, yeah it is cow tipping, but I'm hoping that it doesn't catch on," says Car2Go customer Daniel Martin from Seattle. "Car tipping" has been a thing ever since microcars became widely available last century. Many a BMW Isetta or a Mini owner left for work only to find their vehicle lifted to another spot or tipped over. In Europe, where plastic-bodied, diesel-engined quadricycles are popular with teenagers too young for a full driver's license, the light vehicles can sometimes be found lying on their roof or on their side – and it's not uncommon for Dutch microcars to end up in the country's numerous canals. Smart cars are especially vulnerable in the eyes of troublemakers, and Car2go ForTwos repeatedly fall victim to night time shenanigans. Multiple vehicles were also damaged during Vancouver's hockey riots in 2011. San Francisco has also had its share of not-so-Smart car vandalism, and the image above shows a car being inspected after a 2014 incident during a "spree" of Fortwo tippings. Car2go says that if your rental car is found not sitting on its wheels, they should be contacted so a solution can be found. Trying to lift a 1,800-pound city car by yourself isn't the kind of morning workout anyone needs. Related Video: Image Credit: Bloomberg via Getty Images Auto News Green Weird Car News smart Transportation Alternatives Ownership car2go smart car vandalism fortwo