2016 Smart Fortwo Passion Coupe on 2040-cars

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2015 Smart ForFour caught in early testing

In the U.S., we've come to know the Smart brand just for its ForTwo, but other markets have seen a wider variety of models from the Daimler brand including the Smart ForFour that was produced from 2004 through 2006. This bigger vehicle from Smart added two extra doors and a rear seat for some passenger space. While we've already seen spy photos for the next ForTwo, judging by these spy shots of a stretched-wheelbase test mule, Smart is hard at work developing a next-generation ForFour as well.
Although the previous ForFour was a result of a collaboration between Daimler and Mitsubishi, the new model is going to be a venture between Daimler and Nissan/Renault. Under the Penske ownership, it was announced that the new Smart B-segment car would be based on the Nissan Micra (which was later scrapped), but we hear that this car will actually ride on a new platform that will eventually be the basis for the next Renault Twingo. Like the current and upcoming ForTwo, the 2015 ForFour will be a rear-engine/rear-wheel-drive car.
While we don't have any information as to what will power the new Smart ForFour, we can almost guarantee that it (along with the new ForTwo) will have a styling that will be very similar to recent Smart concept cars like the ForStars, For-Us and ForVision. The new ForTwo is expected to go on sale in 2014 with the bigger ForFour hitting dealers a year later.

Porsche, Jaguar continue dominance in 2015 JD Power APEAL study

The top of JD Power's 2015 APEAL Study has not changed much in the last year. Porsche remains No. 1 with Jaguar nipping at its heels, although both premium brands saw their overall score fall compared to 2014. For those that need a refresher, the APEAL Study looks at how "gratifying" a vehicle is to own and drive, rating cars and brands on a 1,000-point scale. The industry average for 2015 has increased from 794 to 798, while the total number of automakers that finished above the curve increased from 16 to 20. While Porsche and Jaguar finished at the top, their scores dropped eight and seven points, respectively, to 874 and 855. The top "non-premium" brand was Mini, which scored an impressive 825, up from 795. If the BMW-owned British marque is still a bit too premium for your tastes, last year's non-premium winner, Hyundai, did climb five points and is this year's runner up. At the opposite end of the scale, Smart sits at the very bottom of the rankings, with a score of 683 (it didn't appear on the 2014 rankings). Fiat also dropped, from fourth worst in 2014 to second worst in 2015, despite the 500 being named most appealing city car. Subaru made an impressive climb, from third worst to seventh, falling just 10 points shy of the industry average and two points south of the non-premium average. In the individual vehicle segments, eight brands earned multiple awards, with Ford, Chevrolet, and Porsche earning three apiece. Surprise segment victories included the new Ford Expedition, which beat out Chevy's popular Suburban. The Infiniti QX80 bested the likes of the Cadillac Escalade and Range Rover for best large luxury SUV, and the Dodge Challenger beat its muscle car rivals from Ford and Chevy. Most of the victories, though, were quite predictable. The Mazda6 and CX-5 took wins for the midsize sedan and compact SUV categories respectively, while the Volkswagen Golf captured the compact car win. The Ford F-150 won the large pickup category, while the Porsche Cayman was named most appealing compact premium sporty car. Check out the official release on the 2015 APEAL Study, available below, from JD Power. 2015 U.S. APEAL Study Results The latest safety-related technologies are among the drivers of customer satisfaction with new vehicles, according to the J.D. Power 2015 U.S.

2016 Smart ForTwo Second Drive [w/video]

The best thing I can say about the 2016 Smart ForTwo is that I'd happily drive one again. That's huge praise; I hated the old ForTwo with the fire of a thousand burning Smart cars. And I wasn't alone. The car was panned by media and consumers alike for its cheap, spartan interior, weak fuel economy, and its lousy – no, horrible – transmission. Like, the worst transmission ever created. Ever. All of those problems have been addressed with the new ForTwo. But it's still not a car for everyone, and Smart knows that. Those who want it, want it. Those who don't can't be convinced otherwise. So instead of reaching for mass market appeal, Smart has, um, smartly updated its ForTwo in ways that make it more attractive to folks in the microcar mindset. That starts with design. At 8.8 feet long, the 2016 ForTwo is the same length as its predecessor. That was one part of the car that absolutely could not change, according to Smart boss Dr. Annette Winkler. Instead, Smart widened the ForTwo by almost four inches, allowing for more space inside. The wheels can turn in sharper, too, so the Smart now boasts a 22.8-foot turning circle, which is wicked fun. The Smart now boasts a 22.8-foot turning circle, which is wicked fun. The shape hasn't changed, but the details have. Up front, there's a friendly face with larger headlights and LED running lamps. Around back, the taillights are larger and squared off. It's a more confident design than before, "more substantial than the Smart we've known until now," as European Editor Noah Joseph said in his First Drive of the Euro-spec ForTwo. Plastic body panels adorn the exterior (they're flexible and resilient to shopping cart dings), and some 40 different panel/shell color combinations are available, including a matte finish like you see here. Most people don't think a car this small is in any way safe, but I promise, it is. Even more so now, thanks to increased high-strength material in the "Tridion Cell" frame. Don't believe me? Here's a video of a Smart crashing into a 5,000-pound Mercedes S-Class sedan. See for yourself; the passenger cell remains intact. The cabin is much roomier, thanks to that increase in overall width. Shoving two people inside is still a cozy affair, but the two of you won't exactly be rubbing elbows. Instead, there's ample room for drivers of all sizes, with lots of headroom and hiproom.