2016 Smart Fortwo Prime on 2040-cars

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Smart ForFour prototype spotted alongside next-gen ForTwo

Smart is continuing to test its upcoming ForFour (seen above) model and the replacement for the ForTwo (pictured at the right), this time doing some cold-weather work in Sweden.
As we've reported previously, the ForFour is an all-new vehicle, and it will have more in common with the smaller ForTwo than the short-lived last model that was co-developed with Mitsubishi. This ForFour is instead a collaborative project with Renault, and could spawn what will ultimately become the new Renault Twingo. Some reports have it that Renault is no longer interested in the Smart partnership, but the fact that these testers were wearing French plates and were spotted caravanning with a French-registered Dacia Duster adds a bit of circumstantial evidence that the match is intact.
The new ForTwo was also spied in these snowy environs. The two-seater is expected to be ready to roll before the ForFour - likely coming to market in 2014. The ForFour, meanwhile, might not show up until 2015.

Smart offers $75 lease deal to Car2go users in San Diego

If you've been saving money by sharing a car instead of buying your own, then maybe you have enough left over to go lease one. Because if there's anything that sharing a car should teach you, it's to want your own, right? We're confused, too. Whatever the reasoning, Car2go users in San Diego are being offered an unusual – but darn affordable – deal on a new Smart ForTwo lease: just $75 a month for the Pure model (with $1,493 due at signing, plus government fees and taxes). To put that into Car2go carsharing terms, that's as much as it would cost to share the car for about 182 minutes (or for five hours at the $14.99 hourly max, if you're renting the car that way). The deal is only good for Car2go San Diego members and their family and friends at Smart Center San Diego until January 2, 2015. If you want the Passion model, it'll cost you $99 a month (plus the aforementioned $1,493 at signing). Smart sales a doing okay in the US this year. Through November 2014, Smart has sold 9,480 ForTwos in the US. That's up 13 percent from the 8,409 sold through November 2013. If you'd like to add to the total, and meet the qualifications, we've got the fine print disclosures below, including details on the 10,000 miles a year limit and a $395 turn-in fee. *Disclosure for pure model: Available only to qualified customers through Mercedes-Benz Financial services at only smart center San Diego only through 1/2/2015. On approved above average credit. Advertised lease payment based on MSRP of $14,370. All advertise prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document processing charge, any electronic filing charge, and any emission testing charge. Cash Due at signing Includes $295 acquisition fee, first month's lease payment of $75, total due at signing $1,493 plus government fees and taxes. No security deposit required. Total payments equal $4,448. AT lease end, lessee pays for any amounts due under the lease, any official fees, and taxes related to the scheduled termination, excess wear and use plus 0.25/mile over 30,000 total miles, and a $395 turn-in fee. Purchase option at lease end for $8,478 plus taxes (and any other fees and charges due under the applicable lease agreement) in example shown. Specific vehicles are subject to availability and may have to be ordered. See dealer for details.

2013 Smart ForTwo gets three bite-size new ads

For such a Lilliputian car, the Smart ForTwo has giant staying power. The hatch that still gets wary glances is not only still kicking here in the U.S., it's done ten-straight months of year-on-year sales increases. That kind of sales trend calls for an ad campaign, and we have it in three new 15-second - bite-sized in Smart-speak - commercials.
Two of them, "Tough" and "Joy Ride" have begun running now, the third, "Custom Made," will start airing later this month. They'll be rolled out absolutely everywhere a commercial can be shown, and they'll be joined by banner ads and Facebook activity. We could tell you what the new Smart ads are about, but remember, they're only bite-sized, and you'll find all three just below.