Mercedes-Benz’s New Fortwo Cabrio Prepares For World Premiere
The countdown has started for Mercedes-Benz’s new fortwo cabrio, a particularly iconic variant of the new model series. The open-top two-seater will have its world premiere in September at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt and will be available for ordering from mid-November and the first models will reach dealers in February 2016.
According to Mercedes-Benze, the new smart cabrio is 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 fully 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,” according to the company’s website.
“Our new smart cabrio really exudes joie de vivre in the city – which is what our brand stands for,” according to Dr Annette Winkler, Head of smart. “I am sure that we will delight our present 220,000 cabrio customers and win lots of new fans with this successful lifestyle icon.”
Merecedes-Benz said, “the new smart cabrio (length/width/height: 2.69/1.66/1.55 m) is clearly recognisable 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.”
According to the company, prospective customers can choose between three different colors for the “tritop” fabric soft top: blue denim (jeans look), red or black. The headlining is always grey. The removable roof bars that can be stowed in a compartment in the tailgate come in the tridion colour.
Soft top: opens within twelve seconds
According to Mercedes-Benz, “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, according to the company, noting 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, for example fluorescent jacket, first-aid kit or warning triangle.
With an area of 1.8 m2 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 20 mm. The rear windscreen is heated and is made of glass.