Smart working on re inventing iconic ForTwo

SMALL-car specialist Smart is investigating the feasibility of reinventing its iconic ForTwo for the modern age, with the firm's European boss telling us the model will "define the A-segment" by staying true to the company's core values.

- Richard Ingram [e-mail]

Speaking exclusively to Auto Express, Smart's European CEO Dirk Adelmann said to “stay tuned” for more information on the next-generation city car. “The A-segment is, for us, very interesting, because it is growing,” he said. It’s thought the model could launch by the end of the decade, priced from around £20,000.

Separately, Smart’s head of design Kai Sieber told us: “The ForTwo is the core of our brand. It’s still our very clear intention to bring it back.”

While the new car will most likely retain its compact footprint and spacious interior, it won't double down on retro design, according to Adelmann. Asked whether he and his team are keeping a keen eye on the new Renault 5, as well as established remakes such as the Fiat 500 and modern MINI, Adelmann said: “I really like [the R5] from a design perspective.

“But if we come back with a vehicle that is smaller than #1 and #3, then we will make sure it’s a true Smart. That doesn't have to be retro; Smart doesn't usually do retro - we are looking at what's next,” he said.

Given the separation Smart has created between the visually similar #1 and #3, and the new, boxier #5, we expect the firm’s designers to take the new city car in a different direction stylistically.

That said, there are certain non-negotiables, according to Adelmann: “We will definitely have some Smart-family elements,” he told us. “Like frameless doors; we'll put the wheels in the corners. That we will keep.”