- Economical turbocharged 698 cc engine
- Small turning circle
- Open-top appeal
- Suspension lacks compliance
- Short-travel suspension lacks compliance
- Countersteering needed against strong winds
- Semi-automatic transmission provides slow gearshifts
- No steering wheel adjustment
- Cabin lacks sound insulation
Overview
Released in June 2003, the Smart A450 Cabrio was a two-seat convertible with a power-operated soft-top roof. Manufactured in Hambach, France, the rear-wheel drive Cabrio was powered by a 698cc turbocharged three cylinder petrol engine that was mated to either a six-speed automatic or a six-speed semi-automatic transmission. Initially marketed in Australia as the ‘Cabrio’, the model name from 2004 was ForTwo Cabrio ; the related C450 City-Coupe and C450 ForTwo Coupe have been reviewed separately.
M160E07LA engine
The City Cabrio was powered by Suprex-designed 698 cc M160E07LA engines which had aluminium construction, a Garrett GT12 turbocharger, a single overhead camshaft, two valves per cylinder, two spark plus per cylinder and a compression ratio of 9.0:1.
Dimensions and suspension
The A450 Cabrio was 2500 mm long, 1515 mm wide, 1549 mm tall and had a 1812 mm long wheelbase. Furthermore, the A450 Cabrio had wishbone front suspension with MacPherson struts and DeDion rear suspension with wishbone coil springs.
| Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City Cabrio | 698cc turbo petrol I3 | 6sp auto, 6sp semi-auto |
45 kW at 5250 rpm | 95 Nm at 2000-4000 rpm |
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for the Smart Cabrio included dual front airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control with corner braking control and traction control.
Features
Standard features for the Smart Cabrio included 15-inch alloy wheels with 145/65 R15 front and 175/55 R15 rear tyres, a two speaker sound system with a CD player, air conditioning, front fog lamps, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift, remote central locking and power windows.
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