- 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 January 2004, the Smart A450 ForTwo 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 was changed to ForTwo Cabrio for 2004; the related C450 City-Coupe and C450 ForTwo Coupe have been reviewed separately.
Suprex M160E07LA engine
The A450 ForTwo 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 ForTwo Cabrio was 2500 mm long, 1515 mm wide, 1549 mm tall and had a 1812 mm long wheelbase. Furthermore, the ForTwo Cabrio had wishbone front suspension with MacPherson struts and DeDion rear suspension with wishbone coil springs.
| Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ForTwo 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 ForTwo 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 ForTwo Cabrio included 15-inch alloy wheels, a two speaker sound system with CD player, air conditioning, front fog lamps, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift, remote central locking and power windows.
Related links
