Smart has announced the new Fortwo Cabrio, describing it as "three cars in one." The two-seater can be adapted to suit the weather or the driver's mood. It can be used as a closed-top vehicle, with the roof open by way of a sliding canvas sunroof or with the roof removed entirely.
As is typical with Smart cars, the Fortwo Cabrio is pretty dainty, at just 2.69 m (8.8 ft) long and 1.66 m (5.4 ft) wide. Despite this, Smart says it is the "most rigid Smart Cabrio ever," with strength said to have been improved by around 15 percent compared to its predecessor.
There are two engine options from which to choose, both with three cylinders. The 52-kW (71-hp) engine has a top speed of 151 km/h (94 mph) and accelerates from 0-100 mph (0-62 mph) in 14.9 seconds. The 66-kW (90-hp) engine, meanwhile, has a top speed of 155 km/h (96 mph) and can hit 100 km/h (62 mph) from a standstill in 10.8 seconds. Both engines can be coupled with either a five-speed manual transmission or a fully automatic dual-clutch transmission.
The fabric soft top of the Fortwo Cabrio opens fully in 12 seconds. The automatic process can be carried out even when driving or from outside the car by remote control using a button on the key. For what Smart calls the "full-blown Cabrio experience" the roof side-bars can be slotted out and stored in the tailgate, which also provides additional storage for other small items.
The Fortwo Cabrio will debut at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt this September. it will be available to order from November and will hit dealerships from February next year.
Away from the Fortwo Cabrio, Smart has also announced the introduction of "readyspace seats" in the Forfour. The entrance height of the seats can be lowered by 12 cm (4.7 inches) to provide easier access for dogs.
