Smart Fortwo: Stretched to the Limits, Hearse Version Coming Soon…

To be precise, UK limo specialist Carbonyte took a Smart Fortwo and stretched its chassis by 106.2 inches (2700mm) to create a 17 feet long vehicle (5100 mm) - about the size of a Mercedes-Benz S-Class. According to the UK firm, despite growing twice its normal length (2695mm), the Smart’s new lightweight alloy chassis allows the vehicle to be powered by its original 600cc engine and still reach motorway speeds of 80mph. In all, the build process took 300 man hours over four weeks from the initial chassis cut to the final paintwork.

The prototype model you see in the pictures was designed as a promotional vehicle, featuring a 20:1 scale fibre-glass replica soft drinks can, complete with ring-pull, which serves as van-like storage space for promotional items. The stretched Smart Fortwo can be liveried to any client’s design choice and hired on a daily basis or it can be manufactured outright at a projected cost of around £25,000 or approx $49,400.

We know it’s eerie, but Carbonyte is also looking to take the stretched Fortwo into the funeral industry by using the latest electric technology to produce an individual yet environmentally-friendly hearse. Now that’s something we definitely want to see – from the outside that is … -Click through for more pics

Smart Delivers 100,000th Second Generation Fortwo

Since the introduction of the second generation Fortwo at the end of March 2007, Smart has sold 100,000 units of its minicar. On March 31, 2008, Smart Ulrich Kowalewski, director of the Mercedes-Benz Center Munich handed over the 100,000th second-generation Fortwo to a 36-year-old customer in the recently re-opened smart Center Munich. Following its U.S. sales start in January, Smart has made its cars available in 37 countries worldwide.

Video: 5th Gear’s Tipsy Turvy Double-Decker Smart Fortwo

The guys over at the British motoring TV show 5th Gear had the dazzling idea of bolting two Smart Fortwo models together in order to create a four-seater mini car. They then compared their double-decker Fortwo with Mitsubishi’s four-door “I” minicar. Among other things, they 5th Gear performed a maneuverability test. And yes; the double-decker Smart Fortwo failed miserably… -Video after the jump

Geneva Show: Smart Fotwo “Edition Limited Two”

Celebrating its world premier in Geneva, the Smart Fortwo “edition limited two" will be produced in a limited series of just 2,000 vehicles and is characterised by exclusive colouring and a high quality mix of materials. The new edition is available as a coupé and a cabriolet and is based on the "passion" equipment variant. The "edition limited two’s" interior is dressed in cognac brown leather with a two-tone contrasting seam. Additional matt silver highlights on the speedometer, cockpit clock, rev counter and steering wheel round off the changes. –Continued after the jump

As for the exterior, the Fortwo gets a special "light blue metallic" finish that was created especially for the “edition limited two” along with the 6-spoke alloy wheels with wide tires. Among other things it comes with the automatic softouch gear mode, electric windows, A/C with automatic temperature control, a dust and pollen filter and a panoramic roof with sunblind on the coupé. In addition, the standard equipment of the "edition limited two" includes dashboard instruments and Smart's "radio 9" hi-fi system.

The limited edition two-seater is powered by a 71 bhp petrol engine matted to automated 5-speed transmission which also allows manual gear shifting if desired.

Geneva Preview: BRABUS SLR McLaren Roadster & Smart Ultimate 112

For this year’s Geneva International Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz Group tuning specialist Brabus, is proposing an oddly pair of vehicles, the SLR McLaren Roadster and the Ultimate 112, both with absolutely identical special snow-white paint and equipment. BRABUS offers both exclusive speedsters for a package price of €699,000 or about $1,061,000.

The one we all would like to own is of course the SLR McLaren Roadster. Apart from the white carbon-fiber skin, the Brabus tuned version is equipped with a bodykit that includes a carbon-fiber front spoiler, a rear apron with a carbon-fiber diffuser and new lightweight 20-inch alloy wheels wrapped around Pirelli or YOKOMAMA tires (255/30 ZR 20 up front and 305/25 ZR 20 at the rear). Inside, the drop-top SLR’s cabin is dressed in a combination of lipstick-red leather and black Alcantara while it also features a new sport-steering wheel with a flattened

Finally, the SLR also gets a tuning kit for its 5.5-liter supercharged V8 engine that consists of special camshafts and a fuel-cooling system. Power output increases by 24 Hp to 650 Hp. BRABUS also offers a special clutch-type limited-slip differential with a locking rate of 40 percent for the SLR. The tuned SLR Roadster goes from rest to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.6 sec and reaches a top speed of 337 km/h (211 mph).

The ultimate accessory for the snow-white SLR McLaren Roadster is without doubt, the Smart ForTwo Cabrio based, ULTIMATE 112. In addition to its special paint identical to the SLR the ultimate city sports car features a muscular body kit with front spoiler, rocker panels, wider fender flares front and back and new 18-inch alloys combined with 205/35 tires up front and 235/30 at the back. -Continued after the jump

Brabus has also tuned the three-cylinder turbo engine that produces a maximum power output of 112 hp at 5,600 rpm. That’s good enough for a zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) time of 9.5 sec. Top speed is electronically limited to 170 km/h or 106 mph.

Like its big brother, the ULTIMATE 112’s interior is upholstered in a combination of soft and lipstick-red BRABUS Mastik leather and black Alcantara. Embossed BRABUS emblems are part of the exclusive concept as are accents such as speedometer, tach and clock, instrument bezels, dashboard trim, turn signal lever and door handles, all color-coordinated with the exterior color. Stainless-steel foot pedals with rubber pads and an aluminum shifter and emergency brake lever complete the package.

BRABUS SLR McLaren Roadster

BRABUS SMART ULTIMATE 112

Euro NCAP: 2008 Smart Fortwo Gets Four Star Rating

Smart’s all-new 2008 Fortwo has received four out of five stars in Euro NCAP’s latest adult occupant protection rating. The miniscule two-seater also obtained a mediocre 2-star rating in pedestrian safety. Since the Smart ForTwo has no rear seats, consequently it wasn’t assessed by Euro NCAP for child protection. Comparatively, the Fortwo’s predecessor, the City Coupe had received a three out of five stars in Euro NCAP’s 2000 tests. -One more pic after the jump