Smart Forfour
title: "Smart Forfour" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["2010s-cars", "2020s-cars", "cars-introduced-in-2004", "cars-discontinued-in-2021", "cars-of-the-netherlands", "cars-of-slovenia", "city-cars", "ancap-small-cars", "euro-ncap-superminis", "front-wheel-drive-vehicles", "hatchbacks", "rear-engined-vehicles", "rear-wheel-drive-vehicles", "smart-(marque)-vehicles", "vdl-nedcar-vehicles"] topic_path: "geography/netherlands" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_Forfour" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::data[format=table title="Infobox automobile"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Smart Forfour |
| caption | Second generation Smart Forfour |
| image | 2015 Smart Forfour Prime Premium T 900cc.jpg |
| manufacturer | DaimlerChrysler (2004–2006) |
| Daimler AG (2014–2021) | |
| production | 2003–2006 |
| 2014–2021 | |
| class | Supermini (B) (2003–2006) |
| City car (A) (2014–2021) | |
| body_style | 5-door hatchback |
| successor | Smart #1 (EQ Forfour) |
| :: |
| name = Smart Forfour | caption = Second generation Smart Forfour | image = 2015 Smart Forfour Prime Premium T 900cc.jpg | manufacturer = DaimlerChrysler (2004–2006) Daimler AG (2014–2021) | production = 2003–2006 2014–2021 | class = Supermini (B) (2003–2006) City car (A) (2014–2021) | body_style = 5-door hatchback | successor = Smart #1 (EQ Forfour)
The Smart Forfour (stylized as "smart forfour") is a city car (A-segment) marketed by Smart over two generations. The first generation was marketed in Europe from 2003 to 2006 with a front-engine configuration, sharing its platform with the Mitsubishi Colt. The second generation was marketed in Europe from 2014 after an eight-year hiatus, using rear-engine or rear electric motor configurations. It is based on the third-generation Renault Twingo, which also forms a basis for the third-generation Smart Fortwo. A battery electric version was marketed as the EQ Forfour beginning in 2018.
The petrol-powered Forfour was discontinued in 2019 as production of all Smart internal combustion models ended at that time. Production of the EQ Forfour ended in 2021. It was indirectly replaced by the larger Smart #1 crossover.
First generation (W454; 2004)
| name = First generation (W454) | image = 2005 Smart Forfour Pulse 1.1.jpg | production = 2003–2006 | assembly = Netherlands: Born (NedCar) | body_style = 5-door hatchback | layout = Front-engine, front-wheel-drive | engine = {{ubl | petrol: | 1124 cc M134 E11 I3 | 1332 cc M135 E13 I4 | 1468 cc M122 E15 AL turbo I4 | 1499 cc M135 E15 I4 | diesel: | 1493 cc OM639 DE15 cdi I3 | transmission = 5-speed Getrag 452 manual 6-speed Getrag 452 AMT automated manual (Softouch) | class = Supermini (B) | wheelbase = 2500 mm | length = 3752 mm | width = 1684 mm | height = 1450 mm | weight = | related = Mitsubishi Colt Senova D20 Senova X25 Changhe Q25 | designer = | sp =
Production
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/03/Smart_Forfour_1.3_Passion_(W_454)_–_Heckansicht,_1._Mai_2012,_Ratingen.jpg" caption="Rear view"] ::
The car was produced at the NedCar factory in the Netherlands in conjunction with Mitsubishi Motors. This is the same factory that produced Volvo 300s in the 1970s and 1980s and the Volvo S40 in the 1990s. To save production costs, the Smart Forfour shared almost all of its components with the 2003 Mitsubishi Colt. This includes the chassis, suspension and a new generation of MIVEC petrol engines, ranging from the three-cylinder 1124 cc to the four-cylinder with power up to 80 kW.
The Smart Forfour was phased out from production in 2006 due to slow sales.
Equipment
Depending on the version, it came equipped with ESP, ABS (standard on all models), 14-inch or 15-inch alloy wheels or, optional, 16-inch ones (17-inch on the Brabus model), safety cell, a panoramic sunroof (or, optional, electric sunroof), height-adjustable driver seat, illuminated glove box, radio/CD-player, fog lights, front and side airbags (standard on all models), alarm, automatic air conditioning, electric front windows, and as options - multifunctional steering wheel, shift paddles, heated front seats, lounge seats, navigation and color display with telephone keypad or DVD navigation with a larger display, CD changer, window bags, rain sensor, automatic lights on the system (in poor visibility), leather package.
Marketing
The sales brochures state that the interior "is designed around the concept of a lounge"; to test this, Top Gear presenters, James May and Richard Hammond spent 24 hours inside the Forfour. They said they would not buy the car due to its high price and poor driving dynamics compared to its rivals.
Following Smart's initial success for the fortwo in the U.S., and due to surprisingly high popularity in the Forfour, former Mercedes-Benz exec Rainer Schmückle revealed that officials were considering relaunching the car.
Forfour Brabus (2005)
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/22/Smart_forfour_brabus_blue_front.jpg" caption="Smart Forfour Brabus"] ::
Forfour Brabus is a version of Smart Forfour tuned by Brabus with a turbocharged Mitsubishi 4G15 engine rated 130 kW, 27 PS more than the Mitsubishi Colt CZT. It can reach a maximum speed of 221 km/h and accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds.
Engines
::data[format=table] | Engine||Code||Type||Displacement||Power||Torque||Top speed||0–100 km/h (0-62 mph)||Combined consumption||CO2 emissions||Production years | Petrol engines | Diesel engines | |---|---|---| | 1.0 12v | M134 E11 red. | I3 | | 1.1 12v | M134 E11 | I3 | | 1.3 16v | M135 E13 | I4 | | 1.5 16v | M135 E15 | I4 | | 1.5 16v Brabus | M122 E15 AL | I4 turbo | | 1.5 12v cdi 50 kW | OM639 DE15 LA red. | I3 | | 1.5 12v cdi 70 kW | OM639 DE15 LA | 70 kW at 4000 rpm | ::
The 1.5 L common direct injection (cdi) diesel engine, is a three-cylinder Mercedes-Benz engine derived from the four-cylinder used in the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, and is available with either 68 PS or 95 PS.
Transmissions
All models could be equipped with either a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic (Softouch) transmission, except the 1.0-liter version and the Brabus version, which could only use 5-speed manual transmissions.
Safety
|overall_stars=4 |year=2003 |reference_code=2f5295 |description=Smart Forfour variants with side airbags |frontal_offset=11.99/16 |side_impact=12.84/16 |pole=Not assessed |seat_belt_reminders=1/3 |whiplash_protection=Not assessed |pedestrian_protection=Poor |electronic_stability_control=Standard
Second generation (W453; 2014)
| name = Second generation (W453) | image = 2015 Smart Forfour Edition1 1.0 Front.jpg | production = 2014–2019 (petrol) 2017–2021 (electric) | assembly = France: Hambach Slovenia: Novo Mesto (Revoz) | platform = | class = City car (A) | body_style = 5-door hatchback | layout = Rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive | engine = 0.9 L M281 I3 turbocharged (petrol) 1.0 L M281 I3 (petrol) | motor = 82 PS synchronous electric motor | transmission = 5-speed manual 6-speed dual-clutch | front_suspension = | rear_suspension = | wheelbase = 2490 mm | length = 3495 mm | width = 1640 mm | height = 1550 mm | weight = | related = Smart Fortwo (C453) Renault Twingo III | successor = The second-generation Forfour was jointly developed with Renault, reportedly sharing approximately 70% of its parts with the third-generation Renault Twingo, while retaining the trademark hemispherical steel safety cell, marketed as the Tridion cell.{{cite news | title = Das ist keine Geheimniskrämerei (in German) | publisher = Manager Magazine Online, Wilfried Eckl-Dorna, Nov 18, 2013 | url = http://www.manager-magazin.de/unternehmen/autoindustrie/interview-smart-chefin-winkler-positioniert-daimlers-kleinwagen-neu-a-933583.html}} The Fortwo and the Forfour are both manufactured in Smartville. However, the EQ version of the Forfour was manufactured alongside the Renault Twingo 3 in Novo Mesto, Slovenia. Smartville, where the W450 and W451 build series have been manufactured, underwent a 200 million euro upgrade beginning in mid-2013, in preparation for the C453 Fortwo. The second generation Forfour, along with the new Fortwo went on sale in October, shortly after their debuting at the Paris Motor Show.
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0b/2015_Smart_Forfour_Edition1_1.0_Rear.jpg" caption="Rear view"] ::
The Smart Fortwo and Forfour is offered with a choice of manual transmission or double-clutch automatic{{cite news | title = AUTO UND TECHNIK: Das Kuckucksei (in German) | publisher = Focus Magazine, March 17, 2014 | url = http://www.focus.de/auto/ratgeber/zubehoer/auto-und-technik-das-kuckucksei_id_3691518.html}}{{cite news | title = The Smart rehearsing the Snow Waltz (in German) | publisher = Autobild, 3/17/2014 | url = http://www.autobild.de/artikel/smart-fortwo-forfour-mitfahrt-5025816.html}} — and no longer with the Getrag automated manual. Both models feature a wider track, overall width increased by 10 cm (over the second generation Fortwo), improved ride and improved noise isolation.{{cite news |title = Baptism by Fire in the Snow (in German) |publisher = Automobil Revue, 21 March 2014, Thomas Geiger |url = http://www.automobilrevue.ch/artikel/a/feuertaufe-im-schnee.html |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140326033716/http://www.automobilrevue.ch/artikel/a/feuertaufe-im-schnee.html |archive-date = 26 March 2014
For the third generation, Autoweek reported that Daimler consulted with Ford to learn about Ford's 1.0-litre turbocharged inline 3-cylinder engine, in turn sharing information about its own Euro 6 stratified lean-burn gasoline engines.{{cite news | title = Daimler consults Ford on turbo three-cylinder engine development | publisher = Nick Gibbs, Automotive News, 5/24/2013 | url = http://www.autoweek.com/article/20130524/CARNEWS/130529875}}
The launch model "edition #1" was a limited period version, presented in Tempodrom, Berlin. Delivery is scheduled to commence in November 2014 with the Forfour 52 kW and 66 kW models to follow in December 2014, and twinamic dual-clutch transmission models in the spring of 2015.
Smart Fourjoy concept (2013)
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6d/Smart_Fourjoy_IAA_2013.jpg" caption="Smart Fourjoy concept"] ::
Smart Fourjoy concept includes Smart's signature Tridion cell in polished full-aluminium, tail lights integrated in the Tridion cell, spherical instrument cluster, raised smart lettering milled from aluminium on the side skirts, pearlescent white on the bumpers, front bonnet and tailgate; headlamps without a glass cover, U-shaped daytime running lights, LED front and tail lights, transparent petroleum-coloured moulded wind deflector at the top of the front windscreen, on the A-pillars on the sides and on the rear roof spoiler; rear dark chrome seats, a piping-like line with the same petroleum colour as the plexiglass accents on the exterior, instrument panel with convex surface and touch-sensitive operating functions, spherical instrument cluster, single-spoke steering wheel, two smartphones mounted on the dashboard and on the centre tunnel, 55 kW magneto-electric motor, 17.6kWh lithium-ion battery, 22 kW onboard charger, two electrically driven skateboards on the roof, helmets under the rear seats, a high-definition camera.
The vehicle was unveiled at the 2013 Frankfurt Auto Show (without doors and roof).
Concept plug-in hybrid conversion
A concept version, never manufactured, of the Smart Forfour was converted as a plug-in hybrid by third-party vendors. The lithium-ion battery can propel the vehicle up to 84 mph and last on its own for up to 20 mi with an engine that combined a 68 hp, 1.5 L, three-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine and two high-efficiency permanent-magnet electric motors. It received an award from the Energy Saving Trust for the "Ultra Low Carbon Car Challenge" project.
Electric version
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7e/Smart_EQ_forfour_at_IAA_2019_IMG_0799.jpg" caption="EQ forfour"] ::
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7e/Smart_EQ_forfour_at_IAA_2019_IMG_0653.jpg" caption="EQ forfour rear view"] ::
Main article: [[Smart electric drive #Smart EQ Forfour, [Smart Electric Drive]]](smart-electric-drive)
In 2013, Daimler projected it would produce an electric version of the Smart Forfour during the second generation of production, for launch in 2015. The battery-electric smart forfour electric drive entered mass-production in 2017 at Renault's Novo Mesto plant in Slovenia and was marketed in Europe, competing with other electric city cars such as the MG ZS EV, Renault Twingo Z.E (with which it shares many components), and Volkswagen E-up!, including the SEAT Mii electric and Škoda Citigo-e iV, rebadged versions of the E-up!. In 2019, it was restyled and rebranded to Smart EQ ForFour, after Chinese automobile manufacturer Geely took a stake in Daimler, becoming a 50–50 partner in Smart, and Smart pivoted to market electric cars only. The EQ ForFour was discontinued in early 2022.
It used a rear-mounted 60 kW electric motor with a peak torque of 160 Nm and is fitted with a 17.6 kW-hr battery. The EQ Forfour has a rated consumption of 13.1 kWh/100 km (combined) and achieves 160 km range using the NEDC test cycle, dropping to 81 mi on the WLTP cycle. As tested, Autocar had a range of 68 mi, using "a gentle touring driving style", dropping to 50 mi when not driving as carefully. The kerb weight of the electric forfour is 1200 kg, approximately 225 kg heavier than an equivalent petrol-powered forfour.
Powertrain
::data[format=table]
| Petrol engines | Model | Years | Type/code | Power, torque@rpm | Electric motor | Model | Years | Type/code | Power, torque@rpm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forfour 45 kW | 2015–2017 | 999 cc I3 | 60 PS@?, ?@? | ||||||
| Forfour 52 kW | 2014–2019 | 999 cc I3 | 71 PS@?, 91 Nm@2850 | ||||||
| Forfour 66 kW | 2014–2019 | 898 cc I3 turbo | 90 PS@?, 135 Nm@2500 | ||||||
| Forfour Brabus | 2016–2018 | 898 cc I3 turbo | 108 PS@?, 175 Nm@2500 | ||||||
| EQ Forfour | 2017–2021 | synchronous electric motor | 82 PS (60 kW), 160 Nm | ||||||
| :: |
All petrol models are available with a 5-speed manual or 6-speed twinamic dual-clutch transmission.
Sales
A total of 248,856 second-generation Forfours have been produced, 14.9% of them (32,326 units) being electric models.
References
References
- (2019-09-05). "Say hello to the new all-electric Smart range".
- "Smart EQ ForFour Production Ends To Make Room For Future Growth".
- (July 10, 2020). "Smart forfour 66kW Perfect specs and photos • Auto Types".
- "forfour".
- John Neff. "SMART forfour production ends - Mitsubishi and DaimlerChrysler part ways". Autoblog.com.
- (6 September 2005). "Smart Forfour, the prices 2005". Smart UK.
- (2008-01-31). "Comeback planned for Smart ForFour". Motor Authority.
- "New Renault Twingo spotted".
- "World premiere of the new Smart Fortwo and Forfour on 16 July in Berlin - In the thick of the action: experience the new smart generation celebrating its debut via live stream from the Tempodrom".
- "Next Smart Fortwo, Forfour to debut July 16, previewed in design sketches".
- "Prices start at less than €11,000: At the starting line: the new smart generation".
- (September 9, 2013). "FourJoy reveals stats of Smart ForFour".
- "Smart jumps Fourjoy in Germany [w/video]".
- "Gaia: Gaia". Gaia-akku.com.
- (2006-12-12). "A plug-in Hybrid that can go 84". Gadgetell.com.
- Mike Szostech. "Smart ForFour Electric Drive confirmed for 2015". My Electric Car Forums.
- Morgan-Freelander, Tom. (3 January 2022). "Smart EQ ForFour ends production ahead of Concept #1 SUV launch". Autocar.
- Ingram, Alex. (25 January 2020). "New Smart EQ ForFour 2020 review". AutoExpress.
- (December 28, 2017). "smart forfour electric drive".
- "Smart Forfour Electric Drive 2017-2019 review". Autocar.
- "Slovenia's Revoz terminates production of Smart Forfour model - report".
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