thesmartclub ltd … since 2000
www.thesmartclub.com
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‘4site’ : Issue 21
2012-#1
thesmartclub ltd … since 2000
www.thesmartclub.com
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‘4site’ : Issue 21
2012-#1
thesmartclub ltd … since 2000
Club News
QR Codes
How to join thesmartclub Joining thesmartclub could not be easier and we have a number of options available to you.
Online If you have access to the internet, simply log on to our web site at www.thesmartclub.com and click the ‘Join the Club’ menu option. Here you will find two options, one giving web only access, the other giving you web access plus four copies of ‘4site’ and a Privilege Card!!
Offline (postal) We are very aware that many people do not have regular access to internet services and, as such, we offer an ‘offline’ membership service. You receive a copy of ‘4site’ delivered to your door each quarter, Event information and application forms by post and automatic entitlement to our ‘Privilege Card’. Of course you also benefit from full telephone and fax support. Simply write to us at:
thesmartclub ltd, PO Box 28549 Edinburgh, EH4 5WB, UK
Our Membership Card – smart saving!
Now in its 8th year, our ‘Privilege Card’ continues to go from strength to strength bringing you discounts on servicing and parts from multiple smart centres in addition to significant discounts from third party organisations. Plus you receive discounted pricing in thesmartclub’s Online Store and, better still, benefit from significant discounts on our Major Events prices.
Issue 18 of ‘4site’ Magazine introduced the concept of QR codes being included in a number of features and articles throughout all subsequent issues of the magazine. We’ve continue dto build upon this facility in this Issue of ’4site’ with links to key web pages, online application forms and even, for Al’s Autos (see Page 6), the ability to send an sms directly to the Company to seek further information. You can find a large number of apps in the iPhone App Store to read QR Codes, including the (free) QRReader. In terms of what equipment you need to read these codes, most Android phones, newer Nokia phones and BlackBerries are able to read the codes without the need to install any software. Windows Mobile users can download QuickMarks. When you’re ready to go, all you need to do is launch the appropriate app on your phone, and point your phone's camera at the QR code you want to scan. After a short recognition ‘bleep’ you will be presented with a range of options based upon what the QR code contains – for the purpose of this issue of 4site, all QR codes in this issue will provide you with the URL (address) of a web site relevant to the company or service listed – simply click the launch or open button on your QR app to go straight to that company’s web site. No more keying of web addresses! Future issues of ‘4site’ will continue to build upon all these features and will not only web addresses, but provide you the ability to go straight to images, downloads and data relevant to thesmartclub or its advertisers plus send sms/text messages straight to the relevant company. You can try your phone now on the QR codes below to route to thesmartclub:
thesmartclub
Full Membership of thesmartclub includes a Privilege Card as part of the ‘Pack’ and we also have a number of UK smart Dealerships providing Membership Packs with every new and used car purchased – contact thesmartclub for more details!
www.thesmartclub.com
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Events – Preview
smart times 2012
Smartville Hambach & BRABUS 2012 It seems that the time passing between each annual visit to smartville, Hambach, France gets shorter and shorter! But yes, it’s that time of year again and, in 2012, we’ll be combining our trip to the birthplace of smart (smartville, Hambach) with another visit to the smart facilities at BRABUS, Bottrop, Germany! So – let’s start with smartville. As many of our readers and members will know, this annual visit has become a pilgrimage for many and whilst places are limited due to the factory facilities in smartville, the places for our trip are normally filled within minutes of our application process launching with some hardy regulars always seeming to be first with their fingers on the ‘submit’ button or hovering by their phone. So when are we going? This year sees us depart for France on Sunday 20th May and we visit smartville on Monday 21st May. Our favourite hotel in Saarbrucken will again act as our overnight place to relax and socialise and, as ever, Tuesday 22nd is a day of rest, sightseeing and socialising. Wednesday 23rd we leave Saarbrucken and head up through Germany to Bottrop for an overnight halt at another one of our favourite hotels in that city prior to a superb visit around the smart BRABUS complex in Bottrop on Thursday 24th May. Finally, we leave Bottrop Friday 25th May and head back to Calais for a return crossing to the UK. Our regulars will recall the long and superb relationship that we had established with Sea France – it was with deep regret that we followed the demise of this company and our thoughts and gratitude goes out to all those staff and colleagues who have lost their jobs as a result of the Sea France collapse. We have now established a new relationship with P&O Ferries and we’ll be using this company for our return crossing complete with dedicated queuing lanes for our outward journey. Once again, applications will launch late February 2012 both online and by phone. Our thanks go to Barrie Cox and Amanda Randall for their continued superb assistance with this event.
www.thesmartclub.com
Once again, thesmartclub will be heading to one of the world’s largest, if not the largest, gathering of smart cars and smart enthusiasts – yes, it’s time for ‘smart times’ and 2012 sees the international event move to Antwerp, Belgium. Following on from the launch of our expression of interest form (smarttimes2012.com) and the information published in Issue 20 of ‘4site’ Magazine, we already have huge enthusiasm from people wanting to know more about the event and, importantly head to Antwerp for this superb smart spectacle. thesmartclub will not only be providing the latest news and information about the event, accommodation and features, but, for a lucky number of people, we’ll also be organising our traditional but exclusive smart times ‘package’ from the UK to and from this Event. Details of the package will be published online via our web site and via smarttimes 2012.com and will include a return channel crossing, pre registration for the event, full information packs and 4 nights accommodation in the superb Radisson Blu Astrid Hotel, Antwerp, Belgium.
The Hotel has been chosen for its quality, central location in Antwerp (so that participants in the package can benefit from the local attractions) and for its proximity to the main smart times event area. In addition, the package provides you with full access to all the Hotel’s leisure facilities and free WiFi access for the duration of your stay. thesmartclub’s Group package will leave the UK on Thursday 23rd August and will return to the UK Monday 27th August. Package places will be limited.
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Advertiser Features & QRs S2Smarts BBQ and Dyno Day Sunday 11th March. “We welcome all Smart Enthusiasts and owners to our BBQ and Dyno day on Sunday 11th March starting at 10AM. Give your Smart a power run on our in house Dyno, meet other Smart enthusiasts and Traders inc Smartmods, S-Mann and Smart Trailers and see the launch of the S2Smarts Race Team.”
smart of Wolverhampton
www.thesmartclub.com
S2smarts
Tune4Performance
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The smart Racing Club
‘4site’ : Issue 21
Daimler Insurance Services Ltd
2012-#1
thesmartclub ltd … since 2000
Dealership Special Offer
Mods & Maintenance!
thesmartclub is delighted to announce a range of very special offers available from smart of Coldstream and smart of Edinburgh celebrating the opening of the Coldstream Approved Repairer site. Both Coldstream and Edinburgh are offering the following superb deals:
It’s been a while since we featured any DIY tips on a Roadster Coupe and, with the large rear section on these models, we thought it worthwhile publishing a reminder on how to remove the real panels from this car. This follows the same principle as for the standard Roadsters with the addition of having to remove the rear windows. If you have a Brabus, you will need to remove the side skirts as described in earlier issues of ’4site’ Magazine (you can download previous issues via thesmartclub web site homepage). Start by opening the boot and removing the seal. It just pulls off.
"A" service from £145 "B" service from £195 Air Con Service £49 Wheel Alignment £39.99 Front Brake Pads £99 Front Brake Pads & Discs £199 MOT £40 All these offers include vat & fitting. PLUS, as a Member of thesmartclub, you can benefit from an ADDITIONAL 10% discount to the prices shown above. Contact details for smart of Edinburgh are shown opposite and you can contact smart of Coldstream on +44(01890-883272.
www.thesmartclub.com
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Reach inside the boot. You will notice that both of the rear windows are secured with a number of screws. Use a TX25 bit to loosen them all. Be careful when you remove the last one - ensure that someone is holding the glass in order to prevent it from falling.
holes for loosening the TX25 screws on top of the back panel.
Undo all of these.
Remove both of the windows and place them safely out of the way.
There are 4 in total. You don't need to remove the light clusters. It is easier to disconnect these at a later stage.
This is the coupé with the windows off. Note the metal window frames which are welded to the tridion. This demonstrates that coupés were made alongside the standard Roadsters and not born from it. Turning one into the other is not directly possible.
Undo the 3 TX25 screws along either side...
Push the carpet back along the front to reveal the
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...and the two on each of the air scoops.
Follow the air scoops down to the bottom. Underneath the car, you will notice an access flap. Open this up to reveal 2 more TX25 screws on both sides.
Remove the numberplate lights to make the whole panel free. With one person one side and one the other, pull the arches away from the car.
On the inside of the wheel arches, there are two pop studs on either side. These remove by pushing the centre pin all the way through. Be careful that you don't lose the pin as they can be reused. However, if you do need replacements, you can order them from your local smart parts counter under the following part number: SQ000 7370 V000 0000 0.
Whilst holding these away, gently move the panel away from the back of the car. When there is enough clearance, reach down to disconnect the rear light clusters.
Finally there are two remaining TX25 screws on the honeycomb inserts on the rear.
www.thesmartclub.com
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As ever, thesmartclub gratefully acknowledges the cooperation of FQ101 for their cooperation and permission to publish the above DIY guides.
‘4site’ : Issue 21
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thesmartclub ltd … since 2000
Al Young interviews: Dr Annette Winkler – January 2012 thesmartclub was delighted to be given the opportunity to interview Dr Annette Winkler, Head of smart and gain further insight into her passion for both the smart brand and the smart community.
When you first stepped into a smart fortwo, what were your initial reactions? The first time I saw a smart, even before its launch, I loved it straight away and was absolutely enthusiastic about it. The two-colour concept, the unique shape, a real "icon" – I'd never seen a car like this before! And the wide, likeable smile on its face immediately caught my eye. Today I always say "smile comes as standard" at smart – and I mean both our car and the faces of most people who look at it! I was really amazed the first time I sat in a smart. I couldn't believe that a car with such a short length could have so much space inside – which is why the fortwo had a real "wow effect" on me. Today as the head of smart I know that the enormous interior space is the result of very sophisticated technology and excellent engineering skills – back then I was quite simply overwhelmed! Als ich den ersten smart sah, noch vor seiner Markteinführung, war ich sofort total begeistert. Die Zweifarbigkeit, die einzigartige Form, ein echtes „Icon“, so eine Art von Auto hatte ich noch nie gesehen! Und das breite, sympathische Lächeln der Fahrzeugfront ist mir sofort ins Auge gefallen. Heute sage ich immer „smile comes standard“ beim smart – und meine damit sowohl unser Auto, als auch die Gesichter der meisten Betrachter! Wirklich perplex war ich, als ich dann zum ersten Mal im smart saß. So viel Platz bei so geringer Länge, das konnte ich mir vorher
www.thesmartclub.com
gar nicht vorstellen und entsprechend hatte der fortwo einen richtigen „WOW-Effekt“ auf mich. Heute als smart Chefin weiss ich, dass dieser im Verhältnis riesige Innenraum das Ergebnis sehr ausgefeilter Technik und jeder Menge Ingenieurskunst ist – damals war ich schlicht „baff“. -------------------------------What is it about the smart brand that excites you? At smart we succeed in combining the driving pleasure and emotional appeal of our vehicles with advantages for everyone in the city: fewer emissions, less space taken up on the road and more colour in the grey monotony of everyday life. The founders of smart were the first to radically rethink the subject of "urban mobility". Against the background of climate change, metropolisation, strict emission laws and a new environmental consciousness there are suddenly lots of imitators. But we are the original, and that's something I'm really proud of. Ever since smart was founded it has been a brand for anyone aged between 18 and 98 who is looking for an agile, low-emission and smart way of getting around the world's cities. People driving smart are always young at heart, no matter how old they are. That's great and something I love - just like our fortwo, which has become an icon of urban mobility since it established its own class of vehicle a good 13 years ago. Bei smart schaffen wir es, die Fahrfreude und Emotionalität unserer Fahrzeuge mit Vorteilen für alle Menschen in der Stadt zu verbinden: weniger Emissionen, weniger Platzverbrauch, mehr Farbe im grauen Alltag. Die Gründer von smart haben als erste das Thema „urbane Mobilität“ radikal neu gedacht! Vor dem Hintergrund von Klimawandel, Metropolisierung, strengen EmissionsRegularien und auch einem neuen UmweltBewusstsein gibt es plötzlich viele Nachahmer. Aber wir sind das Original, und darauf bin ich wirklich stolz. smart ist seit seiner Gründung eine Marke für jedermann zwischen 18 und 98, der flink, emissionsarm und eben „smart“ in den Städten der Welt unterwegs sein will. Wer smart fährt, ist immer „young at heart“, egal, welches Alter er hat. Ich finde das großartig und sehr sympathisch - genau wie unseren fortwo, der zu einer Ikone der urbanen Mobilität geworden ist, seit er vor gut 13 Jahren seine eigene Fahrzeugklasse begründet hat.
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I recall reading that one of your proudest achievements was acquiring your licence to drive heavy trucks as your role at that time involved liaising with many truck customers – driving the product helped you understand the needs of the customer. What is it about the global smart community that gives you a buzz? The greatest motivation is to have a task which is meaningful. smart is a brand with products that have just that – namely to make the cities of this world a little bit more attractive and better for their inhabitants. The founders of smart have created an ingenious brand with incredible attention to detail that today stands for urban mobility like no other. The fortwo is a unique product, offering everyone benefits and smart drivers lots of enjoyment. With our plant in Hambach, we have a unique factory that has already written automotive history. We have an incredibly dedicated and creative team where everyone is passionate about smart. We have a fantastically dedicated network of dealers in 45 markets. And all over the world we have smart drivers who decided to drive our fortwo and have and convey the attitude that less is often just more. Being given the responsibility to develop this unique brand, based on the work of lots of people in the last 20 years, and to lead it to a successful future makes my heart beat faster! The fact that I can share this responsibility and my whole enthusiasm for smart with so many great people makes me very happy each and every day. Die größte Motivation ist, wenn man eine Aufgabe hat, mit der man Sinn stiften kann. smart ist eine Marke und bietet Produkte, die genau das zum Inhalt haben, nämlich die Städte dieser Welt für deren Bewohner ein wenig schöner und besser zu machen. Die Gründer von smart haben mit einer unglaublichen Liebe zum Detail eine geniale Marke geschaffen, die heute, wie keine andere, für „urban mobility“ steht. Wir haben mit dem fortwo ein einzigartiges Produkt, das viel Nutzen und den smart-Fahrern viel Freude bringt. Wir haben mit unserem Werk in Hambach eine einzigartige Fabrik, die schon jetzt Automobilgeschichte geschrieben hat. Wir haben ein unglaublich engagiertes und kreatives Team, in dem jeder für smart „brennt“. Wir haben in 45 Märkten ein phantastisch engagiertes Händlernetz. Und wir haben überall auf der Welt die smart-Fahrer, die unseren fortwo bewusst fahren und die Haltung haben und ausstrahlen, dass weniger eben oft viel mehr ist.
www.thesmartclub.com
Die Verantwortung bekommen zu haben, diese einzigartige Marke, aufbauend auf der Arbeit vieler Menschen in den letzten 20 Jahren, weiterzuentwickeln und in eine erfolgreiche Zukunft zu führen, macht mir Herzklopfen. Die Tatsache, dass ich diese Verantwortung und meine ganze Begeisterung für smart mit so vielen großartigen Menschen teile, macht mich froh und glücklich. Jeden Tag aufs Neue. -------------------------------Community events such as ‘smart times’, genuinely bring together smart enthusiasts from multiple cultures and countries – in your view, what makes events such as these so special and so important? smart times was invented by fans and despite an ever-increasing number of attendees it is still a great opportunity for the smart community to get together with a special flair that we want to preserve. I'm already really looking forward to smart times in Antwerp this summer! Such opportunities to meet smart fans give my colleagues and I lots of ideas and are a real motivation to keep making the smart better and better. And of course smart times is a great opportunity to meet our biggest fans and to say thank you. For their loyalty, their ideas and their commitment to smart. This is also why there will be one evening exclusively dedicated to the smart family in Antwerp with great food and drinks, to which I would like to take the opportunity to warmly invite all friends of smart, where we will celebrate together and spend a wonderful evening just among us. smart times wurde von Fans erfunden und ist trotz steigender Teilnehmerzahlen ein wunderschönes get-together der smart Community geblieben, das wir alle miteinander mit seinem besonderen Geist bewahren wollen. Ich freue mich schon riesig auf smart times diesen Sommer in Antwerpen! Solche Treffen mit smart Fans geben mir und uns sehr viele Ideen und auch echte Motivation, den smart immer noch besser zu machen. Und dann ist smart times natürlich eine tolle Chance, unseren größten Fans zu begegnen und danke sagen zu können. Für ihre Treue, ihre Ideen, ihr Engagement für den smart. Deswegen wird es in Antwerpen auch einen Abend exklusiv nur für die smart Familie geben, mit leckerem Essen und Getränken, zu dem ich schon heute alle smart Freunde sehr herzlich einlade und wo wir alle miteinander feiern und unter uns sein können.
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At the majority of smart meetings (local, national or international), it’s nearly impossible to find two identical smart cars parked next to each other – why do you think that this personalisation and diversification has become so synonymous with smart? Yes, that makes the smart stand out from other cars and I think it's great that so many people take advantage of it and create their very own personal smart. People increasingly want to express their individuality and at smart we offer more opportunities to personalise a car than all others. Already the smart in itself is a statement: that less is more, that you don't need a huge car to express your personality. Our car really is classless and delights people – be it as a Brabus tailor made or as a pulse, passion or pure. With the two-colour concept and the versatile bodypanels anyone can create their very own car, regardless of their financial resources.
it's hard to believe that this design was established back in 1998 and that the exterior has barely been changed since 2007! The fortwo is quite simply a brilliant car. Stimmt! Der fortwo ist seit 13 Jahren einzigartig und hat bis heute keinen einzigen Wettbewerber, der die 2,69 Meter Gesamtlänge erreicht. Und sein Design ist tatsächlich völlig zeitlos, jung, es wirkt richtig frisch und überhaupt nicht in die Jahre gekommen! Bei der letzten IAA in Frankfurt stand der fortwo electric drive der 3. Generation auf der Bühne, direkt neben ganz neuen Karosseriekonzepten von Mercedes-Benz. Unser smart wirkte da völlig gleichberechtigt, schick und jung – man glaubt gar nicht, dass dieses Design schon 1998 begründet und seit 2007 im Exterieur kaum verändert wurde! Wir haben mit dem fortwo einfach ein geniales Auto. --------------------------------
Ja, das zeichnet den smart aus, und ich finde es großartig, dass so viele Leute davon Gebrauch machen und sich ihren ganz besonderen smart gestalten. Die Menschen werden immer individueller, und bei smart bieten wir mehr Möglichkeiten als alle anderen, diese Individualität auch beim Auto auszudrücken. Schon mit dem smart an sich macht man ja ein Statement. Das weniger mehr ist, das man kein riesiges Auto braucht, um seine Persönlichkeit auszudrücken. Unser Auto ist wirklich klassenlos, und es kann Menschen als brabus tailormade ebenso begeistern wie als pulse, passion oder pure. Mit dem Zweifarbkonzept und den flexiblen Bodypanels kann jeder, unabhängig von seinen finanziellen Mitteln, ein ganz eigenes Auto gestalten. ------------------------------The fortwo (previously the city coupé) is an iconic model that, some 13 years after launch, still turns heads – why do you think this car has stood the test of time? That's right! For 13 years the fortwo has been unique and there is still not a single competitor to reach the total length of 2.69 metres. And its design really is completely timeless and young; it has a really fresh look and shows no signs of ageing! At the last International Motor Show in Frankfurt the 3rd generation fortwo electric drive was presented on stage, right next to brand new Mercedes-Benz car concepts. Our smart appeared completely equal, stylish and young –
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Following brand development during 20032006 into the Roadster and forfour, how do you see the future of the smart automotive models developing over the next 5 years? Every smart, on four wheels or two, must be a perfect match for city life and city traffic. Functional, for example with extremely compact dimensions, low or no emissions, a high level of safety, ease of repair in the event of small bumps and scratches. And with emotional appeal thanks to its unique, cheery and positive design. In the next five years, and surely also beyond, we will stay true to ourselves, and with the fortwo, the smart ebike as a smart on 2 wheels and the smart four-seater in future we will offer intelligent mobility solutions that think one step further and are made one step smarter in decisive points than other vehicle concepts. What's more, we are always thinking about further products – as you can see with our show cars such as the forvision, forspeed and for-us, as are our two-wheelers. For example, in addition to the ebike study we also presented the escooter study in Paris, which we are currently examining in terms of feasibility. But we will shape the future not just with our vehicles, but also with their intelligent use in mobility concepts such as car2go.
Jeder smart, ob auf vier oder auf zwei Rädern, muss perfekt zum Leben und dem Verkehr in der Stadt passen. Funktionell, beispielsweise.
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durch super kompakte Maße, wenig oder keine Emissionen, hohe Sicherheit, Reparaturfreundlichkeit bei kleinen Remplern und Kratzern. Und emotional durch absolut einzigartiges, fröhliches und positives Design. Dabei bleiben wir uns in den kommenden fünf Jahren und ganz sicher auch darüber hinaus treu, und werden mit dem fortwo, dem smart ebike als smart auf 2 Rädern und in der Zukunft dem smart Viersitzer intelligente Mobilitätslösungen anbieten, die in einigen entscheidenden Punkten weiter gedacht und schlauer gemacht sind als andere Fahrzeugkonzepte. Außerdem denken wir immer über weitere Produkte nach, das sehen Sie ja auch an unseren Showcars wie forvision, forspeed, for-us und auch bei den Zweirädern. Hier haben wir in Paris neben der ebike-Studie bereits eine Studie des escooter präsentiert, dessen Realisierbarkeit wir aktuell noch am prüfen sind. Es sind aber nicht nur die Fahrzeuge, sondern auch deren intelligente Nutzung in Mobilitätskonzepten wie car2go, mit denen wir die Zukunft gestalten werden. --------------------------------
With the launch of the smart ev and the wonderful development on the smart e-bike and e-scooter, we have seen some truly innovative thinking – what is your desire for the overall smart brand over the coming years? If someone thinks of urban mobility, he or she has to think first of smart. Of the fortwo, the ebike and all the products still to come. At the same time, one of our main focuses is also further advancing electric mobility, making it affordable for everyone, demonstrating our high skills in this drive technology and how well it blends with a smart. Wenn jemand an Mobilität in der Stadt denkt, dann muss er zuerst an smart denken. An den
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fortwo, das ebike, und alle Produkte, die noch kommen. Dabei wollen wir insbesondere auch die Elektromobilität weiter nach vorne bringen, sie für jedermann erschwinglich machen und zeigen, wie gut wir diese Antriebstechnologie beherrschen und wie gut sie zu smart passt. -------------------------------Looking back over your previous 18 months at smart, what do you see as being your proudest moments? My proudest moment? Since being appointed head of smart I have been continuously proud! Of my fantastic team, our products and all the great ideas that we at smart develop. Well, of course there are sometimes special moments that make me even prouder than usual. For example, when the small ebike team consisting of young people from lots of different countries showed me the first smart ebike. Or when after lots of discussions with designers and developers finished show cars and prototypes are presented… The smart times parade in Riccione was also such a moment I was extremely proud of being given the responsibility for the smart.
Mein stolzester Moment? Ich bin seit meiner Berufung zur smart Chefin ununterbrochen stolz! Auf meine tolle Mannschaft, auf unsere Produkte, die vielen tollen Ideen, die wir bei smart in unseren Teams entwickeln. Aber klar, es gibt es immer wieder ganz besondere Momente, in denen man noch ein bisschen stolzer ist als sonst. Etwa, als mir das kleine ebike-Team, das aus jungen Menschen aus vielen verschiedenen Nationen besteht, das erste smart ebike gezeigt hat. Oder wenn nach vielen Diskussionen mit Designern und Entwicklern fertige Showcars und Prototypen präsentiert werden… Die Parade bei smart times in Riccione war auch so ein Moment, bei dem ich riesig stolz war, für den smart verantwortlich sein zu dürfen. -------------------------------Finally, thousands and thousands of smart enthusiasts in dozens of countries will be reading this article in ‘4site’ – do you have a special 2012 message for our readers? I even have two very important messages! To start with I would like to very warmly invite all smart fans to attend smart times, which will
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take place in the beautiful and centrally located city of Antwerp from 23-26 August 2012. It will be a pleasure for my team and myself to have you as our guests! We have come up with lots of ideas to get a real community event off the ground – with time to get to know one another, time exclusively for the clubs, time exclusively for smart fans – and of course time to party and for the parade! I really look forward to meeting you all there and share thoughts with you. The other message is a huge, warm and sincere thank you. You are the most important part of the smart brand – the people who express and represent our attitude everywhere.
smart electric drive at smart of Edinburgh smart of Edinburgh is delighted to announce the arrival of the smart electric drive at their Newbridge premises. This superb innovation is now available to both view and test drive and it’s an opportunity not to be missed.
Thank you for your loyalty, thank you for your dedication. Just as you are fans of our vehicles, we at smart and I myself are real fans of yours! Ich habe sogar zwei ganz wichtige Botschaften! Zuallererst lade ich alle smart Fans sehr sehr herzlich zu smart times im wunderschönen und zentral gelegenen Antwerpen vom 23.-26.8.2012 ein. Machen Sie meinem Team und mir die große Freude und seien Sie unsere Gäste! Wir haben uns vieles einfallen lassen, um ein echtes Community-Event auf die Beine zu stellen – mit Zeit zum Kennenlernen, Zeit nur für die Clubs, Zeit nur für smart Fans – und natürlich Zeit zum Feiern und für die Parade! Und ich freue mich sehr, Sie alle dort zu treffen und mich mit Ihnen auszutauschen. Die andere Botschaft ist: ein riesengroßes, sehr herzliches Dankeschön. Sie sind der wichtigste Teil der Marke smart, diejenigen, die unsere Haltung ausdrücken und überall repräsentieren. Danke für Ihre Treue, danke für Ihre „Dedication“. So wie sie Fans unserer Fahrzeuge sind, so sind wir bei smart, so bin ich selbst, echte Fans von Ihnen!
Head along to the smart of Edinburgh premises now at 12 Edinburgh Road, Newbridge, Edinburgh, EH28 8QW or call them on +44 (0) 843 357 2069 or visit them online at http://www.smartofedinburgh.co.uk/
“The smart electric drive is now on saleworldwide – with the fun continuing right into the price,” says smart boss Dr. Annette Winkler. “The electric smart has what it takes to bring a little more quality-of-life to our cities. But a car that wants to change the world can’t cost the earth. For this reason, we are offering the new electric smart within our sale&care model for considerably less than EUR 16,000 before tax – plus less than EUR 60 per month for battery rental. Anybody wishing to buy or lease the vehicle with the battery can, of course, do that, too.” If you want to be there from the start – register online!
======================= Al Young and thesmartclub would like to espress their sincere thanks to Dr Annette Winkler and her team for their time and cooperation enabling this interview to take place and permitting the full interview to be published in 4site.
www.thesmartclub.com
Starting right now, interested parties can complete a no-obligation registration process on www.smart.com to be kept up-to-date with the latest information about the new electric smart. Those who would like to be among the first owners of the new third-generation smart fortwo electric drive will have the opportunity to reserve one online as of the fourth quarter now.
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A slow race We were delighted to hear about the recent success achieved by Mick Linford and Ella Flynn in their smart cdi when they completed the 2011 MPG Marathon with another event record of 99.24mpg over the 380 mile, two day route. Mick takes up the story for thesmartclub:
This is the third year on the trot that we have won the event, each time in a smart CDi It really started three years ago when Mercedes Benz asked me to drive a smart CDi, (and yes, it is correct for ‘smart car’ to not start with a capital letter), in the 2009 MPG Marathon. That being an annual event sponsored by Fleet Car magazine and entered by up to 40 vehicles, mainly manufacturer or magazine entrants. The idea being to drive on public roads over a preset 400 mile route, over two days, to see who can return the best miles per gallon in class and ultimately, overall. But a lifetime of earning a living at a high level in motorsport, I did wonder what this would do for my credibility, or even if I could actually drive that slowly for 400 miles!!! However, I like a challenge and after all, it WAS still a competition. Indeed a race, just a very different type of race. First job was to pick a lightweight co-driver as the slightest wrong slot, or anything gained by careful driving would be immediately lost. And being as females seem to be the lightest, with the added bonus of being prettiest, I made a call to Jemma Bellingham, a winning regular co-driver in the British Rally Championship. She agreed and we both looked forward, though with major reservations, to the October event. The event started from Brandon Hall hotel in Coventry with two one-day loops, each day
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ending back at the hotel. One day out through Lincolnshire and one day into Wales. Two days of towns, villages, big hills (Wales) and traffic jams! Competitor cars had to be delivered to the hotel two days prior to the event for a full check over to make sure no ‘special’ modifications had been done. The fuel tank etc was then sealed to ensure no tampering took place. Each car was also fitted with a tracker to enable organisers to watch each entrant’s progress in case of any ‘tactful’ stops or shortcuts. That first day we learnt a lot. Critically, where in the rev range to change gear and when, relative to the incline or lack of on the road. Also, any thoughts of freewheeling were cast aside as any modern day engine uses more fuel at tick over than with the throttle shut and on the overrun. As I said, we learnt a great deal that first day and even overtook a few competitors, including the new BMW M3 entrant on a motorway!! The one disadvantage we did have is that every other competitor car was equipped with a fuel computer. This keeping the driver informed as to current mpg and average mpg. Obviously this was a superb guide as to how you were doing and a guide as to how you should be driving the car. Too much throttle and the gauge instantly warned you of the heavier fuel usage. But……the smart CDi had no such luxury. It had a tiptronic type transmission and even paddle shift, but feedback relating to fuel usage had to be through seat-of-the-pants. It was all about ‘feel’. There was no other option. On the open roads, we still cruised at around the 40mph mark, but getting up to that speed was where the gain or loss was to be had. Whether it was up hill, down hill, or on the flat, each case had to be treated differently to be sure of minimum fuel usage. Cars started at minute intervals, with the second day having a reverse starting order. This to try and equalise any traffic disadvantage suffered by starting within the school run or rush hour. Due to our vehicle, we were considered one of the favourites so seemingly everyone came to us at each checkpoint to ask how we were doing. My reply of “no idea” was met with, “come on, we’ve told you our mpg reading”. I then had to explain to each and every one of them that unfortunately we had no way of knowing until the end of the event. . We had no fuel computer.
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It truly was a case of what felt right we hoped was going to be right. They all seemed very pleased that they had that facility.
Perhaps I simply don’t mention what event or vehicle it was in when I am reminiscing over a drink with friends!!
Thanks to Jemma, we took no wrong turns. We arrived at all checkpoints within our allotted time slots and arrived at the fuel station close to the finish on time. Here an official unsealed our tank and fuelled the car until the pump clicked off. The amount of fuel taken was noted and the tank resealed. We then drove the last few miles back to Brandon Hall for the official AA refuelling crew to top up the tank to the point of overflow again. This amount being measured by their very accurate equipment. Each car going through the same process.
It seems that having the same car winning three years on the trot, should it happen, was very boring for the event and “was the smart car really a fleet vehicle”? But with existing lease numbers quoted for numerous pizza deliver companies, building companies, house agents etc etc, the entry was accepted with Mercedes Benz agreeing that should we be fortunate enough to win for the third year, we would not enter the car again.
As we all sat back in the hotel endlessly waiting it seemed, waiting for the awards presentation, I was asked to come outside for a moment. I was then told that we had won and the awards had been held up so I could be interviewed live on BBC1 news. We had achieved 96.81mpg, breaking the event record by over 10mpg. So, seat-of-the-pants driving obviously worked and although it had been two days and almost 400 miles of slooooow driving, it WAS a competition and I genuinely believe it took more continued concentration to drive like that with no lapse, that it ever took competing in any race or rally that I have been in. Every single gear change had to be right and I’m sure I spent more time watching the rev counter than I ever spent looking at the road out of the window. Great to win and great to set a new record. Next day Mercedes Benz booked me for the following year. Jemma was unavailable so I took the even lighter Ella Flynn, another BRC championship winning co-driver. October 2010 saw us start from Stratford Upon Avon with the two loops covering the Cotswolds and Wales. A much stiffer route, but still saw us come out on top with an outright win again and a figure of 94.66mpg. Slightly less that the previous year, but I was still pleased considering the much more demanding course. It was straight after this event that both Peugeot and Toyota phoned me to ask if I would drive their vehicle on the 2012 MPG Marathon!! How about that….two manufacturers chasing me and offering ‘works drives’. Not quite how I hoped my works drive offers would come, but I suppose a ‘works drove’ is a works drive. www.thesmartclub.com
Once again, the route would be just under 400 miles long. Ella joined me again and with our past experience and the elusive 100mpg being talked about so much, we set off in a very determined frame of mind. If we were going to take that third year on the trot win, then I wanted to try and do it in style. I don’t think I have ever been more determined at the start of an event, however stupid it seems considering it was basically a slow driving event!!!!! But, as I said earlier, it WAS still a competition. There WAS still 38 other vehicles to beat. There WAS that chance of winning for the third year. And there WAS that 100mpg sat waiting to be achieved. The route through Wales seemed a lot tougher than the previous year. And although it affected everyone, 100mpg had disappointingly gone out of the window as far as I was concerned. When we returned to the finish our fuel was topped up. I had calculated exactly how much would need to go into the tank for us to get that 100mpg and as I watched their gauge, the figure I needed went past. 100mpg would without doubt have gained the event a great deal more media interest. But although my figure had been passed, it had only JUST been past as the fuel level showed up level with the filler neck. We had achieved 99.24mpg. Just 0.76mpg short of our target. So it was three years of winning. Three years of showing just what is achievable with very careful driving and three years of achievements for someone that normally drives MUCH quicker. Which goes to show, we can all save fuel and drive more carefully if we want to. But………..I don’t think we really do, do we? ☺
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Advertisement - smart of West Midlands The new smart fortwo electric drive – the allelectric second-generation version of the iconic smart fortwo – is forging the future of electric cars in the UK, and smart of Wolverhampton is delighted to be one of the first dealers in the UK to be taking delivery of this exciting new vehicle. Electric propulsion has been an integral part of the smart fortwo concept from the very beginning of the car’s development. As a result the smart fortwo electric drive shares the same dimensions and rear-engined layout as the petrol and dieselpowered models in the smart fortwo line-up. This uncompromised layout means the car enjoys the same high standards of active and passive safety, dynamic agility, comfort and space as all fortwo models. The smart fortwo electric drive has its own charger on board allowing it to be plugged directly into any UK mains 220V three-pin household outlet socket. Charging the battery from 20 to 80% state of charge takes just three and a half hours while an empty battery can be fully charged overnight in no more than eight hours. At an average speed of 18mph - normal city traffic speed - the smart fortwo electric drive can be
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continuously driven for up to five hours before needing to be recharged. A full battery charge, which currently costs around £1.70, results in an 84-mile range - the equivalent of 275 mpg. According to the findings of the groundbreaking smart Plugged-In Report, the 84–mile range is more than enough for the majority of daily urban journeys and commutes. There is no need for any gear changing. The battery and motor are linked by a single speed transmission - a major advantage in dense city traffic. To reverse, the engine's direction of rotation simply changes. Smart of Wolverhampton General Manager, Matthew Harris told us more: “This is a great opportunity for smart drivers who want to be at the cutting edge of new technology, reducing their motoring costs and carbon footprint while still enjoying the dynamic urban driving experience that has always been the hallmark of the smart fortwo.” If you would like to find out more about the smart electric drive, please call 0844 573 6310 or visit www.smartofwestmidlands.co.uk
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specialist that your specialist, your main agent and your friend relies upon.
‘Wee Car’ and Fudgesmart Way back in late 1999, Al & Fiona Young were in Salzburg, Austria when they spotted a smart fortwo (then, a ‘city coupe’) on display in the city centre. Following their return to the UK, a smart city coupe was then imported from Europe and months later, thesmartclub was established to provide owners of these cars with a central, impartial source of information, news and events – it was not only the first smart of what is now the world’s largest independent smart car club, it was also the start of the love affair with the little 599cc smart city coupe that had been imported. Whilst thesmartclub continued to grow, and thesmartclub’s ‘stable’ gew to include roadsters and a forfour, the little city coupe has remained a constant throughout, often as a testbed for new fortwo products and developments. In late however, it was time to have the engine lovingly restored given the car’s 12 years of driving a number of engine ‘remap’ tests and developments over the years. There were a number of options available to us via a number of independent sources but after a long and hard evaluation, we focussed in on a small independent nestled amongst the Cambridgeshire countryside. We contacted Mark Bloomfield, owner of ‘Fudgesmart’ with a view to handing this independent our pride and joy for some serious rework. Initially, we asked Mark what it was about Fudgesmart that made them believe they had a unique service proposition that would be attractive to us. Mark advised: “Fudgesmart was established because we thought there was another way to maintain smart cars, another way to that offered by 99% of main agents and independents of the time, another way to rebuild failed engines, another way to recode key fobs, a cheaper way, a more convenient way.
Using only genuine and original parts on our engine rebuilds has made sure the service we provide is consistent and reliable, we are the specialist that your specialist, your main agent and your friend relies upon. The Process In A Nut Shell: We can collect the car nationally from your home, work, garage, we strip the engine in the car, this is very important to us, once stripped your cylinder head gets swapped out for a fully reconditioned unit with replacement valves, new valve stem oil seals. We hone your cylinder bores and we decoke your pistons, we re ring your pistons, we replace your crank bearing shells and we replace your head gasket, bolts and oil filter all with genuine smart parts, we fit new NGK spark plugs and seal your sump, we fill with 5w40 oil and we renew your coolant with a longlife product. In a nutshell that’s it, we offer a 12month / 12,000 mile warranty against failure of a replaced part. Because of our no hassle and very competitive business model we are the preferred choice of engine rebuilder & diagnostic service provider for smart main agents, smart specialists, general motor traders, enthusiast and the general smart owning public. “ Well that all seemed good to us and the car was duly collected by Mark and taken to Fudegsmart for some loving mechanical restoration.
Since then we’ve offered an on site service, a collection and delivery service and mobile STAR diagnostics, TAN coding and key coding. Covering on average 80,000 miles a year we’ve shown in excess of 800 customers in the UK that there is another way, a cheaper way and a more convenient way to maintaining their smart car. Using only genuine and original parts on our engine rebuilds has made sure the service we provide is consistent and reliable, we are the
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Prior to seeking the rebuild, we had known that we had a few wee issues with ‚wee car’, not least of which was an emmissions level that was off the scale when it came to MOT tests. We knew it was connected with a rather large amount of burning oil upon start up and when
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the engine was under load. It seemed too optimistic to hope that this was all down to a blocked breather pipe somewhere or even a leaking valve stem seal and it was those colcusions that made us seek the engine strip and rebuild by Mark and the team.
It had already been suggested by Fudgesmart that the cause of all our environmentally damaging emissions was likely to be worn oil seal rings on the pistons and indeed, with Fudgesmart having stripped down the engine, that was the cause of our smoking wee car. The guys set about carrying out a superb rebuild with new pistons, rings, liners, bearings etc. In addition to the engine troubles, owners of city coupes and for twos, will also be aware of a problem that arises with the reluctor rings on some older models. To those unfamiliar with this issue or component, each rear drive shaft is fitted with a small ‘toothed cog wheel’ that is fitted close to each rear hub. The teeth on each cog are equally spaced and a small sensor counts a ‘pulse’ each time a tooth of the cog passes the sensor – these impulses being sent to engine’s control box. The information from these sensors is then used in helping the car decide whether or not one wheel is rotating faster than the other and it matches this data against a range of other data from sensors such as speed, throttle pedal, lateral G sensors etc. OK, enough of the science. As these reluctor rings are heat fitted onto each drive shaft they are always under a degree of stress to expand and, when corrosion starts to get a grip, a break can appear in one or both rings. Given the above science, one can then understand that when there’s a break, there’s a longer time that elapses for a pulse to be counted between the teeth on the cog separated by the break than there is between the ‘normally spaced’ teeth on the cog.
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Yes, it’s a tiny difference but it makes a real difference to the data being sent to the car’s systems. This difference in pulses can make the car think that when the breaks are applied, the car is moderately out of control (as there is differences in the timing pulses) and as such, the car applies the ABS functions – this in turn results in your brake pedal vibrating as the ABS kicks in and out trying to stop a car that, in reality, in not out of control.
As our ‘wee car’ had suffered this fate on one ring, a replacement of both rings seemed a good idea whilst the car was at Fudgesmart. The last step of the process was a small tweak to the engine mapping. Over the years, ‘wee car’ has had a number of production and development maps installed for review, research and development purposes. Mark suggested that the installation of the SW Exclusive map to the car would be a good choice and the car was duly mapped. And so, after a small amount of time at Fudgesmart, our 12 year old ‘city coupe’ was returned to us, fully MOTd with a rebuilt engine, new reluctor rings and a new map – the latter proving to be smooth across the rev range and we’ll be updating further on this in a later issue of ’4site’ Magazine. There are, of course, a number of excellent independents across the UK and Europe who have considerable experience and expertise in smart technology and engine rebuilds, many of whom are already actively engaged with thesmartclub and The smart Racing Club. Given the somewhat unique service offerings described by Mark and his geographic location, thesmartclub were keen to report on the services offered. We are delighted to advise that the quality and performance of the rebuild given to ‘wee car’ has been superb and we’ll keep you updated in future issues of 4site.
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Regular Local Meetings If you regularly meet with a group of local smart owners and enthusiasts and you would like your meeting included in our future listings, please email: events.team@thesmartclub.com or telephone us on +44 (0) 845 299 0332 with details for inclusion in the next issue of our ‘4site’ magazine. For LATEST information and location details always check the Events section in our Online Forum (www.thesmartclub.com). East smart Cambridge meet 2nd Monday of every month, Grantchester
St. Albans Meet 28 April and monthly thereafter, 19:30 - 22:30 at The Airfield, Lemsford Road, Hatfield, Hertfordshire
Milton Keynes & Northampton smart meet Every 2nd Monday, 7:30 pm onwards Check Meetings Section of thesmartclub MessageBoard, Navigation Pub, Stoke Bruerne
DAFT Mansfield meet 1st Wednesday of every month at 7:00 pm The Snipe Pub, Alfreton Road, Sutton in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, NG17 1JE Shepperton meet 1st Wednesday of every month 7:30 pm to 10:00 pm: The Thames Court, Towpath, Shepperton, TW17 9LJ. East Kent smarties 2nd Wednesday of every month, from 8:00 pm Dukes Head Pub, Sellindge, nr Ashford, Kent Greater Manchester & North Lands Meet 4th Thursday of every month from 7:30pm, Wilton Hotel, just off M60 at Heaton Park Sussex Smarts Sunday breakfast Our Breakfast meet is every 2nd & 4th Sunday of the month.10.00 am, Chalet Cafe, Cowfold, West Sussex. (approx half mile south of Cowfold on A281).
Please note that as many of the above meetings are outside of the direct control of thesmartclub, details and dates may change.
Contact thesmartclub We have a wide range of contact options available to you enabling you to have questions answered:
Email Enquiries General: admin@thesmartclub.com Membership: membership@thesmartclub.com Privilege Card: privilege@thesmartclub.com Events: events@thesmartclub.com Technical (car related): technical@thesmartclub.com Technical (web related): webmaster@thesmartclub.com Advertising: advertising@thesmartclub.com Club Merchandise: distribution@thesmartclub.com Phone +44 (0) 845 299 0332 Fax +44 (0) 131 312 6167
Or pick up a pen and paper and send to: thesmartclub ltd PO Box 28549 Edinburgh EH4 5WB UK
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Had their corporate colours wrapped in vinyl but never one covered in grass,” smiled Jodie.
News from smart Northampton company lays down the lawn with the help of a smart Motorists are set to be ‘mown’ away by an award-winning Northamptonshire landscaping firm, which is taking green motoring to the extreme to launch an exciting new product offering.
“With smart, the possibilities are endless and the car also provides companies with an environmentally-efficient and low-cost vehicle,” she continued. “What’s more, those who might like to consider an approved used smart, can also take advantage of a 0% per cent finance package throughout 2012.”
Wollaston-based Timotay Landscapes is now a franchise for Easigrass artificial lawns and has covered a smart with the synthetic turf to promote its new associate company – Easigrass Northants. Enhancing the head-turning appearance of the car, which has been acquired from smart of Northampton, is a striking face created by seven-year-old Alfie Smallman, from Thrapston Primary School, as part of a children’s design competition. The smart – known as Bobby - will be used by members of the Easigrass Northants team to visit clients as far afield as Birmingham and Oxford. Originally created for sports pitches, the Easigrass product range has been widened for the domestic market and is the first to feature a dead grass infill to enhance its realistic effect. “With today’s busy lifestyles, more and more people are recognising the advantages of replacing their lawns with Easigrass as there is no mud or mess and no requirement for timeconsuming cutting, feeding or weeding,” explained Liam Wales, Sales Consultant for Timotay Landscapes, which has just been crowned Best Patio Transformation winner in the regional Marshalls Register Awards. “With over 25 years’ landscaping experience, we can install Easigrass anywhere not only in home gardens but roof spaces, balconies, shops, bars and restaurants,” added Liam. “Installed on our smart, it is already getting us noticed and is a fantastic way of generating brand awareness.” Jodie Malsher, smart of Northampton’s Sales Executive, said that the smart’s affordability and versatility ensured it was a car that companies should definitely consider as a corporate vehicle. “I have supplied smarts to the likes of estate agents and beauty salons in the past who have
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smart of Northampton’s Jodie Malsher, Liam Wales from Timotay Landscapes and Bobby, the ‘grass’ covered smart
Vroom with a view Fiona Cameron certainly found smart of Poole to be extremely accommodating when it came to buying her car. Time and distance proved no barrier for the social worker, who travelled from her home in Prestwick, Scotland, to collect her smart and was literally ‘tickled pink’ by her purchase. Helping to make her experience even more memorable was the provision of an overnight hotel stay for herself and husband Alastair with the compliments of smart of Poole – an offer gladly accepted as it broke up the couple’s 16hour, 950-mile round trip. After seeing it on the retailer’s website, Mrs Cameron acquired a limited edition smart fortwo pink passion – one of only 100 models introduced by smart in the UK in 2010 and which resulted in the manufacturer donating £10,000 from sales to the Breast Cancer Campaign. And whilst she is thrilled with her car, the mother-oftwo was equally delighted with the way she was
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looked after by smart of Poole Sales Executive Neil Jackson. “Everything was done over the phone and I drove the car away without even taking a test drive which is something I have never done before,” said Mrs Cameron. “Neil was extremely helpful throughout, every question was answered and nothing was too much trouble.
“When we arrived at smart of Poole, we were made to feel very special and the offer of overnight accommodation certainly added to whole experience.” Boasting one of the biggest stocks of approved used cars in the UK with up to 30 vehicles on display, smart of Poole is regularly contacted by motorists nationwide thanks to its extensive choice of colours, specifications and mileages. With this in mind, the retailer will provide an overnight stay to any customers who have to travel to collect their car. The booking has to be made and paid for by the customer at a Premier Inn – like the one next door to smart of Poole’s showroom - and will be reimbursed by the retailer on presentation of a receipt. Food and drink is not included.
Smart in Saarbrucken erzielt Bestwerte in Betreuungsqualitat
Das smart Center in Saarbrucken ist in Berlin von der Mercedes-Benz Vertriebsorganisation Deutschland (MBVD) fur herausragende Kundenbetreuung ausgezeichnet worden. Unter allen smart Centern in Deutschland belegte das Saarbrucker Autohaus den 1. Platz in der Studie uber Kundenzufriedenheit in Service und Verkauf. Ausgezeichnet wurden die Saarlander aufgrund ihrer kompetenten und freundlichen Mitarbeiter, der zugigen Bearbeitung von Anfgragen und des Einhaltens von Zusagen und Terminen. “Wir danken unseren Kinden ganz herzlich fur die herausragende Beurteilung. Fur uns ist das die schonste Bestatigung unserer arbeit, die wir uns vorstellen konnen”, so Uwe Conrad, Chef des smart autohauses in Saarbrucken. Und weiter: “Meine Mitarbeiter haben sich mit grossem Engagement und zuverlassigen Leistungen jeden Tag voll eingebracht. Jetzt heisstes, der Auszeichnung auch in Zukunft gerecht zu werden und unsere Kunden weitterhin mit hochster Betreuungsqualitat zu uberzeugen”. Kontakt Smart Center Saarbrucken SMP Automobilhandel AG Autorisierter smart-Verkhauf und Service Brebacher Landstrasse 1 66121 Saarbrucken Telefon 06 81-96 80 80 www.smart4saar.de
Our continued thanks to Scott Fenn for his submissions of these articles on behalf of smart of Poole and smart of Northampton
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thesmartclub continues to thank Daniel Fries and his team at smart Saarbrucken for their support, service and hospitality shown to all our members during our visits.
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fortwo sharpred! th Stuttgart: 9 February 2012 The latest edition from smart has been christened sharpred. This smart fortwo is a real eye-catcher as the intense red of the tridion safety cell and door mirror housing forms a striking contrast to the rest of the exterior in black. The smart fortwo sharpred is available as a coupé (from €14,490) and as a cabrio with a 52 kW mhd petrol engine or a 62 kW petrol engine. The exciting special model can be ordered now and the first vehicles of this limited series will reach dealers in May 2012.
sunblind. Electric power steering, heated seats, a lockable glove compartment, the smart sound system with five loudspeakers, the smart audio system navigation/multimedia and further equipment are optionally available. An overview of pricing is as follows: smart fortwo sharpred coupe: 1.0 petrol (52kW/71hp) mhd : €14,490 1.0 petrol (62 kW/84hp) : €15,060 smart fortwo sharpred cabrio: 1.0 petrol (52kW/71hp) mhd : €17,580 1.0 petrol (62 kW/84hp) : €18,150
smart for us Stuttgart/Detroit: 9th Jan 2012
The exterior of the smart fortwo edition sharpred is characterised by the striking contrast of elegant black and extravagant red – creating an effect like the red neon sign of an exclusive bar against a black night sky. The bright red paintwork of the tridion safety cell and door mirror housing catch the eye, whilst the rest of the exterior comes in black. The front apron and rear trim panel are grained and the side skirts boast a high-gloss black finish. The front and rear axles are fitted with wide tyres measuring 175/55 R 15 (front) and 195/50 R 15 (rear). The 15" 3-double-spoke alloy wheels also have a brilliant black finish. The interior also features striking contrasts with red double stitching on the seats and the instrument panel lending coloured accents. The seats come in black leather and the instrument panel and knee pad have a black leather look. The standard equipment includes the audio system basic and exclusive floor mats. The special edition is limited to 1800 vehicles. It is based on the passion equipment line, which means that standard features include softouch, air conditioning with automatic temperature control and a panoramic roof with sunblind.
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America is the land of great automotive freedom, great landscapes, a love of outdoor activities and large pickups for thoroughly enjoying the "American dream. Now smart is countering the "bigger is better" mentality with a surprising new vehicle: the smart for-us study is small, agile and does not need any petrol thanks to its electric drive. This model, which builds on the smart forspeed and smart forvision concepts presented in 2011, will celebrate its world premiere at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit (14 - 22 January 2012). With its exterior dimensions (length/width/height: 3547/1506/1701 mm) it could almost go unnoticed on the loading area of a typical pickup, and it also anything but ordinary under the body. smart CEO Dr. Annette Winkler says "We at smart love pick-ups – if they are small on the outside, large on the inside, very safe and extremely comfortable. With the smart for-us a petrol station is no longer required!” smart is turning the automotive world upside down once again and challenging ideas about what an urban pickup should look like. In a tongue-in-cheek manner the for-us signals that this is the right car for the young and young-atheart with active lives who attach importance to low emissions and taking up minimum road space. The smart for-us translates the practical loading concept of a pickup to the reality of 21st century urban traffic for the first time. Thanks to the state-of-the-art electric drive with a 55 kW magneto-electric motor the zero-emission smart for-us is agile and lively to drive. Like car2go, the globally successful car sharing
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initiative from smart for more flexibility in city traffic, the smart for-us is a mobility concept. Just like the smart fortwo, which has enjoyed success around the world, it has ample room for two people, but it also has space behind for two smart ebikes, which can charge their batteries on the cargo area during the journey. From a trip into town to an outing to nearby nature reserve – the smart for-us safely transports two people and two electric bikes without producing any emissions. The ebikes on the cargo area become range extenders in two respects: thanks to the docking station on the cargo area of the smart for-us their batteries are always charged, and smart for-us drivers can also reach destinations that are out of bounds for cars – for example traffic-calmed zones in the city or isolated park trails.
LEDs. The lamps seem to push outwards like arrows – like drops on the cockpit window of an aeroplane as it takes off. The tail lights can even be opened and provide stowage space, for example for the charging cable or drinks cans for sporty bikers.
The tailboard at the rear of the smart for-us is electrically driven. Remote control or touching the integrated touchpad retracts the cargo floor including tailboard by 280 mm, and the tailgate then slides down in a parallel position. The cargo on the 900 mm cargo area is then extremely easy to access.
The for-us is raised by 50 millimetres as against the standard smart, and demonstrates that it is perfectly suited to off-road driving, for example to reach mountain bike terrain. In a later development stage the electric drive could be extended in the direction of a 4x4 with two front wheel hub motors. The longer wheelbase (2480 mm/plus 613 mm) and the track that has been widened by 50 mm on each side also emphasise the robust look of the study. At the same time the extremely short overhangs at the front and rear make it exceedingly compact and provoke supporters of conventional pickups: small is beautiful – even as a pickup. The smart for-us rolls on Michelin off-road tyres measuring 235/55 R 18. The wing nuts of the central mounts of the three-spoke wheels are an attractive detail: they fold out and then serve as a lever to release the wheel nuts. The design of the rhombic front and tail lights is very striking and is reminiscent of the design of the smart forvision, which caused a stir at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. The outer rings illuminate the indicators and daytime running lamps with a large number of rod-shaped
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The high-gloss white metallic paintwork of the smart for-us with the tridion cell in a grey textured finish also builds a bridge to the smart forspeed presented at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, and to the smart ebike. On the other hand, the honeycomb structure of the air inlets takes up an aspect of the smart forvision, which attracted lots of attention at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. The subtle colour accents in a warm yellow establish a further visual link to the interior. The interior: stylish, uncomplicated and highly functional Sleek, taut surfaces in mother-of-pearl white combined with precisely designed technical functional elements in brushed aluminium – the interior is characterised by contrasts. The white metallised leather establishes a link to the instrument panel, which in turn is related to the body. The headrests featuring metallic leather are a reference to the matt-finish textured paint of the tridion safety cell and – in line with the clean design – they largely dispense with seams. Yellow adds highlights to the interior, for example on the seat belts and seat covers. Leather door trim provides a further high-quality contrast. Like in the smart forvision, the whole cockpit boasts aerodynamic styling for interior
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ventilation. The control and display elements are oriented to the driver. Just as the cockpit module divides the instrument panel, the two-spoke steering wheel is open at the top. In place of a conventional rear-view mirror the smart for-us features a smartphone accommodated in a holder on top of the instrument panel support. The driver can see what is happening on the road behind with the help of an integrated video camera. Stylish, uncomplicated, highly functional and easy to individualise – the two seats in the concept car are typically smart. The seat shells, which are open in the middle, are covered with a soft fabric throw giving them a hammock-like seating feel. Practical: when the seat cover on the passenger side is removed long items can be loaded through the seat of the smart for-us. The study has yellow seat covers with a deep embossed silver hexagon pattern indicating a progression and thus emphasising the vehicle's dynamism. As the covers can be removed in no time at all, simple individualisation with other throws is conceivable. The seats could even be used as avant-garde seating at home or when spontaneous seating is needed outdoors. The cargo space has two slits for the front wheels of the smart ebikes. A special docking station in the middle enables the ebikes to be charged whilst being transported on the smart for-us. And bicycle tools or other items can be accommodated in the stowage compartments on the right and left of the load space. Electric drive: zero-local-emission driving fun The electric drive of the smart for-us is based on the innovative drive concept of the smart fortwo electric drive, which will be launched from the spring of 2012. Thanks to the 55 kW magneto-electric motor the smart for-us is agile and lively to drive. With 130 Newton metres of torque it boasts powerful, lagfree acceleration and it can overtake other vehicles with the greatest of ease. The maximum speed exceeds 120 km/h. The lithium-ion battery has capacity of 17.6 kWh. When completely empty it takes a maximum of eight hours to fully charge the battery at a household socket or charging station on the electricity systems of most countries i.e. overnight. smart ebike: urban electric mobility on two wheels There are two smart ebikes on board the smart for-us – perfect for local-emission-free city
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driving. The colour of the two ebikes, which are based on the production bike to be launched by smart in the spring of 2012, has been matched to the smart for-us. Some of the components, for example the battery housing, therefore come in the highlight colour yellow. With an unconventional design in line with the style of the brand, functions appropriate for city use and high technology standards that are demonstrated by the extremely efficient and high-performance drive package among other features, the smart ebike has an exceptional position.
High-quality components guarantee dynamic, safe and fun cycling. For example, MT4 disc brakes from Magura are fitted at the front and rear. The smart ebike also features state-ofthe-art infotainment: a USB interface is a standard feature and enables various mobile end devices to be connected. smart's high technological standards are manifested in the extremely efficient and highperformance drive package. As a "pedelec" (Pedal Electric Cycle) the smart ebike is strictly speaking a hybrid: the electric motor – a maintenance-free and brushless rear-wheel hub motor from BionX – switches on as soon as the rider starts pedalling as with a normal bicycle. Muscle power is transmitted to the rear wheel via a durable and quiet belt drive. An integrated three-speed gear hub provides for simple gear changing. The strengths of the ebike include its agile performance: the rider of the smart ebike decides how much power he wants the 250 watt electric motor to deliver to support his muscle power by pressing a button on the handlebar. There is a choice of four power levels with the fourth and highest level providing maximum pushing power. Depending on the power level selected and the manner of cycling a battery charge can last for more than 100 kilometres.
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the side, and information about the vehicles and how to recharge them will be shared with members via email and social media.
car2go Austin, Texas: 20th Dec 2011 car2go, the largest carsharing network in Austin, Texas, announced today the completion of its two-year car2go North America Pilot Program with the City of Austin. Under a newly signed agreement with the City of Austin’s car share program, car2go will continue operations in Austin.
Beginning this month, car2go members in Austin will see an updated version of the “telematic” touch screen inside the vehicle. A zoom-in and zoom-out function will now be available on the GPS navigation, and the map will now include indicators for each car2go designated parking space, so that members can easily find parking.
car2go, developed by Daimler as the world’s first free-floating carsharing network, launched its first North American Pilot Program with the City of Austin and its employees in November 2009. In May 2010, car2go opened its services to the public in Austin and, in less than two years, has grown to include more than 21,000 registered members. "The City of Austin is committed to bringing the best transportation options to its residents, and our new car sharing program will be a tremendous addition to our transportation system in Austin," said Mayor Lee Leffingwell. "The residents and businesses in Austin now have more transportation options, with the overall goal of reducing downtown congestion and improving the overall quality of life in Austin." “car2go has received a remarkable reception from the residents and businesses of this forward-thinking city since we first launched here in Austin two years ago,” said Nicholas Cole, president and CEO of car2go North America. “We look forward to continuing to work closely with the City of Austin and the Car-Share Austin Program.” “As the first North American car2go city, Austin will continue to be the home of our corporate headquarters and a showcase city for building on the success of the car2go carsharing model, which has redefined traditional carsharing with a truly flexible point-to-point transportation solution,” Cole went on to say. Introducing Technology
the
Latest
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In January 2012, car2go will begin to introduce several electric vehicles in Austin as part of its commitment to providing the most innovative and environmentally-friendly carsharing options to its members. The car2go smart fortwo electric drive vehicles will be marked with “Electric Drive” on
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car2go Around the World The success of car2go in Austin has allowed car2go to expand to new cities throughout North America. In June 2011 car2go launched its first Canadian city in Vancouver, British Columbia; and in November 2011 car2go launched the first all-electric carsharing network in North America in San Diego, California. In Europe, car2go operates in Ulm and Hamburg, Germany; Amsterdam, Netherlands; and Vienna, Austria. Throughout the next several years, car2go will expand globally to more than 50 cities worldwide. As the car2go business continues to expand, Austin will remain a showcase city for car2go in North America, and it will continue to be the home of the car2go North America corporate headquarters.
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Submit an Article to ‘4site’ - We want to hear from you! With a truly international audience, ‘4site’ provides you with an ideal additional channel to tell smart owners and enthusiasts about your ‘smart’ filled holiday, vacation, modifications, tours, competitions and ‘smart’ lifestyle. We make it easy for you to submit articles to us, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
You can submit articles directly to us via a dedicated page on our web site.
You can email articles, images and graphics to us any time, any day.
Visit www.thesmartclub.com and select the ‘Forums & Info’ menu option, then ‘4site’ and ‘Submit an Article’.
Your text can be created in an email, pasted into an email or sent to us in any file format. Emails should sent to:
You can type your text directly into the page we provide or paste text you have created elsewhere.
We understand that not everyone has access to the internet or email services. You can send us typed or handwritten letters along with any pictures* and we’ll transcribe your text.
4site@thesmartclub.com Letters should be sent to: ‘4site’ magazine thesmartclub ltd Corbiehill Park Edinburgh EH4 5EQ UK
Click ‘SUBMIT’ and you’re done!
We’ll acknowledge all submissions received and advise you when/if your article is being included. * Note that any pictures posted to us cannot be returned. ‘4site’ is an international magazine for smart car owners and enthusiasts – your magazine and your opportunity to share your smart life with others! ‘4site’ magazine ‘4site’ is an independent quarterly magazine produced, published and distributed by thesmartclub ltd. The magazine is not for resale or commercial redistribution. All content © thesmartclub 2012 and global Daimler media © 2012 Daimler AG. All rights reserved. The submit button © Kiankhoon, email image © Tomislav Stajduhar, party people image Poznyakov, girl writing © Showface | Dreamstime.com. Front and rear magazine cover design and composition by Oliver Whittaker. thesmartclub is a brand of thesmartclub ltd, Company number SC259434, registered in Scotland, UK. Whilst every effort is made to ensure that the information given herein is accurate, no legal responsibility is accepted by thesmartclub ltd nor its associated third party companies for any errors, omissions or misleading statements. Views expressed in ‘4site’ are not necessarily those of thesmartclub ltd. We gratefully acknowledge the support of the firms whose advertisements appear within this publication however thesmartclub ltd cannot accept responsibility for the offers made by the advertisers even when making specific offers to Members of thesmartclub ltd.
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There’s more great news too about the 2012 season.
2012 motorsport preview 2012 sees a wealth of smart motorsport available to enthusiasts, spectators and competitors across the UK and in continental Europe. On-track Without doubt, the main focus of smart related motorsport to date is the 4two Cup and the Belgian smart Cup series of races. Following the hugely successful inaugural year of the 4two Cup in the UK, we are delighted to advise that the 2012 race calendar is even bigger and better this year. The races see not only the superbly quick 4two Cup cars but the grid will also be filled with competitors from the smart Cup series. And to return the favours, the UK competitors will visit Spa Francorchamps and Mettet in Belgium. Confirmed race dates are as follows: •
Spa Francorchamps, Belgium 1st and 2nd April
•
Donington Park, UK 21st April
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Snetterton (300), UK 12th May Brands Hatch (Indy), UK 2nd June
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Oulton Park, UK 23rd June
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Snetterton (300), UK 18th August
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Mettet, Belgium 7th and 8th September
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Spa Francorchamps, Belgium 20th and 21st October
•
Donington Park (National), UK 2nd and 3rd November
•
Brands Hatch (Indy), UK 24th November
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By popular demand smarts4you Racing Ltd are introducing a second class in 2012, the pulse84. They have created a cheaper race kit, smaller brakes, different exhaust and engine kit aimed at the less powerful smart fortwo. The main reason for this addition is that there are many owners of pulse 84 cars that have expressed an interest in converting their road car so they can come along to the events listed above and compete in one or more races. All the cars, whether built by smarts4you Racing Ltd or by the competitor themselves, will be eligible for the 4two cup, as long as they meet all the race regulations issued by the race series. The race series last year proved that someone with great car control and talent will shine, and what a place to shine…in front of high budget and high profile teams competing in the Britcar series! Most, if not all, of the cars will be fitted with onboard cameras. Whilst providing superb video footage for review and publicity after each race the video can, of course, be used as a basis of evidence in respect of any issues that arise implying bad, careless or reckless driving or inappropriate behaviour on and off track. The aim for 2012 is to make the 4two cup a respected race series and again make improvements and upgrades to the cars where necessary. In 2011 the 4two cup started with 10 cars. For 2012 there is the original 10 cars, plus 6 more being built at present. The aim is to have over 20 UK cars on the grid by the end of 2012 with over 30 cars racing in the 4two cup on the Britcar package for 2013. The series is backed by thesmartclub, The smart Racing Club and official smart online media channels and websites, which should hopefully help the drivers find valuable sponsorship. Talks are currently underway with potential
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•
sponsors to allow smarts4you Racing Ltd to create a ‘free to air’ package that will be made available to TV channels such as Motors TV, Sky sports and other satellite or online TV stations.
• •
There are also plans in-hand for the 2012 Britcar 24 hour race scheduled for 21st to 23rd September 2012 following thesmartclub’s BRABUS forfour success in 2011 where, having started 59th on the grid, the car not only finished, it finished an impressive 28th overall. For the statisticians amongst you, the car completed 456 laps of the xxx mile circuit in a total time of 24 hrs 02 minutes and 53.818 seconds. This was some 117 laps behind the first place car, the Michael McInerney Ferrari F430. thesmartclub’s BRABUS forfour was only 7 laps behind the BMW M3 finishing 27th overall and maintained an average speed over the 24 hours of 69.40 mph. Coincidentally, the fastest lap for our car (number 92) was achieved on lap 92 (!) in a time of 2m 36.818 seconds. In 2012, thesmartclub’s forfour will again be entered and Tockwith Motorsports Ltd, who played a key role in the development and support of thesmartclub’s forfour, will also be entering a second smart forfour in that 2012 24hour race. Whilst still work in progress and with some elements confidential, this second forfour will be a beast of car powered by a Mitsubishi Evo engine – more about all this development in the next issue of 4site. In addition to all the racing on track, The smart Racing Club is introducing a range of new benefits for new and existing members throughout 2012. Membership already brings a range of benefits including • • • •
Your Membership Card valid for a full 12 months Branded lanyard that can be clipped to your Membership Card for use at smart motorsport Events Four 'smart Racing Club' windscreen stickers The international smart club magazine ‘4site’ delivered to your door every three months - that's four full colour magazines delivered to an address of your choice every year you're a Member of the smart Racing Club
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• • •
• • •
20% discount in respect of The smart Racing Club Membership fee if you are already a member* of thesmartclub ltd 10% discount in respect of parts from smarts4you Racing Ltd # Preferential parking at selected smart motorsport events Discounted entry to selected smart motorsport events Track day opportunities for Members Preferential Silverstone 24 hour Race spectator package including dedicated smart car area and the opportunity to drive your car as one of only 50 cars involved in the official parade laps prior to the start of the Britcar 24 hour race**. Technical support helpline Special Membership Events, (Hog Roast etc.) Personalised email news alerts, Event information and offers
In addition, as a smart enthusiast, you also benefit from discounts offered by thesmartclub ltd, the world's largest independent club for smart car owners and enthusiasts: • • •
15% Membership discount in respect of thesmartclub ltd and full online services offered by that Club 7.5% discount in respect of merchandise purchased from thesmartclub's merchandise collection Discounted Package prices for international events organised by thesmartclub ltd
In 2012, we extend these benefits by offering every Member of The smart Racing Club a personalised polo shirt that includes The smart Racing Club logo and the Member’s name. This will be provided free of charge to each ‘main’ Member. Where existing membership includes a partner, a charge will be made for the second shirt. Plus, we will have a marquee area at a number of 4two Cup events where admission and hospitality will be exclusively available to Members of The smart Racing Club. Plus we’ll have new merchandise to choose from mid 2012 – again, exclusively to Members of The smart Racing Club.
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