This week and running through December 17, 2006 the second generation Smart ForTwo is making its auto show debut at the Bologna Motor Show in Italy. To celebrate the launch of the new model, DaimlerChrysler is going to build run of 1,500 "edition limited one" models. The bodywork will be in an special pyrite grey metallic, with the safety cell frame underneath painted silver. Mechanically the car will be equipped with the mid-level 71 hp gas engine with a top speed of 90 mph. The interior is where it gets really special, with a cognac-brown "used-look" nappa leather. The cars are also well-equipped with automatic climate control, heated seats, tachometer and a smart radio (does that mean it only plays podcasts, and doesn't pick up any actual radio stations?). The new ForTwo will be available for pre-order in Europe beginning in mid-January 2007. The full press release and more photos are after the jump.

[Source: DaimlerChrysler]

Recently it was revealed that a Chinese car-maker, Shandong Huoyun Electromobile Co., was building a two seat electric car that bore an uncanny resemblance to the Smart ForTwo. When DaimlerChrysler heard about it, they weren't too thrilled and started to make noises about legal action. Production of the car started in Shandong in August, but was suspended in October. The Chinese company has decided to redesign the car to avoid legal action. The City Spirit, as it was called, was apparently designed from a toy model of the Smart purchased over the internet. Shandong Houyun, executive Wang Fei said "We definitely did not expect our car to resemble the original," which seems rather implausible based on the model they used.

[Source: Automotive News - subscription required]

CarScoop has the first photos of the new 2008 Smart ForTwo. This is the first major re-work to the Smart since it's 1998 introduction, but at a glance it looks much like the current model. The car is slightly larger, and has an upgraded interior. The overall layout remains the same with the engine laying on it's side between the rear wheels and driving those wheels. The main visual difference - very subtle - is at the front where it has been changed to meet the new European pedestrian protection standards. The 2008 ForTwo is going on sale in Europe next spring followed by the long-awaited US launch, when it will finally come over to take on the Hummers and Expeditions on our roads. If you live in a crowded urban environment where parking is at a premium, this could be the ideal car for you. Click through to see all the pics over at CarScoop.

[Source: CarScoop]

Most autophiles eyes' will be turned to Paris this coming week (and keep a browser tab on Autoblog and AutoblogGreen for up-to-the-minute on-the-scene coverage), but if you were checking out the London Fashion Week last week then you were treated to another small car covered in models (in case you missed the first one, click here). This car, a smart fortwo, was used to shuttle top runway models from the Storm Model Management agency around to the various designers' shows. The managing director for Mercedes car group, was all about the sexy model. "The car has always been a trend-setter in the design stakes and we're delighted that Storm have made the smart choice," he said.

Related:

• Ford Fiesta gets doused with paint by Britain's Next Top Model(s)

[Source: Storm Model Management]

CarSpyShots usually focuses on getting secret images of yet-to-be-released vehicles, and I suppose a series of spy shots that went up yesterday are technically of a still unavailable car. But no one can drive the cars featured in the pictures, because they're sand sculptures. These are incredibly detailed sculptures, though, of SMART's new 2007 SMART fortwo, crafted by Russian sand sculpture world champion Pavel Zasanyok at the German beach volleyball championships in Timmendorf.

The 2007 SMART fortwo is an updated version of the Smart fortwo that has sold about 750,000 models to date. SMART has not yet officially unveiled the new fortwo, so for now the sand models are the best representation we have of this economical city two-seater. Click here to see the rest of the picture we're teasing with this post and another of the sculpture, which apparently survived harsh weather on the Baltic Sea.

Related SMART posts here.

[Source: CarSpyShots]

While the SMART is getting a lot of coverage in the U.S. these days because of the recent announcement that the little beauties will soon be available here (well, in a few years), some really cool news is going on on the other side of the globe, where SMART Australia recently introduced Carbon Zero, a plan that, as they put it, does nothing to the environment.

A free membership to Carbon Zero comes standard with each new SMART down under. The membership works a little like TerraPass, but offers a choice. Members can either help fund new technologies (like TerraPass does) or they can choose to have their membership pay for the planting of new trees. Either way, CO2 in the air should be reduced, and that's a smart thing to do.

[Source: Smart Australia]

Well, the Smart series of cars finally coming to the United States. DaimlerChrysler announced last week that the iconic and fuel-efficient little vehicles would be available for sale here as imports in 2008. While the various smart cars have been selling well in Europe since their debut in 1998, the three model versions that will be available in America will be updated from the current smart fortwo.  The smart vehicles will be available in the U.S. through the UnitedAuto Group, which currently have 172 dealer franchises around the country. A four-person smart is nowhere on the American horizon, since DaimlerChrysler signed a deal with Mitsubishi Motors Corporation to stop producing the smart forfour.

DaimlerChrysler AG Chairman of the Board of Management and head of Mercedes Car Group Dieter Zetsche said he was, "convinced that the smart fortwo as an innovative, ecological and agile city car will soon become just as familiar a sight on the streets of New York, Miami or Seattle, as it is today in Rome, Berlin or Paris."

[Source: DaimlerChrysler]