SMART FORTWO (450) CABRIOLET COLLECTOR RECORD

VEHICLE INFORMATION

Model Year: 2005

Chassis Code: 450 (First Generation Facelift)

Body Style: 2-Door Cabriolet (Power Soft-Top)

Engine Layout: Rear-Engine, Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD)

Engine Type: 0.7L Turbocharged 3-Cylinder Petrol

Transmission: 6-Speed Automated Manual (Automated Clutch)

RARITY & HISTORICAL CONTEXT
Production Era: 20002007 (Facelift introduced late 2003 / 2004)
NZ Market Status: Extremely limited imports (Japan/UK parallel & NZ-new rarer)
Estimated NZ Population: ~50150 units total nationwide (all 450 Cabrio years)

Rarity Index: High (Niche Euro Micro-Car Collector Status)

KEY CABRIOLET FEATURES

*2-Stage Power-Operated Convertible Soft-Top

Removable Roof Side Bars (convertible to full open-air spyder)

*Unique Rear "B-Shaped" Taillight Cluster

Tridion Safety Cell Architecture

This record serves as an unofficial summary of vehicle specifications,

rarity data, and historical context for enthusiasts and owners.

Technical specs

The 700cc (0.7L) Mercedes-Benz/Supersonic engine used in the Smart Fortwo

(M160 chassis 450) has a surprisingly unique design:

1. 3 cylinders, water cooled 2 Valves per Cylinder (6 valves total across the 3 cylinders).

2. Single Overhead Camshaft (SOHC) layout driven by a timing chain.

3.Multi point Fuel Injection System / multi-Rail Fuel Injection (MPI): It uses individual electronic fuel injectors spraying into each intake port rather than an old-style single-point (throttle-body) injection setup.

4. 2 Spark Plugs per Cylinder, Twin-Spark / Dual Ignition, 6 spark plugs in total.

5, 6 speed Tiptronic gearbox with Auto switch in the centre shift.

6, Turbo with Intercooler

SAFETY Smart 450 safety shell and Airbags:-

1,The safety shell on the Smart Fortwo (450 chassis) is officially called the Tridion Safety Cell.

Designed by Mercedes-Benz, it acts like a rigid, high-tech "roll cage" or nut shell built directly into the car's structure.

Rigid Occupant Protection:

Built using hot-formed boron and ultra-high-strength steel (UHSS), the cage is engineered not to deform. Instead of relying on long front crumple zones (which micro-cars don't have), the cage keeps the interior cabin completely intact during a crash.

Energy Transfer & Deflection:

In a collision, the stiff structure redirects and distributes impact forces throughout the entire floor plan and chassis frame away from the driver and passenger.

The "Nut in a Shell" Concept:

The soft interior and occupants are padded by airbags and seatbelts while the surrounding steel cage resists crushing, even when struck by much larger vehicles.

2. Cabriolet Safety (Soft-Top Differences)

Even on the Cabriolet (convertible) models, safety remains high:

Reinforced Pillars:

The A-pillars (windshield frame) are reinforced with extra-thick steel tubes inside to prevent collapsing in a rollover.

B-Pillar Bar:

The rear soft-top structure includes a rigid steel roll bar that bridges the rear quarter panels, maintaining structural rigidity even with the roof folded down.

Removable Roof Bars:

The side roof rails can be unlatched and removed for full open-air driving without compromising the primary safety cell underneath.

3. Visual & Functional Features

Exposed Design:

Mercedes intentionally left the Tridion frame visible on the exterior (usually finished in contrast black or silver paint) as a key styling element.

Plastic Body Panels:

The coloured outer door, fender, and hood panels are lightweight, flexible thermoplastic that easily snap offthey are non-structural and purely cosmetic.

Smart 450 Cabrio measurments:-
Height: 1,549 mm
Length: 2,500 mm
Width: 1,515 mm (excluding side mirrors)
Wheelbase: 1,811 mm

Turning circle: Kerb-to-Kerb: 8.7 metres (~28.5 feet) Wall-to-Wall: 8.75 metres (~28.7 feet)

Ground Clearance: ~135 mm to 140 mm

Fun Fact: Because its height (1.55 m) is more than half of its total length (2.50 m), the original Smart 450 has one of the highest height-to-length proportions of any standard production vehicle, giving it its signature upright seating position and surprisingly generous interior headroom!