forfour.co.uk

Forum => General Smart Chat => Topic started by: nomad8459 on January 20, 2012, 10:00:35 PM

Title: You might have seen this??
Post by: nomad8459 on January 20, 2012, 10:00:35 PM
http://www.topspeed.com/cars/car-news/smart-prepares-new-forfour-ar88357.html

This is intriguing, so many design aspects taken from the old forfour, maybe they decided they liked the old one afterall.

Not seen this before
Title: Re: You might have seen this??
Post by: funkydoodycool on January 20, 2012, 10:13:40 PM
I heard they were making a new forfour - but are they bringing it to the UK?  I heard rumours it was USA only, and that's from Mercedes in  Watford.
Title: Re: You might have seen this??
Post by: nomad8459 on January 20, 2012, 10:28:44 PM
From what I have been reading, they are releasing a forfour for America only that is gonna basically be a Nissan Micra and look much like a Nissan Micra, there are images of that design knocking around too:

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=new+forfour&hl=en&sa=X&biw=1366&bih=667&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=uRszlbjAvoaNyM:&imgrefurl=http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/258019/smart_announces_new_forfour.html&docid=H5BRZLTlLLnXqM&imgurl=http://photos.autoexpress.co.uk/images/front_picture_library_UK/dir_799/car_photo_399787_7.jpg&w=408&h=272&ei=GOoZT63rC4i98gObuYCjCw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=1050&vpy=160&dur=610&hovh=183&hovw=275&tx=156&ty=85&sig=107546144261585740696&page=1&tbnh=145&tbnw=228&start=0&ndsp=16&ved=1t:429,r:4,s:0

However this is a stopgap until the all new Forfour is released in 2014 apparently, the European version looks set to be based on the Renault Twingo and so I think will be smaller than our current crop which is a shame, cause my one little niggle is boot space on the current Forfour
Title: Re: You might have seen this??
Post by: Problemchild on January 20, 2012, 11:04:35 PM
That photoshopped one has been around for ages ;)

Tbh I really like it......and of all the designs I have seen, this is my fave!!

JJ
Title: Re: You might have seen this??
Post by: nomad8459 on January 21, 2012, 10:38:51 AM
Agreed JJ, the lean back towards the origional forfour in some of the features is great, however as i say I worry it will be too small to be practical next time round.

It is the best one I have seen too!
Title: Re: You might have seen this??
Post by: mr singh on January 21, 2012, 01:07:42 PM
there are test mules for the forfour in germany that are using the old a-class platform... me thinks there will be a new forfour soon (2014 according to autocar)
Title: Re: You might have seen this??
Post by: Unknown on January 21, 2012, 05:36:41 PM
AFAIK there will be a re-modeled Nissan Mirca/March for the US market but believe this has been shelved due to an ailing US market for smart.

The next forfour (EU) would be a forfour/Clio tie in and the fortwo tied in with the Twingo.

If you haven't guess Mercedes has signed Smart up with Renault-Nissan.
Title: Re: You might have seen this??
Post by: funkydoodycool on January 21, 2012, 07:33:23 PM
Not necessarily the best future for the brand.  Coming from Primera and Micra clubs over the last 3 years, the general feeling for both cars is that Renault's input destroyed them.

I have the K12 Micra (mk3) which is the first Renault had input to, and whilst it's a fantastic car, with fantastic handling, and a fantastic (Jap) engine, there are elements that clearly could have been made better.
Title: Re: You might have seen this??
Post by: Unknown on January 21, 2012, 09:32:53 PM
Not necessarily the best future for the brand.  Coming from Primera and Micra clubs over the last 3 years, the general feeling for both cars is that Renault's input destroyed them.

I have the K12 Micra (mk3) which is the first Renault had input to, and whilst it's a fantastic car, with fantastic handling, and a fantastic (Jap) engine, there are elements that clearly could have been made better.

I miss my K10 1.2 3 speed, such a bonny little tin can.
Title: Re: You might have seen this??
Post by: funkydoodycool on January 21, 2012, 11:27:43 PM
I miss my K10 1.2 3 speed, such a bonny little tin can.

In the Micra Sports Club there's a similar ration of K12s to K11s/10s as there is Forfours to Fortwos in the Smart enthusiast world.  They all hate the K12s.

My first car was a K10, I bought it at 13 years and 29k miles, sold it a while later.  I still see it about in Rickmansworth, it's 23 years old now!

I hope Brabbie lasts me as long ;)
Title: Re: You might have seen this??
Post by: Unknown on January 22, 2012, 10:17:05 PM
I miss my K10 1.2 3 speed, such a bonny little tin can.

In the Micra Sports Club there's a similar ration of K12s to K11s/10s as there is Forfours to Fortwos in the Smart enthusiast world.  They all hate the K12s.

My first car was a K10, I bought it at 13 years and 29k miles, sold it a while later.  I still see it about in Rickmansworth, it's 23 years old now!

I hope Brabbie lasts me as long ;)

My K10 was my first car, bought it when it was 15 y/o sold it about 5 years later. I loved putting 97RON fuel in, used make the car into a rocket!!! I believe the car is still on the road.

This was a great article I read 4 years ago about the Micra being the car equivalent of a cockroach, indestructible! http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/motoring/features/nissan-micra-443911.html
Title: Re: You might have seen this??
Post by: Problemchild on January 22, 2012, 10:23:55 PM
people keep asking me what car to buy thats affordable to run, cheap to buy and reliable.

i say the micra and almost everyone has gone "urgh - no thanks" and gone off and bought a ka/fiesta/corsa!!

problem motoring ahead ;)

i like all the micras! there is a lovely bubble one around us lowered with euro style banded steelies. low key but yummy!!

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201203443300933/sort/priceasc/usedcars/maximum-mileage/up_to_40000_miles/price-to/1000/model/micra/make/nissan/postcode/bs161tr/page/1/radius/1501?logcode=p

how can you go wrong????

JJ
Title: Re: You might have seen this??
Post by: Unknown on January 22, 2012, 10:32:11 PM
people keep asking me what car to buy thats affordable to run, cheap to buy and reliable.

i say the micra and almost everyone has gone "urgh - no thanks" and gone off and bought a ka/fiesta/corsa!!

problem motoring ahead ;)

i like all the micras! there is a lovely bubble one around us lowered with euro style banded steelies. low key but yummy!!

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201203443300933/sort/priceasc/usedcars/maximum-mileage/up_to_40000_miles/price-to/1000/model/micra/make/nissan/postcode/bs161tr/page/1/radius/1501?logcode=p

how can you go wrong????

JJ

They have the wrong image, like Honda - the Accord n Civic are bought by the older generation for a reliable n solid motor. The Micra Mk2a n Mk2b (facelifted circa 1997) are very agricultural in their design, you have 4 wheels, an engine and thats about it - they go and go very well. My Mother has a 1999 plate 1.4 (the best engine) mated to a CVT 'box and boy does it shift and return a decent mpg. No electric windows, nothing fancy its a car that works.
Title: Re: You might have seen this??
Post by: funkydoodycool on January 22, 2012, 10:48:16 PM
My K12 would beat a lot of it's competitors around town - gets slow around 80, and tops at 100... but we don't drive at that speed do we.

Love it, wish I was keeping it... but Brabbie is better all round.
Title: Re: You might have seen this??
Post by: nomad8459 on January 25, 2012, 07:28:40 PM
This suggests the next forfour will be a rear wheel drive double clutch gearbox thingy!

http://steeringnews.com/2012-renault-twingo
Title: Re: You might have seen this??
Post by: Problemchild on January 25, 2012, 08:20:48 PM
Well I have to say that that is lovely :)

...even if it is a Renault !

JJ
Title: Re: You might have seen this??
Post by: nomad8459 on January 25, 2012, 08:29:56 PM
I prefer the rendering in the initial post if I am honest, really hoped the next forfour would look like that.

TBH the new A class if they make anything close to the concept will be the nicest looking small car around in my opinion.

(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e9WpyPZJUaI/TcoOcYeY_VI/AAAAAAAAAP8/agAlxNO9Xq8/s1600/new-Mercedes-Benz-a-class.jpg)
Title: Re: You might have seen this??
Post by: Problemchild on January 25, 2012, 08:47:56 PM
brabus/amg one of those please :)

JJ
Title: Re: You might have seen this??
Post by: nomad8459 on January 25, 2012, 08:53:04 PM
It is rather nice.... ;D

Initial concept was stunning though......

(http://www.msg-nonstatuscontracthire.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/New-Mercedes-A-class-design-MSG-Cars-and-leasing-.jpg)
Title: Re: You might have seen this??
Post by: funkydoodycool on January 25, 2012, 09:47:11 PM
This suggests the next forfour will be a rear wheel drive double clutch gearbox thingy!

Kinda like an Audi TT ;)
Title: Re: You might have seen this??
Post by: CrazyG on January 25, 2012, 11:05:09 PM
It's a shame that in 99 out of 100 cases, the actual car when it is produced only
bears about 70% resemblance to the concept that everyone raves about.

I guess that is due to the concept being the designers idea of what it should be....
and then the engineers get hold of it and work out what can and can't be done,
and finally the 'bean counters'  (accountants) tell the engineers what they actually
afford to have.
Title: Re: You might have seen this??
Post by: funkydoodycool on January 25, 2012, 11:10:42 PM
It's a shame that in 99 out of 100 cases, the actual car when it is produced only
bears about 70% resemblance to the concept that everyone raves about.

They should take a leaf out of Apple's book...

http://thenextweb.com/apple/2012/01/24/this-is-how-apples-top-secret-product-development-process-works/?awesm=tnw.to_1CvdT (http://thenextweb.com/apple/2012/01/24/this-is-how-apples-top-secret-product-development-process-works/?awesm=tnw.to_1CvdT)
Title: Re: You might have seen this??
Post by: nomad8459 on January 31, 2012, 07:06:54 PM
Take a look at this photoshop monatge!

Bottom pic especially, loves it!

http://www.smarpache.com/44.htm