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[CrazyG]

Honda don't appear to have had that many issues
with their Jazz CVT....some initial...but soon sorted.
I guess is best to wait n see.

[Unknown]

Honda don't appear to have had that many issues
with their Jazz CVT....some initial...but soon sorted.
I guess is best to wait n see.

I have driven several CVT equipped cars by various manufacturers, I just found them lifeless. And when they have the pseudo tiptronic patterns it just makes the situation worse.

[Alex]

http://www.automarket.ro/stiri/dacia-va-furniza-motoare-tce-pentru-viitorul-smart-fortwo-50687.html

What this says is that Dacia will be supplying the 0.9 turbo petrol engines for the new smart fortwo.

Now, whoever said that the forfour is just a jumped up colt, than the fortwo is just a 2 door Sandero :p

900cc and 90hp won't be bad on the new fortwo, if it stays the same or even looses some weight.

On the other hand, if the new forfour also shares the platform with the twingo, than the forfour will have these engines as well.

There will also be a 1.2 4cyl turbo with 115 hp engine, but it won't be built by Dacia in Romania, but by Renault at Valencia. Maybe this will also be on the new forfour, it would make it quite nice to drive if paired with a 6 speed manual or even our old AMT.

[Problemchild]

But the Dacia engines are Renault.....

JJ

[Alex]

Yes, of course, as are many other parts.

But for me, it's very funny that i will be able to buy a fortwo with a Dacia engine because here Dacia is still very much in our memories as the old ones were, renault 12 patent, 100% Romanian built, low quality but remarkably reliable for the abuse they were subjected.

And now a smart with a Dacia engine

[basilbrush]

With the finance and the specifications  the big companies can set up a plant just about anywhere. The quality will be there because everything from the new factory to the machinery is  all laid out to plans from the word go. The important things to Renault will be a compliant host government and a cheap, preferably union free workforce.

[Alex]

And they get that here in spades. Plus, it's easy to ship them, both Ford (1.0 and 1.5 ecoboost) and Renault make engines here for their models.

Dacia engines mean all my local mechanics will know how to repair my engine, not just raise their shoulders when I ask them about adjusting valve play. Maybe even get some parts straight from the factory

[mr singh]

it's easy to ship them, both Ford (1.0 and 1.5 ecoboost)

correction, its a 1.6 ecoboost engine, not 1.5

[Alex]

The 1.6 ecoboost is made elsewhere, a new 1.5 ecoboost derived from the 1.0 is made at Craiova, Romania.

http://motoroids.com/news/ford-launches-a-1-5-litre-ecoboost-petrol-engine/

[Problemchild]

ecoboost will be old news in a few years - replaced by electric supercharged small capacity engine with elctricity for the supercharger provided by regen braking

JJ

[Alex]

Electrically assisted turbocharging is already here (BMW), but the electric turbo uses so much current and heats up so much that it can only be used for brief moments to eliminate lag, until the conventional turbos kick in

I'd go full electric if given the chance (I loved driving the electric fortwo, best smart fortwo by miles), we just need a standardized battery bank for quick swap instead of recharge, or that liquid battery that you can pump just like gas into your tank (with the difference that it also has to be pumped out, but that's not an issue).

I don't think that the smart being so small (and expensive) would ever make a good candidate for a hybrid with a thermal engine whose sole purpose is to recharge the battery (range extender). These are the hybrids that I really fancy until range is no longer an issue, or I'll afford two cars just for myself.

[mr singh]

The 1.6 ecoboost is made elsewhere, a new 1.5 ecoboost derived from the 1.0 is made at Craiova, Romania.

http://motoroids.com/news/ford-launches-a-1-5-litre-ecoboost-petrol-engine/

who knew.

i just hope it doesnt fall in to the trap of going FULL electric

[evilution]

The fact it is going to be called a ForTwo+2 and not a ForFour is what does matter.

There are no facts in this statement, merely repetition of what someone heard from someone else who made the story up.

[Unknown]

I would buy a Dacia over a new forfour, at least you're not paying for a badge.

There is still a lot of speculation and until someone reputable from smart actually confirms what the new range is going to be like, it will be a lot of here say.

I think the new forfour will struggle with a 0.9l engine, it will severely limit it's use to city driving and the occasional long run. Having passed a screaming 1.0l Citygo on the motorway the other day, I will doubt the sales of strict city cars will ever be significant to resurrect the smart brand.

Basically smart's two new models will be a three and five door variant, a fortwo and forfour. So you might as well save your pennies and the buy the Renault equivalent or be really cash smart and buy a Dacia - they'll all be the same under the skin.

Sorry to be so cynical but smart really haven't learnt from any of their mistakes, but I stand to be proven wrong.

[Alex]

I'm certain you haven't actually stepped into a Dacia. Interiors are outdated, I'd rather ride my push-bike.