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.February 18, 2004
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This Week:

• BMW World and European Debuts at the Geneva Motor Show

• The new Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class: Celebrating its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show

• World Premier of the the Alfa 156 Crosswagon at the Geneva auto show

• Open Air - the New MINI Convertible Making its world debut in Geneva

• Cinema for those on the move: New DVD system for Passat and Sharan

• smart fortwo coupé and cabrio models to be sold in Canada beginning in 2004

• World Premier of the 'Fiat Trepiùno' Concept Car at the Geneva auto show

• Assembly Of The Opel Astra Classic To Start In The Ukraine

• World Premier of the Lancia Musa at the Geneva auto show

• GM Appoints New GMAC President

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smart fortwo coupé and cabrio models to be sold in Canada beginning in 2004

Photo: Automotive Intelligence
 

Toronto - Mercedes-Benz Canada announced today at the Canadian International Auto Show that it will start selling the 2005 smart fortwo coupé and cabrio cdi diesel models in the early fall of this year. The smart brand is one of three pillars that make up the Mercedes Car Group (Mercedes-Benz and Maybach are the other two). Since its introduction in 1998, the smart has clearly taken the world by surprise with an intelligent city car concept that also proffers incomparable safety and comfort features for a vehicle in this category. The smart models are now selling in more than 700 outlets in 31 countries around the world.

The fortwo cdi is a two-seater available in either a coupé or cabrio version. Equipped with an in-line 3-cylinder, 0.8 litre state-of-the art common rail diesel engine, it delivers 40 hp, 74 lb-ft of torque, a top speed of 120 km/h and consumes a scant 3.5 litres of diesel fuel per 100 kms. Measuring a mere 2.5 metres, it packs in a great deal of standard features - exclusive in its class- including ESP, Brake Assist, ABS, to name a few. It has also performed brilliantly in all of its safety tests.

The smart models will be sold exclusively through the Mercedes-Benz dealer network across the country. While the prices are still far from being confirmed at this point, the base model coupé will start from $16,000 and the base model cabrio will start at less than $20,000.

Mercedes-Benz Canada President and CEO, Marcus Breitschwerdt comments: "We decided to launch the current generation of fortwo smarts in Canada in response to strong consumer demand. Based on the success of the fortwo models around the world, it was the consensus that there is an unequivocal need for this type of intelligent, fuel efficient mobility in Canada." He adds, "The advanced common rail diesel cdi technology lends itself perfectly to the demands of today's sophisticated driver who is looking for clean energy, performance and fuel economy. smart will become an integral part of our product and brand portfolio, and we will expand and complete the smart line up in the coming years with additional models including an SUV."

(Feb 11, 2004)