Currently reading: 2016 Smart Fortwo Cabrio unveiled in Frankfurt
New Cabrio version of the Smart Fortwo comes complete with a novel, three-stage folding fabric roof

Smart has added a convertible version to its all-new Fortwo city car line-up that features a novel new roof arrangement. 

The two-seater Cabrio’s ‘tritop’ fabric roof can be pushed back as a more conventional sunroof, with the rear screen built into it still up. Alternatively, it can be fully folded onto the tailgate along with the rear screen, at which point the two roof rails can also be removed and stored in the boot to turn it into a full convertible.

The roof, which is offered in three different colours, can be fully opened in 12 seconds, even when the car is travelling at top speed. It can also be opened from outside the car using the key fob.

Design-wise, the cabrio shares its look with the standard hard-top Smart Fortwo on which it is based. The Mercedes-Benz-owned brand has, however, improved rigidity underneath the car to compensate for the lack of a fixed roof.

A steel cross has been added beneath the vehicle, the A-pillars have been reinforced, and the front and rear bulkheads have been beefed up. The result is a car that is 15% stiffer than its predecessor.

The engine range of the Fortwo cabrio is shared with the hard-top, meaning a pair of three-cylinder petrol units is offered: a normally aspirated 70bhp 1.0-litre and an 89bhp turbocharged 0.9-litre. Transmission options include a five-speed manual and a DCT dual-clutch automatic.

The new Smart Fortwo Cabrio will be available to order from mid-November, when prices will be revealed. The model will reach dealers in February 2016. 

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Mark Tisshaw

mark-tisshaw-autocar
Title: Editor

Mark is a journalist with more than a decade of top-level experience in the automotive industry. He first joined Autocar in 2009, having previously worked in local newspapers. He has held several roles at Autocar, including news editor, deputy editor, digital editor and his current position of editor, one he has held since 2017.

From this position he oversees all of Autocar’s content across the print magazine, autocar.co.uk website, social media, video, and podcast channels, as well as our recent launch, Autocar Business. Mark regularly interviews the very top global executives in the automotive industry, telling their stories and holding them to account, meeting them at shows and events around the world.

Mark is a Car of the Year juror, a prestigious annual award that Autocar is one of the main sponsors of. He has made media appearances on the likes of the BBC, and contributed to titles including What Car?Move Electric and Pistonheads, and has written a column for The Sun.

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superstevie 28 August 2015

Nothing novel about the roof

Nothing novel about the roof at all. It is the same basic design that the 2 previous fortwo convertibles used.

As for the looks, well, I still think they could have done a lot better, but it has grown on me. I've seen quite a few of them, and the forfour, on the roads in Edinburgh now, and they definitely stand out.

uk_supercar_fan 28 August 2015

novel...

at which point the two roof rails can also be removed and stored in the boot to turn it into a full convertible....

...at which point it looks even more like a child's pram.

mx5xm 28 August 2015

Neat idea, but...

...a shame that they uglified the car!

It used to be a cute city car, now those headlights just shout Ugly! Any purchase is also based upon the looks and perception given by the vehicle, this would make me hesitant to buy.