The Smart Fortwo Passion marks the tenth anniversary of the model in the United States

Ten years have already passed. The revolution seems to have consolidated itself; the vague idea of a dreamer, owner of a watch brand carved out of sheer willpower, seems to have triumphed. Quality, economy and design delivered for a visionary reality: the need for a strictly urban car.

The Smart is one more milestone in automotive history, and for this anniversary things could not be more surprising. Nobody would have bet at its launch on such a resounding and long-lasting success; but even less would anyone have thought that its model could make a strong entry into markets such as the American one. That market, the American one, will soon receive a new version of the Smart called Passion.

This version, available both as a Coupé and as a Cabrio body, offers decent equipment at good prices together with the 1.0 engine producing 70 CV. Leather inserts, new interior storage compartments, a glass panoramic roof on the coupé version, a 12V power outlet and extensive safety equipment, along with other essential features: air conditioning, radio-CD…

Prices start at $13,590 (€7,900) for the coupé and $16,950 for the cabrio (€10,600). Low and competitive, but in the markets it is aimed at, what buyers consider most is how much they save after purchasing it. Consumption and emissions are evidently very low, which also provides peace of mind for those who face environmental charges in large cities.

On the other hand, Smart has also announced that in October of this same year all petrol versions will include the Start/Stop function as standard, or Micro Hybrid Drive as they call it. Thanks to this system, an average fuel saving of 8% and 9 grams less of CO2 emissions are expected.

Below we leave you with the galleries of the Passion version in its two variants, and strolling around Downtown Manhattan.

Via | Serious Wheels