Smart Fortwo History
Smart's iconic two-seat city car — three generations from 1998 to 2024, including an EQ electric variant and US availability from 2008 to 2019.
Photo: “2001 MCC Smart City-Coupé Passion Softouch 600cc Front.jpg” by Vauxford / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
History
The Fortwo (originally badged 'City-Coupé') launched in October 1998 across nine European markets as the first product of the Swatch–Daimler joint venture MCC. Its 2.5-metre length and rear-mounted turbocharged three-cylinder engine made it the shortest production car on the road, purpose-built for urban parking and low-speed commuting.
A second generation (W451) arrived in 2007 with a softer design and improved refinement, and brought the Fortwo to North America for the first time — US sales began in January 2008 and continued through April 2019. The third generation (C453), unveiled in July 2014 and co-developed with Renault on a shared platform with the Twingo, added a six-speed dual-clutch option and a dedicated Cabriolet variant for 2016.
An all-electric version was offered through much of the model's life: a second-generation electric drive debuted in 2009, and the third-generation car was rebranded 'Smart EQ Fortwo' from 2018. Production of the combustion and EQ Fortwo ended in 2024 as Smart pivoted fully to the Geely-era all-electric crossover lineup.
Generations
First generation (W450) · W450 (City-Coupé / Fortwo)
Photo: “2001 MCC Smart City-Coupé Passion Softouch 600cc Front.jpg” by Vauxford / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
The original 2.5 m city car — launched as the City-Coupé, renamed Fortwo in 2004 — with a rear-mounted 599 cc or 698 cc turbocharged three-cylinder.
2001 Photo: “2001 MCC Smart City-Coupé Passion Softouch 600cc Front.jpg” by Vauxford / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Second generation (W451) · W451
Photo: “2008 Smart Fortwo (22996569746).jpg” by Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0
A softer, more refined update; the generation that brought the Fortwo to the US (2008–2014 model years) and added an electric drive option from 2009.
2008 Photo: “2008 Smart Fortwo (22996569746).jpg” by Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0
2011 Photo: “2011 Smart Fortwo Passion MHD Automatic 1.0 Rear.jpg” by Vauxford / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
2014 Photo: “2014 Smart Fortwo Grandstyle Edition Automatic 1.0.jpg” by Makizox / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Third generation (C453) · C453
Photo: “2018 Smart ForTwo Passion Auto.jpg” by Calreyn88 / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Co-developed with Renault (shared platform with the Twingo); added a Cabriolet (2016) and rebranded as Smart EQ Fortwo from 2018 in electric form.
2018 Photo: “2018 Smart ForTwo Passion Auto.jpg” by Calreyn88 / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Body styles
- Coupe (microcar)
- Cabriolet
Notable special editions & performance variants
Crossblade
An open-top, doorless, windshield-less first-generation variant — a production roadster concept of which 2,000 were built in 2002.
Brabus
Brabus-tuned performance editions offered across all three generations, featuring uprated engines (up to ~100 hp in later forms) and sport bodywork.
Smart EQ Fortwo
The all-electric third-generation Fortwo, rebranded under the EQ badge from 2018; ended production alongside the combustion model in 2024.
Related models
Collect the nameplate
Find a scale model of the Smart Fortwo
Search Amazon across available years, colors, and scales. Exact releases vary, so confirm the listing before ordering.