The countdown has started for the new fortwo cabrio, a particularly iconic variant of the new model series. The open-top two-seater will have its world premiere this month at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt. The new smart cabrio will be available for ordering from mid-November and the first models will reach dealers in February 2016.

It is billed as three cars in one as at the touch of a button the new smart cabrio is transformed from a closed two-seater into a car with a large sliding canvas sunroof, or a fully fledged cabriolet with the soft top completely open. This enables the fresh air driving experience to be adapted to the weather or the driver’s mood. This flexibility offered by the “tritop” folding soft top and the removable roof bars is a special feature – and not just in this segment. At the same time, the new smart cabrio is the only true cabriolet in its vehicle class.

Dr Annette Winkler, Head of smart, said: “Our new smart cabrio really exudes joie de vivre in the city – which is what our brand stands for. I am sure that we will delight our present 220,000 cabrio customers and win lots of new fans with this successful lifestyle icon.”

The new smart cabrio is clearly recognisable as a member of the new smart generation. The third model also embodies the smart design philosophy of FUN.ctional design, defined by two poles – the heart and mind. The design idiom is clear, purist and very progressive. This includes the typical silhouette with ultra-short overhangs, the clear lines, shapes and surfaces and the tridion safety cell. With the grille in a fading honeycomb design and the rhombic headlamps, the face is unmistakably smart. The B-pillar is narrower than on the closed variant and the styling of the tridion safety cell is more progressive, giving the smart fortwo cabrio an even sportier and more forward-focused look.

Prospective customers can choose between three different colours for the “tritop” fabric soft top: blue denim (jeans look), red or black. The headlining is always grey and the removable roof bars that can be stowed in a compartment in the tailgate come in the tridion colour.

When the sun peeps out from behind the clouds, smart fortwo cabrio drivers can react quickly. The fabric soft top can be opened fully automatically in 12 seconds – even when driving at top speed. With the three-button key the soft top can also be opened from outside the car by remote control.

Removing the side roof bars enables a full-blown cabrio experience. The roof bars can be stowed on the inside of the tailgate. This stowage compartment in the tailgate also offers additional stowage space for small items, for example fluorescent jacket, first-aid kit or warning triangle.

The new smart fortwo cabrio is the most rigid smart cabrio ever. The torsional strength has been improved by around 15 per cent compared with the predecessor. The material mix comprises a high proportion of ultra-high strength hot-formed steels and maximum-strength multiphase steels. In addition, the cabrio has been specifically reinforced in decisive places in comparison to the coupé. The modifications include a large steel cross under the vehicle, two torsional bulkheads under the vehicle at the front and rear and an inner tube in the A-pillars made of high strength hot-formed steel.

As well as meeting the requirements of mandatory crash tests, the smart fortwo cabrio – with a safety concept that includes the tridion safety cell typical of the brand for efficient energy absorption – also passes additional Mercedes-Benz crash tests that often have much stricter requirements. This includes the “roof-drop” test. Here the body falls at a slight angle from a height of 50 centimetres onto the roof structure and the vehicle hits one of the two A-pillars.

The new cabrio will initially be available with two state-of-the-art three-cylinder engines rated at 71bhp and 90bhp. Both engines can be combined with the five-speed manual transmission or the fully automatic twinamic dual clutch transmission.

In addition to the three lines passion, prime and proxy, customers can choose from a large range of safety and comfort features – including the new features added in the latest facelift such as smartphone integration with MirrorLink^® (standard in combination with the smart Media-System) or the Urban Style package (including black wheel arch linings and lowering kit).