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Smart City Red - An iconic miniature of urban motoring
The red Smart City in 1:43 scale represents one of the most revolutionary vehicles of the late 20th century. This faithfully reproduced miniature captures the essence of this small city car that revolutionized the urban automobile. A true collector's item , it bears witness to an era when the automotive industry dared to completely rethink urban mobility.
Presented in its transparent protective case, this meticulous reproduction is aimed at both passionate collectors and automotive history enthusiasts. The miniature Smart City perpetuates the memory of a bold concept that had a lasting impact on the evolution of the modern automobile.
Characteristics of the miniature
- Model: Smart City
- Brand: Smart
- Year: 1998-2007
- Scale: 1/43rd
- Color: Red
- Protective case included: Yes
History of the Smart City model
The Smart City was officially born in 1998, the result of an unprecedented collaboration between Mercedes-Benz and Swatch . This ambitious project aimed to create a vehicle perfectly suited to urban traffic, combining extreme compactness and optimal safety. At only 2.50 meters long, the Smart City revolutionized the concept of the city car with its reduced dimensions that allowed parking perpendicular to the sidewalks.
The original vehicle is distinguished by its reinforced safety cell called "tridion," visible externally and painted in black, contrasting with the colored bodywork. This unique architecture offers remarkable protection despite the vehicle's reduced size. The Smart City also offers a three-cylinder engine of 600 cc, later 700 cc, coupled with an automated gearbox that was revolutionary for the time.
Commercially, the Smart City has met with immediate success in Europe , particularly in large cities where its maneuverability and parking qualities are highly valued. It paves the way for a whole range of compact urban vehicles that will have a lasting influence on the automotive market.
Smart: innovation at the service of urban mobility
The Smart brand was born in 1994 from the shared vision of Nicolas Hayek , founder of Swatch, and Mercedes-Benz. This unlikely alliance between Swiss watchmaking and German automotive gave birth to a completely innovative concept: to create a car as customizable as a Swatch watch, but with the reliability and safety of Mercedes.
The Hambach plant in Moselle is becoming the cradle of this automotive revolution. Designed according to the principles of Industry 4.0 ahead of its time, it integrates suppliers directly into the production site, revolutionizing automotive manufacturing methods. This approach allows for extensive vehicle customization and exceptional responsiveness to market demands.
Smart quickly established itself as the symbol of a new mobility, responding to emerging environmental concerns and the growing constraints of urban traffic. The brand developed a unique identity, combining technological innovation and bold design , which appealed to a young, urban clientele seeking alternatives to the traditional automobile.
A revolution born from an unlikely encounter
The story of the Smart City begins with a chance meeting between Nicolas Hayek and the executives of Mercedes-Benz at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1992. The Swatch boss, convinced that the automobile industry must evolve as watchmaking had, proposed a revolutionary concept: a modular and customizable car like a Swatch watch. This idea immediately appealed to the Germans, aware of the need to innovate in the face of urban challenges.
The development of the Smart City is accompanied by some interesting anecdotes. During the first crash tests, engineers discovered that the car was so light that it literally "bounced" upon impact. This characteristic, initially perceived as a flaw, ultimately became a major asset for passive safety. The tridion structure dissipates impact energy while deforming the passenger compartment as little as possible.
The Smart City also made history with its bold advertising campaigns. In 1998, Smart organized a spectacular operation by parking cars in spaces impossible for conventional vehicles, thus concretely demonstrating the advantages of its reduced dimensions. These demonstrations, filmed and widely broadcast, greatly contributed to the model's commercial success.
Culturally, the Smart City is quickly becoming a symbol of modernity and emerging eco-responsibility. It has inspired numerous films and television series, becoming the emblem of 21st-century urban mobility. Its presence in European city centers is even transforming the urban landscape, influencing the layout of parking spaces and mobility policies.
Complete your collection of urban model cars
This red Smart City occupies a prominent place in the world of contemporary car model cars. It perfectly represents the automotive industry's evolution toward more compact and environmentally friendly solutions. Its faithful reproduction makes it a valuable testament to the urban revolution that marked the end of the 20th century.
For passionate collectors, this miniature harmonizes perfectly with other iconic models of French and European automobiles. It naturally interacts with the Citroën 2CV model cars , another revolution in popular mobility, or with the Renault models that have marked the history of French automobiles. Concept car enthusiasts will also find an ideal complement, the Smart City itself having revolutionized automotive aesthetic codes.
This reproduction is particularly aimed at collectors of modern vehicles and enthusiasts of light commercial vehicles . It also finds its place in thematic collections dedicated to French automobiles , the Smart City having been produced in France. Fans of 1/43 scale model cars will particularly appreciate the level of detail of this reproduction, which faithfully captures the innovative spirit of this iconic model.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to understand the scales of miniatures?
Scale indicates the reduction ratio between the real car and the miniature. For example, at 1:43 scale, each centimeter on the miniature corresponds to 43 centimeters on the real vehicle.
Concretely, a 1/18 scale Ferrari model is approximately 25-30 cm long, while in 1/43 scale it measures approximately 10 cm.
What scales are available?
Our model cars are mainly offered in 1/43, 1/24, 1/18 and 1/87 (HO) scales. The scale is always indicated in the product sheet.
The smaller the second number, the larger the model car (e.g. 1/18 is larger than 1/43).
Does the model car come with protection?
Yes, each model car is systematically delivered in its protective box. This box preserves the collectible value and protects your model car from dust and shocks.
How is my package protected during transport?
We package each order with the utmost care: bubble wrap, appropriate cushioning, and polystyrene. Your model car is perfectly secure during its journey.
What is the delivery time?
In-stock items are shipped within 24-48 hours. Please allow 2-3 business days for France via Colissimo or 4-5 days via Mondial Relay.
The model car is no longer in stock, when will you have it?
It's impossible for me to know exactly when I'll receive a new stock because I receive arrivals in dribs and drabs. Please contact me so I can keep you informed as soon as it's available.
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