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MCC Reengineers smart for 2003

In typical Mercedes-Benz fashion, Micro Car Company, the maker of the smart city car has announced several nifty upgrades for the 2003 model year--all of them found underneath the cute, adorable, cheeky exterior that everyone has grown to love.

For 2003, the biggest change is the addition of the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) as standard. ESP will take over from the TRUST-PLUS system that came with every smart coupe and cabriolet since its inception. The new ESP system incorporates a vast array of driver aids such as: anti-lock brakes, electronic brakeforce distribution, brake assist, acceleration skid control and hill start assist.

MCC has also answered the complaints about the smart's popsicle-like ride by re-tuning the suspension to a softer setting. In addition, the springs now have more travel than before. The use of ESP rather than TRUST-PLUS has allowed for these changes without making the smart suffer from any sort of unsafe handling. smart has also upgraded the tire sizes to 175/55 R 15 at the front and 195/50 R 15 at the back.

Under the rear side of the car, the smart boasts a bigger engine: 598 cc to 698 cc. The addition of 100 cc coupled with a redesigned three-cylinder engine enables the smart to have 6 more bhp than the previous model (50 from 44). The top-of-the-line turbocharged version gains 7 bhp (61 from 54). In addition, the Common Rail Injection Diesel engine with 40 bhp will still be made available. All engines now comply with the Euro-Step 4 standard.

The transmission has also been improved by adding a 'kickdown' function on the automatic SOFTOUCH system. This improvement enables the smart to change down one or two gears on the spur of the moment using the accelerator pedal.

Electric power steering will also be introduced as an option for all the smart car line-up.

In a few weeks time, independent German tuner, BRABUS will also be unveiling their tuned-up version of the smart coupe and cabriolet, which will also go on sale. The BRABUS version features a 74 bhp engine. This enables the smart to travel to 150 km/h top-speed compared to the standard version's 125-bhp.

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