smart city-coupé pulse 55
The first smart was only 2.5 metres long, but its rear-mounted turbo engine, visible safety cell and replaceable coloured panels made it look—and work—like nothing else in the car park.
Smart pulse.jpg · Mathieu Chevalley · Public domain
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More than a set of wheels.
The smart city-coupé appeared publicly at the 1997 Frankfurt show, then entered production and sale in 1998. The pulse was the stronger of the two launch petrol versions, using a 599 cc turbo three-cylinder and a six-speed automated manual to drive the rear wheels. Its two-seat body measured just 2.5 metres long, while the exposed tridion safety cell carried interchangeable plastic outer panels.
Look a little closer.
The name “smart” combined Swatch, Mercedes and art—even though the production company became fully Daimler-owned in 1998.
Photos show an example of the model or generation. The pictured vehicle’s year, equipment, or modifications can differ from the specification described here.
A safety cell you could see
The first smart made its structural tridion cell part of the styling rather than hiding it beneath outer metal. Coloured plastic panels attached outside it, separating the load-bearing safety structure from much of the visible skin.
Source: smart Newsroom · Heritage ↗Why the “automatic” could feel different
The six-speed transmission was an automated manual: gears and a clutch remained, but actuators did the clutch work. That saved space in the tiny powertrain package, while producing more noticeable shift pauses than a conventional automatic.
Source: AutoWeek · city-coupé pulse 55 specifications ↗Where these facts come from
- smart Newsroom · Heritage
- Mercedes-Benz Media · smart at 20
- AutoWeek · smart city-coupé pulse 55
- Archives & Catalogues Automobiles · September 1998 smart brochure record
Selected facts checked for this edition. Some source pages link to broader model families. Last reviewed October 2, 2026.