It’s hard to believe that over the last few years they have built and sold over 750,000 of the Smart Fortwo. Really, it is actually more like 8 years, but we’ve only had them here in Canada for 2 or 3 years. Smart designers are seeing red at the end of the current model’s production run and have decided to offer the Edition Red.

Set to be released at next month’s Paris Motor Show, the Edition Red offers a bunch of upgrades, available in any colour you like, as long as it’s red. The interior is treated to Leather and Alcantara with some fancy stitching, air conditioning and an mp3 interface and aluminum pedals.

On the performance side, this micro is a veritable beast. The stock engine has been replaced with a 75 bhp BRABUS unit coupled to a sport exhaust.

DaimlerChrysler press release and lots of pics after the break

Before the fortwo successor model becomes available in the spring of 2007, the smart fortwo edition red will be offered for sale as a final special model to mark the phase-out of the current model. The sporty two-seater will be exhibited at the Paris Motor Show (28 September – 08 October 2006).The current smart fortwo model is already as good as sold out and it has achieved cult status within a very short space of time. Due to the high demand, production in Hambach, France, was increased once more at the beginning of this year. More than 750,000 vehicles have been delivered to customers since the market launch in October 1998.

The smart fortwo edition red is just as sporty as it looks: the BRABUS engine has a power output of 55 kW (75 bhp). 16 inch alloy wheels, a front spoiler and sports rear muffler further underline the sporty appearance. And as the name says, the tridion safety cell and bodypanels are painted in “intensive red”.

Leather and Alcantara with elaborately stitched seams dominate in the interior of the smart fortwo edition red. Special contrast components in “intensive red” and aluminium pedals add to the exclusive look. Air conditioning and an audio system with an MP3 interface are also part of the package. The smart fortwo edition red is available as a coupé or a cabrio and costs € 20,995 and € 23,695 respectively.