SMART has released details of its new four-seater car to be offered next year, launching the brand into the mainstream for the first time.

The smart forfour will come with a choice of three petrol engines or a diesel with two power outputs and will be marketed as a premium small car, giving DaimlerChrysler the equivalent of the BMW MINI or the Audi A2.

Although it has an individual platform, it shares about 40% of its components with the next generation Mitsubishi Colt, which will be built at the same plant in the Netherlands through Mitsubishi's alliance with DaimlerChrysler.

All forfour models will have an electronic stabilisation programme (ESP) as standard and there will be two equipment levels – pulse and passion.

A five-speed manual transmission will come as standard (a first for smart), while a newly developed automated six-speed transmission will be an option.

Customers will be able to choose between a plastic roof, a panoramic glass roof or an electric glass sunroof, while the rear seats can be adjusted to vary rear legroom and the luggage area. A sports package will also be available with lowered suspension.

Options will include a Mercedes-style multi-function steering wheel, while audio equipment is also shared with its sister brand and includes a colour screen and Comand TV, video and navigation system.

The smallest petrol engine will be a three-cylinder 1.1-litre unit, developing 74bhp, with the intermediate four-cylinder 1.3-litre producing 94bhp. The range-topping petrol motor is a 107bhp 1.5-litre and the outputs from the 1.5-litre common rail diesel will be 67bhp or 94bhp.