Smart Android Head Units – what you need to know
Smart Fortwo owners mostly come to us with the same problem: the city car's factory head unit is either a simple radio with no screen or a blanking plate outright, and navigation and smartphone connectivity are out of the question. TopNAVI's Smart Android head units are made for exactly that: they go in place of the original radio with a model-specific frame and a plug-in wiring loom, so nothing has to be cut, soldered or trimmed into the dashboard. Our range focuses on the second, W451-coded generation of the Fortwo, with separate versions for the pre-facelift and the post-2010-facelift dashboard. The specification includes an eight-core processor, an HD touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, GPS navigation, Bluetooth hands-free calling, a reversing camera input and a multi-language menu; the factory steering wheel controls are retained after the learning procedure. With the Smart there are two things to watch particularly. One is the facelift: the W451's centre console was reworked around 2010, but the cut-off is not always clear from the registration document, so the reliable method is a photo of the centre section of the dashboard. The other is space: the Fortwo's cabin is one of the smallest on the market and the depth behind the radio aperture is tight, so only a unit sized for this body is worth choosing, because a universal, deep-bodied 2-DIN unit simply will not fit. It is worth knowing that Smart is the city brand of Daimler, the Mercedes-Benz group, and the W451 Fortwo was built in Hambach, France. The W453-coded Fortwo launched after 2014 is based on the Renault Twingo floorpan, with a completely different dashboard, so the W451 kit does not fit that generation. Every Smart head unit we sell carries a 2-year warranty, and items in stock are posted within one working day.
Frequently asked questions
Which Smart model and model years are the units for?
Our range is made for the second, W451-coded generation of the Fortwo, with separate kits for the pre-facelift and the post-facelift dashboard. We currently have no model-specific unit for the W453 Fortwo that arrived after 2014 or for the Forfour.
How do I know whether my car is pre- or post-facelift?
The year alone can be misleading, because the year of manufacture and of registration can differ, and the model update did not follow the calendar year. The reliable method is a photo of the centre section of the dashboard, around the radio and the vents: send it by e-mail and we will write back to say which kit fits.
Does a large screen fit in the Fortwo's tiny cabin?
Yes, because the units are made specifically for this body: the screen goes into the original radio position with its own frame, and the mounting depth is matched to the W451's tight radio aperture. We do not recommend a universal, deep-bodied 2-DIN unit for the Fortwo, though.
Are the factory functions retained after the swap?
The steering wheel buttons keep working after the learning procedure, the factory speakers and aerial can be used unchanged, and if the car has a reversing camera it can in most cases be rewired. If your car originally had a blanking plate rather than a radio, it is worth checking before installation whether the speaker and aerial wiring is in place; we are happy to help with that by phone.
What is the delivery time and the warranty?
Items in stock are posted within one working day, so the parcel typically arrives in 1-2 working days. Every head unit carries a 2-year warranty, and we are happy to help with the setup by phone.
