WANT to go anywhere on a thimbleful of fuel, park in spaces a shopping trolley would blanch at in a car which turns heads wherever it goes – then the smart fortwo coupe will be top of your list.
The latest model solves many of the problems associated with the original version – which nevertheless achieved great sales figures – while retaining the sense of fun that attracts those looking for a stylish, environmentally-friendly solution to city motoring.
The 54bhp three-cylinder diesel engine powering the car I drove averages in the region of 80mpg and emits just 89g/km of carbon dioxide making running costs about as low as they can be without reverting to a bicycle.
The fortwo is also cheap to insure but be prepared to pay the asking price as there are unlikely to be any discounts on offer when you get to the showroom.
The clutchless semi-automatic gearbox takes a breath between gear changes but otherwise gets the job done. However, the suspension is quite firm ensuring the ride quality wasn’t as good as I was expecting.
Although the engine – situated just behind the front seats – is extremely frugal it does make a bit of a racket, especially when driving on motorways. Turning the radio/CD player up is an option but the feeling you are in a delivery van rather than a city car can’t be escaped.
That’s not to say that the interior is poor – it is actually very good with comfortable seats and a neat dashboard that uses good quality materials.
Looking forward there is no visual clue in the cabin of the smart’s cute dimensions – it only becomes apparent when glancing out of the rear window.
There’s plenty of room though for two large adults with a plentiful supply of leg, head and shoulder space in a solidly-built cabin that is surprisingly conventional considering the smart’s ground-breaking design.
Wide-opening doors mean it’s easy to get in and out, and although the boot isn’t massive, its 220-litre capacity compares well with other city cars.
There are big, user-friendly buttons and dials to control the audio system and air conditioning which makes life leisurely for the driver while it is reasonably easy to find a comfortable position behind the wheel.
The exterior has a surprisingly macho and athletic style for one so small with handsome features set off by a neat-looking grille and headlamps.
Equipment levels are good on the entry-level Pulse which, in addtion to the air con system featuring dust and pollen filters and the radio/CD player, offers electric windows, alloy wheels, steering wheel-mounted gearshift paddles, plus a clock and a rev counter perched on top of the dashboard.
One puzzling omission for me from the Pulse was power steering, available as an option, which made parking more difficult than it should have been.
Step up to the more luxury-orientated Passion cars and the paddles are dropped in favour of a fully automatic programme for the gearbox and there’s also a panoramic glass roof included.
Getting into a car as small as the smart does cause you to think of safety in a way that isn’t the case when you climb into a traditional family car.
The fortwo does a good job allaying any concerns thanks to the tridion safety cell which protects the driver and passenger in much the same way as a nut is protected by its hard shell. Together with the crash management system the smart can boast outstanding all-round protection.
All fortwos are also fitted with a stability control system designed to keep the car on the road in weather and road conditions that are less than ideal.
The smart fortwo is clearly aimed at the younger buyer seeking an easy to park, cost effective, reasonably green car that includes fun in the mix.
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