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Surrey’s Premier Lifestyle Magazine
Smart choice?
Innovative smart’s latest version of its nippy little city runaround has received mixed reviews, but there’s no getting away from the quirky funkiness and excellence of the original design. Now updated and in a four door version, fortwo and forfour are serious options for the city slicker who wants something more than a scooter to get about in and negotiate crowded urban streets, says Euan Johns.
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In the sixties, the bubble car enthralled the public with its impossible dimensions and strange looks. Born out of the need to economise on fuel and from its aircraft makers’ backgrounds, it looked like someone had taken an airplane cockpit and stuck it on three wheels. A similar reaction was evoked when the first smart cars arrived almost 20 years ago. The smart car was originally designed by Nicolas Hayek, the man who brought us the iconic Swatch watch design. There are now updates of the smart fortwo and forfour versions.
As you’d expect, the specs are higher and environmental credentials improved. But the models have lost none of their agility and are surprisingly spacious inside. Despite modest proportions, the new smarts are packed with equipment, fitted with £300 of extras including direct steer electric power steering, an automatic start/stop function and LED daytime running lights.
The fortwo is available in two power options: 71hp and 90hp turbo. These are twinned with a new five-speed manual gearbox for the first time. There’s an optional six-speed dual clutch automatic transmission that brings quicker gear changes and efficiency. Fuel economy is just under 70mpg for both models in the combined cycle. The forfour uses the same engine delivering similar, but slightly less, figures. The back seats of the forfour fold down to allow bulkier items to be transported.
The cars come in three variations: Passion, Prime and Proxy. For the additional £700 payable for the Prime and Proxy models you’ll get 15" five-twin-spoke black alloys, a panoramic glass roof, black leather upholstery, heated seats and lane-keeping assist on the Prime.
As you’d expect, the specs are higher and environmental credentials improved. But the models have lost none of their agility and are surprisingly spacious inside. Despite modest proportions, the new smarts are packed with equipment, fitted with £300 of extras including direct steer electric power steering, an automatic start/stop function and LED daytime running lights.
The fortwo is available in two power options: 71hp and 90hp turbo. These are twinned with a new five-speed manual gearbox for the first time. There’s an optional six-speed dual clutch automatic transmission that brings quicker gear changes and efficiency. Fuel economy is just under 70mpg for both models in the combined cycle. The forfour uses the same engine delivering similar, but slightly less, figures. The back seats of the forfour fold down to allow bulkier items to be transported.
The cars come in three variations: Passion, Prime and Proxy. For the additional £700 payable for the Prime and Proxy models you’ll get 15" five-twin-spoke black alloys, a panoramic glass roof, black leather upholstery, heated seats and lane-keeping assist on the Prime.
The Proxy offers 16" eight-Y-spoke alloy wheels in black, lane keeping assist and the sports package.
Should the whim take you, upgrade with the choice of the Premium and Premium Plus Packages. The Premium Package is available on all model lines of the fortwo and forfour and the extra provides rear parking assistance, a smart media system with navigation, height adjustable steering wheel and heated, electrically adjustable door mirrors.
Those with spare cash can go even further. Opt for the Premium Plus Package (which includes Premium Pack available on the prime and proxy model lines only) and gain ambient lighting, coming home function, LED headlamps with light guide, rain and light sensors and a rear view camera.
Should the whim take you, upgrade with the choice of the Premium and Premium Plus Packages. The Premium Package is available on all model lines of the fortwo and forfour and the extra provides rear parking assistance, a smart media system with navigation, height adjustable steering wheel and heated, electrically adjustable door mirrors.
Those with spare cash can go even further. Opt for the Premium Plus Package (which includes Premium Pack available on the prime and proxy model lines only) and gain ambient lighting, coming home function, LED headlamps with light guide, rain and light sensors and a rear view camera.
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“Despite increased safety requirements, we have managed to retain the smart fortwo’s unique length of just 2.69 metres. It shares its architecture with the new forfour. We have tailored both of the vehicles to the needs of modern-day city traffic. My team is particularly proud of the turning circle, which sets a brand new benchmark at just 6.95 metres for the fortwo.”
Markus Riedel, head of development at smartSo behind all the razzmatazz and myriad of options, what’s the bottom line? Well, if practicality is a prime concern, then it maybe worth thinking twice. The car is a great town runaround, has the expected low running costs and these new versions are well equipped. It’s not a sports car, but who needs that in town, apart for a bit of showmanship? The smart’s handling and tight turning circle will enable drivers to park on a sixpence in a space not much larger and for that it’s worth considering.
But for those who don’t feel like shelling out the extra (well quite considerable extra £2.5k) it may be worth looking at the VW Up which has the looks and same feel as its larger cousin the Golf. The advantage the smart has over its rivals is its high spec standards. Will we fall quite so in love with the car as the Chinese, Germans and Italians have? Well that remains to be seen.
But for those who don’t feel like shelling out the extra (well quite considerable extra £2.5k) it may be worth looking at the VW Up which has the looks and same feel as its larger cousin the Golf. The advantage the smart has over its rivals is its high spec standards. Will we fall quite so in love with the car as the Chinese, Germans and Italians have? Well that remains to be seen.