Smart ForTwo 2008 Overview
But since the all-new Smart Fortwo was unveiled this week in Sydney, it arrived with a question mark as to its real relevance on Australian roads.
The one-model company under parent company Mercedes-Benz sold just 550 Fortwos in Australia last year. And that number, which Smart Australia boss Wolfgang Schrempp admits, is not profitable enough to continue for the next three to four years. But they are confident that the second generation of the new car could help boost those numbers.
Since the late 1990s, Smart has sold 770,000 Fortwos worldwide. This is an environmentally friendly city car for those who want to stand out with their quirky, individual and "smart" mindset. And the new model is a little bigger and better than its predecessor.
The Fortwo will be available with two engines and two body styles. Both are powered by a naturally aspirated 999cc three-cylinder engine. see manufactured by Mitsubishi, one of which puts out 52kW and the other gets some help from a turbocharger and delivers 62kW. Customers can also choose from a coupe or convertible model with a convertible top that retracts at any speed and a coupe with a sliding cladding glass roof. The new Fortwo has become less of a toy, although it still retains its quirky and unique character.
It has a longer wheelbase, slightly larger dimensions and has undergone some styling changes. The trunk is a bit bigger too. From the rear, the Fortwo now looks like a real car, with a wider stance and four taillights instead of the previous six.
The goal of the car as an environmentally friendly model is achieved perfectly - it is the most economical gasoline car on the market, getting 4.7 liters per 100 km in the non-turbo version and 4.9 liters in the turbocharged version.
Carbon dioxide emissions are also low. The Fortwo starts at $19,990 for the 52kW coupe model and $22,990 for the convertible. The turbo version adds $2000 to every price tag. And although it may look unusual, it can be driven just like any other passenger car. There's enough room for two passengers, and the passenger especially gets a lot of legroom.
But you can't help feeling that it lacks that connection between driver and environment.
You tend to sit very high up in the seat instead of on it, and the dashboard feels detached rather than molded around you. But it is a cute and peculiar type of styling both inside and out.
Although 52 kW is not an impressive figure, it is only a small engine and it seems to have enough power for an urban role. The light car moves around the city with sufficient speed thanks to a five-speed automatic manual transmission. This means there is no clutch, but you still control the gears using the shifter or paddles on the steering wheel.
You can be lazy when it comes to downshifting, as the gearbox does it by itself. In the mountains, it did take time to shift into gear, and sometimes you had to take breaks to get through the climb. The semi-mechanical transmission has been improved. Upshifting doesn't make you look like a novice driver - rather, it's a smoother, smoother shift.
But if shifting just isn't for you, there's also an automatic softtouch option that adds $2000 to the price. Top speed is 145 km/h, and despite its size, you feel safe knowing it has received a four-star Euro NCAP rating and is equipped with four airbags as standard.
It's good in town and parks very easily, but ride comfort isn't the best as the suspension doesn't seem to absorb much at all.
The Fortwo gets the nod for installing stability control as a standard feature, a rarity in this segment. Power steering didn't make the list, but Smart says customer feedback suggests the steering was light enough. While this is true at higher speeds, you will actually notice its absence in parking lots or tight corners.
We also had the opportunity to quickly spin the 62kW turbocharged model. This model will be the better of the two, delivering extra performance and a more energetic drive. At just $90 more than the previous model, the Fortwo truly offers a unique and special vehicle under $20,000.
But for less, you could get a Mazda2 or Volkswagen Polo, which offer the added benefit of extra seats, a more powerful engine, and slightly better fuel economy. So to make a smart choice, you have to be a real fan.
Is Smart relevant for Australia?
