Smart fortwo - up to three times a piece
A more spacious interior, richer equipment, a suspension filtering bumps much better, and the choice of a manual gearbox are the main advantages of the third generation smart fortwo, which has just arrived in Polish car dealerships.
Smart - or rather, smart, because that's what the manufacturer says - appeared on the roads in 1998. The microscopic car impressed with its maneuverability and ability to fit into almost any gap in the parking lot. Despite its small size, smart provided sufficient protection for passengers. The secret lies in a super-rigid tridion roll cage that does not deform during a crash, allowing the impact energy to be dissipated in another vehicle's crumple zone. Body panels were made of lightweight and cheap plastic. However, the innovative smart was far from perfect. The very stiff suspension and slow automatic transmission did the trick. The shortcomings were not eliminated in the second version of the model - smart fortwo C 451.
Third time lucky! The designers of the third generation smart (C 453) figured out the problems of older models. Suspension with longer travel and softer adjustments began to effectively filter out bumps, and new bushings reduced the noise that accompanies the operation of the undercarriage components. In terms of comfort, it is comparable to cars in segment A or B. The most noticeable are short transverse flaws in the road surface. On damaged or rutted sections, the mind forces you to adjust the track - a phenomenon that is inevitable with a wheelbase of only 1873 millimeters.
The symbolic distance between the front and rear wheels is expressed in spontaneous reactions to commands given by the steering wheel. The car is also fantastically agile. Sitting in the cabin, one gets the impression that you literally turn over on the spot. The turning circle measured between the curbs is 6,95 m (!), while the result, taking into account the diameter marked by the bumpers, is 7,30 m. The rear axle drive contributed to the unsurpassed performance. The front wheels, freed from hinges and the driveshaft, can be rotated by as much as 45 degrees. There is no need to make more effort to control the electric power steering. Plus for the accuracy of the layout, minus for the limited communication skills.
Dynamic cornering is no problem. Anyone expecting rear-wheel drive to deliver extreme driving will be disappointed. Chassis settings and different tire widths (165/65 R15 and 185/60 R15 or 185/50 R16 and 205/45 R16) result in slight understeer. If the driver exceeds the speed, the non-switchable ESP comes into play and smoothly pulls the smart into the turn. The intervention of the electronics is smooth, and the engine power is not significantly limited.
The range of power units is made up of "petrols" - three-cylinder units, which we also know from the Renault Twingo, the smart's technical twin. The naturally aspirated liter engine produces 71 hp. at 6000 rpm and 91 Nm at 2850 rpm, which is more than enough to drive an 808-kilogram car. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h takes 14,4 seconds, and the maximum speed is set electronically at around 151 km / h. The 0,9 liter turbo engine accelerates the smart to 155 km/h. On paper 90 hp at 5500 rpm, 135 Nm at 2500 rpm, 10,4 seconds to “hundreds” look much better.
Faced with a choice, we would have spent PLN 3700 of the difference between 1.0 and 0.9 Turbo on a weaker version and additional equipment. The base engine is tuned to about 1200 rpm, it behaves quite well in the city, and the turbocharged unit responds more linearly to gas. Smart 1.0 is suitable for driving outside built-up areas, although it requires frequent downshifting. On highways and expressways, you have to put up with the clear sound of a running engine or the noise of air flowing around your body. It should be emphasized that the intensity and color of the sounds penetrating the cabin are more pleasant than in the previously proposed smart.
In the first two generations of smart, an automated gearbox was mandatory, in which electronically controlled drives were responsible for gear selection and single clutch operation. Sounds good in theory. The practice turned out to be much less pleasant. Intervals between gear changes were irritatingly long, and attempts to dynamically accelerate the car ended up "pulling" the heads off the headrests and hammering them back into place with each gear change. Fortunately, this is in the past. The new smart is available with a manual 5-speed transmission. A 6-speed dual-clutch transmission will soon be added to the options list.
The body of the third-generation smart car retains the characteristic proportions of its predecessors. The two-tone paint scheme was also retained - the tridion cage has a color different from the body skin. When customizing the car, you can choose from three body colors and eight body color options, including matte white and grey. Beautiful and fashionable.
The stockier appearance was the result of the increased track width and 104 mm body extension. Made of flexible material, bumpers and front fenders from parking skirmishes should act as a defensive arm. The chance to avoid contact with other vehicles or elements of the environment is considerable - the short overhangs of the body and its shape make it easier to assess the situation. On the other hand, the wheels located at the corners made it possible to design a spacious interior.
The 2,7-meter body has room for two passengers, which is comparable to the amount of space known from the front rows of cars in segment A or B. The width of the cabin, the position or angle of the windshield does not mean that we are traveling in a much smaller car . Those who suffer from claustrophobia should not look back. A few tens of centimeters behind the headrests is ... the rear window. The trunk holds 190 liters. Small items can be placed behind the seat backs or in the nets separating the passenger and luggage compartments. A practical solution is a split valve. The hinged window provides good access to the trunk in tight parking spaces. In turn, the lowered board facilitates the loading of heavier luggage, and can also act as a bench. Transportation of longer items is possible thanks to the folding backrest of the right seat. This is standard across all versions. The surcharge also does not require LED daytime running lights, cruise control with a speed limiter, or a system that compensates for changes in the route under the influence of crosswinds.
The color scheme of the interior depends on the level of equipment. The most attractive are the Passion with orange decor and Proxy with blue accents on the dashboard, doors and seats. Accessories are made of mesh fabric - known from backpacks or sports shoes. Original, effective and pleasant to the touch.
The smallest car in Daimler's portfolio has never attracted buyers with its low price. On the contrary, it was a Premium product in a mini format. The state of affairs has not changed. The intelligent price list opens with the amount of PLN 47. Add PLN 500 for the Cool & Audio package (automatic air conditioning and audio system with Bluetooth hands-free kit), PLN 4396 for the Comfort package (height-adjustable steering wheel and seat, electric mirrors) or PLN 1079 for the built-in tachometer. with the watch we will exceed the threshold of 599 zlotys. An extensive catalog of options allows you to personalize your car. In addition to the basic version, Passion (glamorous), Prime (elegant) and Proxy (fully equipped) trim levels are available.
Smart remained an offer for wealthy people who are not afraid of original solutions. Anyone who calculates in cold blood will spend 50-60 thousand zlotys on a well-equipped representative of the B-segment or a basic version of a subcompact. In everyday urban use – assuming we travel with a maximum of one passenger and don’t regularly carry packages from a DIY store – the smart is just as good. It has a spacious and well equipped interior. The new suspension finally started picking up bumps. Parking is the main discipline of smart cars - even cars with the best parking assistants can't match it in this category.
