Smart Fortwo
The first generation Smart Fortwo was introduced nine years ago. It was a nicely shaped small two-seater that you can (rarely in our country) see every day in a roadside parking lot, folded longitudinally or laterally, and equipped with motorcycles that make motorcyclists laugh. However, due to its uniqueness and, above all, ease of use in urban environments, it has become a symbol of the urban pulse that never dies in metropolitan areas. Rule: the larger the crowd, the smarter. That's why we drove through the new one in Madrid, which should be the third largest city in Europe.
However, they decided that Smart will also become more serious, larger and more useful in cities, and not just in urban centers, which, by the way, are increasingly closed to traffic. A bold decision that could also mean a decrease in sales, because in addition to its attractive shape, the main trump card of this two-seater was external modesty. It is 19 centimeters longer, mainly due to regulations that provide greater pedestrian safety (EU) and better rear-end collisions (US), just 5 millimeters wider and 43 millimeters longer wheelbase. This is especially noticeable in the cabin, because there is more room (legroom) for a completely flat dashboard (US safety regulations), and an interesting solution is that the passenger seat is pushed back 55 centimeters than the driver's.
The reason, of course, is obvious: if you put two honest grandfathers in this car, there will be enough legroom, and in the shoulder area, their outer arms will have to hang out of the car. So the space is surprisingly large, but if you want even more air, you might want to consider a roof window (extra cost) or even a convertible. Speaking of convertible, it can be set fully electrically, regardless of the speed at which we are driving when we press the ventilation button. Of course, real cats will laugh now, but let me tell you that the top speed on most versions of the new Smart now reaches 145 kilometers per hour, so I must warn you that you can work at full power. the track (unlike the old model, which he smelled ten miles an hour less!) is already pretty broken, so the cops can already punish you. If, of course, they get caught. ...
A longer wheelbase not only means more space, but also a better position on the road. The chassis geometry has been re-calculated and redesigned, ESP (along with ABS of course) is standard on all versions, so the ride is more enjoyable, more predictable. Getrag robotic gearbox (which can be controlled in sequential shift mode, i.e. forward for a higher gear and reverse for a lower gear, or press a button on the gear lever and let the transmission work with the electronics, and in more equipped versions you can also use steering wheel ears) sharper engines lost one gear, so it now only has five.
But that's exactly why the new Smart two-seater is 50 percent faster when shifting and, above all, it allows you to skip gears, making driving even more dynamic. Gasoline engines gain on average ten percent more power, while turbodiesels gain 15 percent more! All three, which smell of unleaded gasoline, have a volume of a liter, the difference is only in power. Base power develops 45 kilowatts (61 hp), followed by 52 kilowatts (71 hp) and 62 kilowatts (84 hp).
If we say that the final speed is the same for all three (145 kilometers per hour), there will be a big difference in starting from one traffic light to the next (see technical data). The most economical is, of course, the 800 cubic foot turbodiesel, which delivers 33 kilowatts (45 hp) and an extremely modest average fuel consumption per 100 kilometers. ... You will have three trim levels available: Pure, Pulse and Passion, where two airbags, ESP, ABS and Brake Assist will always be standard. But if you're a real dude, the Geneva Motor Show is where the Smart Fortwo gets even more powerful. This is where Brabus will sweat in the light!
But regardless of the muscle of the engine, the new Smart is much more pleasant to drive on main roads and motorways, and perhaps from now on some parking holes will be inaccessible due to extra centimeters! Luckily, our stores are moving from city centers to malls as there is plenty of room for cans, but with a 70-litre increase in luggage space, there will be more shopping. Pour in 220 liters? "Kid" for young ladies for whom "shopping" is a way of life! So another big plus for Smart!
Alyosha Mrak, photo: Tovarna
