Test Car Specifications
Model tested: Smart Fortwo Passion 90hp
Pricing: starts at £11,125 on-the-road
Engine: 898cc turbocharged three-cylinder petrol
Transmission: rear-wheel drive, five-speed manual
Body style: two-door, two-seat city car
CO2 emissions: 97g/km (Band A, £0 per year)
Combined fuel economy: 67.3mpg
Top speed: 96mph
0-62mph: 10.4 seconds
Power: 90hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 135Nm at 2,500rpm
What's this?
An all-new Smart Fortwo city car. The concept is unchanged, so there are two long doors to access a two-seat cabin as before. It feels of better quality than its predecessor's though doesn't deliver that at the expense of an interesting design. Both the upgraded touchscreen system we tested and the standard infotainment interface are shared with the Renault Twingo, but they're mounted on a curvaceous 'pod' in the Fortwo, putting them within easy reach - and they look good. Oddments storage is still at a premium, with small door pockets and a tiny glovebox, though the hidden drawer in the centre console is a neat touch. The Fortwo is 6mm longer in the wheelbase than before and, more significantly, 100mm wider. Both those dimensions benefit interior space, while headroom is generous as before. The boot is tiny, though at least the passenger seat folds flat to allow the carrying of longer items.
Under the boot floor is the new three-cylinder engine, available in 71hp and 90hp turbo guises. A five-speed manual gearbox is standard (and expected to account for most sales in the UK), while a dual-clutch automatic will become available in Q2 of 2015 - for £995. Both engines are offered with all four trim levels - Passion, Prime, Proxy and Edition #1. Prices for the 71hp model start at £11,125 for the Fortwo Passion and rise to £13,225 for the high-spec Edition #1. The step up to 90hp costs £595 in all specifications.
Speaking of which, the Fortwo is generously equipped. Even the entry-level Passion version comes with climate control, a multifunction leather steering wheel, 15-inch alloys, cruise control and an audio system that interfaces with smartphones. On the safety side, ESP stability control, Crosswind Assist, Hill Start Assist and five airbags are fitted to all Fortwos. Smart offers Premium and Premium Plus packages to really spec the car up and there's a new JBL sound system available with a natty removable sub-woofer in the boot. There are 40 different colour combinations for the exterior and three cabin themes to choose from as well.
The new Smart Fortwo arrives in the UK in February 2015.
How does it drive?
The new car is a revelation and not just because the rubbish semi-automatic transmission of old is gone by the wayside. We tried the standard five-speed manual (which isn't the slickest of units, but is fine) and a 'pre-production' example of the Fortwo equipped with the new dual-clutch option. The latter is smooth and perfectly suited to relaxed life in the city. It allows the driver take control via the lever if needs be and has two different modes of operation - Economy and Standard. The stop-start system was slow to respond in this car, but we suspect that's partly why it was emphasised that it wasn't quite production ready.
Back in the manual Fortwo things were even better. The stop-start system worked quickly as expected, though the new engine is so much more refined than the old one that you'll not be so quick to turn it off, even when idling. This newfound quietness and smoothness is welcome and it's the case even at motorway speeds, where the new Fortwo feels far more at ease than its predecessor ever did. The increased track no doubt helps a lot, but no longer does the Smart feel out of its depth sharing road space with HGVs. The rear suspension occasionally drops hard into a sharp urban pothole, but overall it's well-judged and the car feels stable at speed, yet agile around town. Adding to that sensation is an incredibly tight turning circle of just 6.95 metres. Parking has never been so easy.
Performance in the 90hp model is acceptable rather than scintillating and we did find it difficult to smoothly modulate the throttle between gears in fast-moving Barcelona traffic. The non-turbo 71hp engine has a more linear delivery and only runs out of breath if you really extend it.
Verdict
The Smart Fortwo has grown up without losing sight of its original goals. It's tangibly of better quality, more refined and far better to drive than before. The more distinctive styling may not appeal to all, but nobody will argue with the generous level of equipment that comes as standard. As ever it's a car for a life in town, but now it's much more capable when taken beyond the city limits.
Exterior Design
Interior Ambience
Passenger Space
Luggage Space
Safety
Comfort
Driving Dynamics
Powertrain
