Improved handling
While the smart is supremely nimble, it's not supremely powerful. The gasoline engine will again favor fuel economy despite its 15 percent higher output (now at 72 horsepower). Fans of the diesel variant will have to be patient because the company doesn't plan to offer it in North America at first.
The most pleasant modification, however, will undoubtedly be the addition of a new twin-clutch gearbox which promises to eliminate all the jolts of the old sequential transmission. I can hear the enthusiasts shout: Alleluia!
The suspension and steering were also revised. In fact, the latter will be optionally available with an electromechanical setup. Thusly equipped, the smart boasts a bike-like turning circle of 8.75 m and continues to be as nimble as a small kart.
Revisited cockpit
The problem with the new generation is that the cockpit received a makeover, which is not necessarily a good thing. The skimpy dashboard of the original model gave the car a modern and distinct look. The new design rules with regards to safety have forced engineers to alter the layout, making the center console more conventional in accordance with industry standards.
That's a shame because it's the only place where the new smart had to sell its soul.
photo:Marc Bouchard, DaimlerChrysler
While the smart is supremely nimble, it's not supremely powerful. The gasoline engine will again favor fuel economy despite its 15 percent higher output (now at 72 horsepower). Fans of the diesel variant will have to be patient because the company doesn't plan to offer it in North America at first.
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| Hartmut Sinkwitz, Chief designer of the second-generation smart. |
The most pleasant modification, however, will undoubtedly be the addition of a new twin-clutch gearbox which promises to eliminate all the jolts of the old sequential transmission. I can hear the enthusiasts shout: Alleluia!
The suspension and steering were also revised. In fact, the latter will be optionally available with an electromechanical setup. Thusly equipped, the smart boasts a bike-like turning circle of 8.75 m and continues to be as nimble as a small kart.
Revisited cockpit
The problem with the new generation is that the cockpit received a makeover, which is not necessarily a good thing. The skimpy dashboard of the original model gave the car a modern and distinct look. The new design rules with regards to safety have forced engineers to alter the layout, making the center console more conventional in accordance with industry standards.
That's a shame because it's the only place where the new smart had to sell its soul.
 |
photo:Marc Bouchard, DaimlerChrysler
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