It may be hard to fathom, especially for those who saw me gain a few kilos over the past couple of weeks, but I did spend seven days behind the wheel of a smart fortwo, the famous German microcar. And it wasn't even a challenge despite what badmouthers might tell you.
True, the recent redesign of the smart didn't include a physical expansion. In fact, it measured half the length of the family sedan in my driveway. However, inside, this little coupe is surprisingly spacious, offering even more room than such rivals as the Toyota Yaris.
Lively interior
At first glance, my tester had no problem standing out from the crowd despite its tiny size. Black and white on the outside, it proudly sported a bright orange trim on the inside (which could easily be seen from several meters away, actually). Talk about an odd contrast! Yet, I have to admit that it's a perfect match given how distinctively styled the smart is. Indeed, once the initial "shock" is gone, the car's unorthodox styling quickly grows on you.
Having said that, the modern-looking dashboard seems to have lost a bit of its classic appeal. The curvy lines in the previous model have made way for a flat, uninspiring design -- much like what competitors are displaying. Fortunately, the colored fabric on top of the dashboard is a welcome sight; while it creates some distracting glares in the windshield, this attractive trim piece positively adds flair to the interior.
The controls prove simple and user-friendly. Plus, there aren't too many of them due to the limited amount of features inside the smart. Forget about a navigation or multimedia system. The center stack merely consists of a radio volume knob, five buttons for presetting radio stations and a climate control knob with dual ventilation ducts.
Frugal engine
Of course, the recipe used for the powertrain is justas simple. Once again, the engine is mounted in the back, just belowthe trunk. However, instead of offering a diesel, Mercedes-Benz saw fitto make a gas-powered, 1.0-liter 3-cylinder mill standard in Canada.
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| At first glance, my tester had no problem standing out from the crowd despite its tiny size. |
True, the recent redesign of the smart didn't include a physical expansion. In fact, it measured half the length of the family sedan in my driveway. However, inside, this little coupe is surprisingly spacious, offering even more room than such rivals as the Toyota Yaris.
Lively interior
At first glance, my tester had no problem standing out from the crowd despite its tiny size. Black and white on the outside, it proudly sported a bright orange trim on the inside (which could easily be seen from several meters away, actually). Talk about an odd contrast! Yet, I have to admit that it's a perfect match given how distinctively styled the smart is. Indeed, once the initial "shock" is gone, the car's unorthodox styling quickly grows on you.
Having said that, the modern-looking dashboard seems to have lost a bit of its classic appeal. The curvy lines in the previous model have made way for a flat, uninspiring design -- much like what competitors are displaying. Fortunately, the colored fabric on top of the dashboard is a welcome sight; while it creates some distracting glares in the windshield, this attractive trim piece positively adds flair to the interior.
The controls prove simple and user-friendly. Plus, there aren't too many of them due to the limited amount of features inside the smart. Forget about a navigation or multimedia system. The center stack merely consists of a radio volume knob, five buttons for presetting radio stations and a climate control knob with dual ventilation ducts.
Frugal engine
Of course, the recipe used for the powertrain is justas simple. Once again, the engine is mounted in the back, just belowthe trunk. However, instead of offering a diesel, Mercedes-Benz saw fitto make a gas-powered, 1.0-liter 3-cylinder mill standard in Canada.
 |
| The modern-looking dashboard seems to have lost a bit of its classic appeal. |