When do we get the rest of them?
The Webster dictionary defines character as: "one of the attributes or features that make up and distinguish an individual". I propose that the next version of the dictionary should include a blurb on the smart in its definition of character. My reasoning is quite simple: nothing else is or looks like a smart.
The world is looking for solutions to reduce pollution and fuel consumption. The micro car segment is quite popular in Europe but not so much in North America. Slowly but surely though they are making their way here. The smart cars have been available in Canada for a few months and they will only be available in the United States towards the end of 2006.
The 2005 smart fortwo is part of the category of environmentally friendly vehicles that are finally breaking though our North American single-mindedness. Long ago Europe began tackling the issue of pollution and fuel consumption. They concentrated on both micro-cars and diesel technology. The smart car's development began about 10 years ago between Swiss watchmaker Swatch and Mercedes-Benz. The first smart cars were launched in the Old World in 1998 and Mercedes then became the sole owner of the make. The names of the smart line-up are self-explanatory: In cabrio or coupe versions, fortwo means 2 doors and 2 seater. Right now, this is the only model offered to us.
T
here are a few other versions available in Europe at the moment: the forfour (a 4 door version for 4 people) and the Roadster (also a 2 door 2 seater but with a slightly extended wheelbase). There is also the formore, a very compact SUV, which was to be unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show but MCC has since changed their mind. What is very specific about these cars is that they all share the same Tridion safety cell, which is the car's chassis and backbone. They are built in France.
The tester is a fortwo cabrio Pulse that retails for $23,475. The price range for both the Coupe and the Cabrio, is between $16,500 to well over $25,000 with options and accessories.
Exterior styling
When you see the car on the road and think to yourself that it looks small... well, it really is. The fortwo is only 2.5 meters long or a little over 8 feet from nose to tail. This means that it has great parking potential and can be squeezed into almost any vacant spot. The first words out of just about everybody's mouth when they see the car is that it looks cute. Its
small proportions are almost comical. Take for instance the doors; they represent about 75% of the total length of the car. There are no front and rear overhangs and the fortwo is almost as wide as it is tall. I find it difficult to pertinently evaluate the exterior styling, as it cannot be compared to anything else except maybe the Mini. One thing that is certain though, is that it will make heads turn.
The plastic body panels on the smart are replaceable. This means that, in a few years when silver is no longer a popular colour, a quick trip to the dealer to replace the panels will make the car look pristine all over again. You will be able to replace them with whatever colour your heart desires (if it is available of course). To refill the washer fluid and to check the brake fluid level, a small panel below the wipers on the passenger side needs to be removed. If you do not know it is there, there are no exterior indicators to inform you about its existence.
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The world is looking for solutions to reduce pollution and fuel consumption. The micro car segment is quite popular in Europe but not so much in North America. Slowly but surely though they are making their way here. The smart cars have been available in Canada for a few months and they will only be available in the United States towards the end of 2006.
The 2005 smart fortwo is part of the category of environmentally friendly vehicles that are finally breaking though our North American single-mindedness. Long ago Europe began tackling the issue of pollution and fuel consumption. They concentrated on both micro-cars and diesel technology. The smart car's development began about 10 years ago between Swiss watchmaker Swatch and Mercedes-Benz. The first smart cars were launched in the Old World in 1998 and Mercedes then became the sole owner of the make. The names of the smart line-up are self-explanatory: In cabrio or coupe versions, fortwo means 2 doors and 2 seater. Right now, this is the only model offered to us.
T
here are a few other versions available in Europe at the moment: the forfour (a 4 door version for 4 people) and the Roadster (also a 2 door 2 seater but with a slightly extended wheelbase). There is also the formore, a very compact SUV, which was to be unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show but MCC has since changed their mind. What is very specific about these cars is that they all share the same Tridion safety cell, which is the car's chassis and backbone. They are built in France.The tester is a fortwo cabrio Pulse that retails for $23,475. The price range for both the Coupe and the Cabrio, is between $16,500 to well over $25,000 with options and accessories.
Exterior styling
When you see the car on the road and think to yourself that it looks small... well, it really is. The fortwo is only 2.5 meters long or a little over 8 feet from nose to tail. This means that it has great parking potential and can be squeezed into almost any vacant spot. The first words out of just about everybody's mouth when they see the car is that it looks cute. Its
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The plastic body panels on the smart are replaceable. This means that, in a few years when silver is no longer a popular colour, a quick trip to the dealer to replace the panels will make the car look pristine all over again. You will be able to replace them with whatever colour your heart desires (if it is available of course). To refill the washer fluid and to check the brake fluid level, a small panel below the wipers on the passenger side needs to be removed. If you do not know it is there, there are no exterior indicators to inform you about its existence.