The only thing I didn't like about the diesel was the smell at startup. Being that the version in my care featured a convertible
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| A click of a console mounted button pulls the top completely back, no manhandling required. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, Canadian Auto Press) |
top, which was almost always open unless testing for wind noise, exhaust fumes would seep up and over the roof in a matter of seconds of cranking over the engine. Like any other vehicle the tailpipe sticks out the backside of the car, but in the case of the fortwo its rear end is only a matter of a couple of feet behind your head, hence the formidable fumes. That "tritop" convertible top, by the way, is a slick piece of automotive engineering. All that is needed is to press a console mounted button and the mechanisms do the rest. Yes, a fully retractable convertible with no manhandling required. No latches to unlock, twist and pull down on, and no dreaded tonneau cover to wrestle into place once retracted. The front half of the cloth roof is more akin to a large sunroof than a conventional convertible top, sliding rearward partially or all the way. Once at its rearmost position, it can be made to fall off of its track and drop down to meet up with the uppermost portion of the tailgate. You can either leave it there or get out manually shoving it down, clicking it into place. For total open-top sunshine, just remove the roof bars. They stow away in a tailgate cubby. To release it and put the top back up, all that is needed is a simple
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| The plastics quality is extremely good for the subcompact class, the fit and finish also excellent, and the interplanetary interior design way above average. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, Canadian Auto Press) |
click of the same remote that opens the doors, and then a manual tug upwards to pop it back into its upright position. Once back in the car, press on the console mounted switch again and reverse the process. I suppose the only negative is the need to get out and click the roof back into place before closing, not as easy as a conventional convertible if it starts to rain while driving. Balancing that negative, however, is the precise way the roof mechanism clicks into place when going about its business. Actually, that precision can be seen and felt throughout the car inside and out. The plastics quality is extremely good for the subcompact class, the fit and finish also excellent, and the interplanetary interior design way above average. I loved the arcing instrument binnacle and the separate freestanding pods that made up the tachometer, analog clock and air vents - very '60s Woody Allen "Sleeper" sci-fi.
