Despite its diminutive size, the smart coupe and cabrio deliver Mercedes-like standard safety features, starting with ESP (electronic stability program), Brake Assist and ABS. In its report the automaker added that the car "performed brilliantly in all of its safety tests."
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| Not built for tackling mountain roads at high speeds, the fortwo is at home zipping around busy downtown streets. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz Canada) |
And how does it fare in dynamic performance tests? I drove an early example many years ago, after literally tracking down a Hungarian national who was attending school in Vancouver and had imported his sprite little car on a temporary visa. While cute as a button, and not much larger, it wasn't exactly a stellar performer. Expectedly the tiny engine could keep up with traffic but only just, which was probably a good thing as it felt a little top heavy in the corners. Still, it would make a fine commuter for the right target consumer.
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| The coupe and cabrio are powered by a 40-hp inline 800-cc 3-cylinder diesel engine. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz Canada) |
Both coupe and cabrio models feature an inline 800-cc 3-cylinder diesel engine producing 40 horsepower and 74 lb-ft of torque. They're fine for highway driving as they can achieve a top speed of 120 km/h (75 mph) while still managing to consume a thrifty 3.5 liters of diesel fuel per 100 km (67 mpg). Both cars measure only 2.5 meters (8.2 feet), which as I remember made parking a breeze.
Once again that consumer will have to be willing to pay for the little gaffer though. While smart models offer high-end standard features, such as electronic stability control and antilock brakes, and their price points are low for a Mercedes-Benz dealership, an estimated $16,000 is quite high for the subcompact segment. Cars in the price range now include the award-winning Mazda3, and just about every other entry-level compact - a much larger and more performance oriented segment than smart is targeting. With that in mind, Toyota, Hyundai and Kia offer cars closer to the smart's size that also deliver better performance with pricing starting about $3,000 to almost $4,000 less - albeit with fewer standard features and slightly less fuel efficiency.
