The convertible top also acts as a sunroof, but if you want the full-fledged open-air experience, you must get out and unfasten the roof rails; at least they can be conveniently stowed inside the hatch.
Gasoline replaces diesel
The old 0.9-liter inline-3 that equipped the previous-generation smart has been replaced by a 1.0-liter, 4-valve-per-cylinder 3-banger that develops 70 horses, which is almost double than in the old model. The sequential transmission with automatic function now has 5 gears instead of 6.
Now, with so much more firepower, you'd expect the 2008 fortwo to be much quicker than the old one, right? Wrong. The new model's performance goes from 'merely adequate' to 'rather tolerable'. Huh?
It's simply because the old diesel engine produced more torque and peaked much sooner. So why change the engine, if isn't as frugal as before? Well, the smart has been Americanized. That's right, since it's now sold in the U.S., it needed a gas engine to improve its chances of succeeding across the border. The good news is that it's more relaxed on the highway, and the rocking-horse sensation during gear changes is reduced (a little).
My fuel consumption average is 7.2 L/100 km, which is more than I expected. And the engine takes premium unleaded.
Improved road manners
The previous smart, with its short wheelbase and small wheels, had a pretty rough ride. The new car is more comfortable on the road, and the steering ratio is quicker, which makes it more entertaining to drive. The noise level is also lower inside the cockpit.
Okay, it's still a little crude compared to a conventional subcompact, but that's one of the sacrifices you'll have to make in order to look trendy.
 |
| The convertible top also acts as a sunroof. |
Gasoline replaces diesel
The old 0.9-liter inline-3 that equipped the previous-generation smart has been replaced by a 1.0-liter, 4-valve-per-cylinder 3-banger that develops 70 horses, which is almost double than in the old model. The sequential transmission with automatic function now has 5 gears instead of 6.
Now, with so much more firepower, you'd expect the 2008 fortwo to be much quicker than the old one, right? Wrong. The new model's performance goes from 'merely adequate' to 'rather tolerable'. Huh?
It's simply because the old diesel engine produced more torque and peaked much sooner. So why change the engine, if isn't as frugal as before? Well, the smart has been Americanized. That's right, since it's now sold in the U.S., it needed a gas engine to improve its chances of succeeding across the border. The good news is that it's more relaxed on the highway, and the rocking-horse sensation during gear changes is reduced (a little).
My fuel consumption average is 7.2 L/100 km, which is more than I expected. And the engine takes premium unleaded.
Improved road manners
The previous smart, with its short wheelbase and small wheels, had a pretty rough ride. The new car is more comfortable on the road, and the steering ratio is quicker, which makes it more entertaining to drive. The noise level is also lower inside the cockpit.
Okay, it's still a little crude compared to a conventional subcompact, but that's one of the sacrifices you'll have to make in order to look trendy.
 |
| The new car is more comfortable on the road, and the steering ratio is quicker. |