Smart Fortwo Coupe and Cabrio 2008 Review

What we liked
>> Better drivetrain
>> Safer, more solid
>> Interior more spacious and mature

Not so much
>> Hard ride
>> Still bobs about
>> (Lack of decent) Brakes!

Overall rating: 3.0/5.0
Engine/Drivetrain/Chassis: 3.0/5.0
Price, Packaging and Practicality: 2.5/5.0
Safety: 3.0/5.0
Behind the wheel: 3.0/5.0
X-factor: 4.0/5.0

About our ratings

The previous Smart Fortwo earned 770,000 sales across the 30-plus countries where it is offered. Significantly, the USA has recently joined the list and the company expects to turnover 30,000 Fortwo models in that market alone this year.

Mercedes-Benz Australia President and CEO Wolfgang Schrempp told the Carsales Network that combined with the parent company's willingness to meet 'whole of brand' industry emissions standards by 2012, admission to the US helped commit Mercedes-Benz to furthering Smart's cause.

M-B expects the Smart brand to finally turn a profit with its new-found market-might in the States. One wonders how Smart would've fared without Benz's patience in the meantime but even that couldn't save the Roadster or ForFour models.

Here, the brand has sold less than 600 Fortwos a year, although in his "dreams", Schrempp would like to see "about 1000" sales in Australia every year of the new model.

Unlike the four-seater ForFour and tiny tearaway Roadster models, the ForTwo is the original Smart idea -- planet-saving transport for two. That well-meaning sentiment deserves a second chance, argues Schrempp.

The latest ForTwo marks a change for the Smart brand which the local Benz boss admits made some mistakes "overestimating customers" with the Forfour hatchback and Roadster models of the original lineup.

"This is a new beginning," he says. "When we launched the ForFour we said it's a real Smart but the concept of Smart is the ForTwo. That was the idea: [transport] for two people and some luggage, with low fuel consumption."

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
Available in coupe or cabrio body styles, the Fortwo starts at $19,990 for the non-turbo hard-top model or $22,990 for the open-top. Add $2000 for the turbocharged versions.

The new Fortwo is offered in Australia at the 'Pulse' specification level with an option package including leather and stereo upgrades for an additional $2000. In other markets 'Pure" and 'Passion' trim levels are offered.

In standard form the Fortwo comes with cloth trim, polycarbonate panoramic sunroof, 15-inch six-spoke alloys, sports steering wheel with gearshift buttons, foglights and electric windows. The new Fortwo also features a dash-mounted tacho and lockable glovebox.

The cabrio's electric sliding cloth roof can be opened or closed while in motion, at any speed. Like the previous model the roof bars can be removed and stowed in a rear compartment, but the new Fortwo cabrio's roof locks into its furthermost place automatically -- without requiring the driver to get out and do it manually.

Power-assisted steering and cruise control are optional extras. Hill start assist comes standard.

MECHANICAL
The Fortwo is powered by a new rear-mounted three-cylinder 1.0-litre (999cc) petrol engine, co-developed with Mitsubishi. It is positioned transversally ahead of the rear axle; slanted at a 45-degree angle towards the rear.

The Euro IV-compliant unit is available either naturally-aspirated or turbocharged, producing 52kW and 62kW respectively.

Both versions come with a new five-speed automated manual (clutchless) transmission, replacing the clumsy, confused six-speed version in the previous model. The Getrag unit can be ordered with a 'Softouch' auto function, otherwise it can be operated with a centre gearshift or (standard-fit) steering wheel-mounted shift buttons.

Smart says the Fortwo's transmission shift delays have been reduced by more than 50 per cent compared to the previous model. In both manual and automatic mode the five-speed has a kickdown function to shift down two gears at once, while incorrect gear selection and overrevving are overruled by the unit's electronics system.

The Fortwo's top speed is now 145km/h -- up 10km/h on the previous model.

Aside from a Brabus model under consideration for Australia later this year (or in early 2009), of three power outputs available for the petrol engine overseas, we get the two largest. However, there is still no turbodiesel option, as Smart does not produce a diesel model for right-hand drive markets.

The Fortwo's green credentials have changed slightly, however; both the non-turbo and turbo options sneak under 5.0L/100km for ADR 81/01 fuel consumption ratings.

The naturally-aspirated engine uses 4.7L/100km while the turbo engine consumes 4.9L/100km. In coupe guise the non-turbo unit's CO2 output is down 1g to 112g/km but all other Fortwo models are rated at 116g/km.

Smart says the Fortwo's suspension underwent extensive changes to improve handling. The front MacPherson strut set-up now bears the front anti-roll bar (beforehand hinged to the wishbone) while the De Dion rear suspension has been retained for the new Fortwo but the central mount is now higher. The springs have also been moved outward for better support against roll.

The new Fortwo retains the previous model's front disc, rear drum brake set-up.

The Fortwo's rack-and-pinion steering has almost 10 per cent more direct response, according to Smart, with the transmission ratio now 22:1. The company claims its 8.75m turning circle is class-leading, needing just 3.5 turns lock-to-lock.

The optional EPS (electric power steering) reduces the transmission ratio to 21:1 and varies boost power according to vehicle speed, steering angle and force applied to the steering wheel.

PACKAGING
The latest Fortwo has been significantly reworked, in part due to US crashworthiness and European pedestrian safety standards. It is now 195mm longer, including 72mm at the front alone, but city-dwellers will be pleased to know two Fortwos can still be parked end-to-end in a usual carparking space.

Elsewhere, the Fortwo's wheelbase has increased by 55mm, the front track width by 7mm, and the rear track width by 31mm in an attempt to reduce pitching and rolling movements.

Rear cargo room has increased by 70 litres to offer 220 litres space and the new model retains the handy two-section tailgate, but it can now be opened remotely. The cabrio model's rear window is now made of glass (and heated) and located higher to increase loading volume when the roof is opened.

The latest Fortwo also retains the 'elastic' plastic bodypanels introduced by the outgoing model which yield to nudge-parking incidents, or can be "inexpensively" replaced after closer scrapes.

While the dash has been remodelled to be less curvaceous and comply to US standards, the new model's version is again cloth-covered with the same material as the first Fortwo. The effect is quirky but attractive, and curbs sunglare in the cabin.

Oddities like plastic bodypanels and a dressed-up dash are likely hits with urban groovers and we're glad they've made a comeback. It's for USPs like these that Smart believes the Fortwo has achieved cult status but as far as fads go, strangely iPod compatibility comes only with the sound system upgrade as part of a $2000 option pack.

On the green side, the Fortwo is built at "smartville" in Hambuch, France where production implements enviro-friendly practises including powdercoating for the car's safety cell (see below), and the use of raw, recycled and recyclable materials, and water-soluble paint where possible.

SAFETY
Australian-delivered Fortwos now come standard with front and side head/thorax airbags. Standard equipment also includes anti-lock braking with brakeforce distribution and assist feature, plus stability control.

Smart's trademark Tridion safety cell has been uprated and the company says the car's side protection has been enhanced with the inclusion of a steel door structure, replacing the outgoing model's aluminium version which failed US requirements. The restructured doors are around 2.5kg heavier than those used for the previous model.

EuroNCAP rated the left-hand drive 2008 Fortwo with four stars for adult occupant protection, and two (of a possible four) for pedestrian safety. ENCAP argues the Fortwo's two-seater arrangement precludes it from child protection testing. We'd suggest otherwise...

ANCAP currently publishes ENCAP's rating, until it tests the right-hand drive Fortwo model for Australia, which will come equipped with side airbags (as opposed to the front airbags-only LHD version tested by ENCAP). The Australian-delivered model will be eligible for a maximum 'bonus' of five points if it is pole tested.

COMPETITORS
There's nothing else on the road like the Fortwo so Smart really has the 'microcar' game to itself -- at least until the Toyota iQ 3.5-seater is confirmed for local sales.

On green car credentials all Fortwos (including the turbocharged model) rate just behind the Toyota Prius with 4.5 stars (versus Prius' 5). The Prius can run on 91RON, whereas the Fortwo wants 95RON unleaded.

ON THE ROAD
Although the new model resembles the stocky original, improvements to the decade-long Fortwo formula are most noticeable in the cabin and behind the wheel.

The interior benefits from the reworked dash, which appears more mainstream now that it's less curvy, but adds space and kneeroom. Headroom (and forward vision) has been enhanced with the use of thinner A-pillars while the 'tallboy' dimensions and upright seating arrangement of the Fortwo allows easy ingress and egress. This applies even for the cabrio model.

The Fortwo is more driveable, with quick steering and agile handling. None of the cars at the launch were fitted with power steering but turn-in even on the standard models is sharp making the tiny car a lot of fun to punt around tight corners... Perfect for the city, really.

The 1.0-litre engine is a much better fit than the 0.7-litre option served up in the old model, and being quite torquey it offers the verve required for a dash in and out of traffic.

The frugal engine shows good response but the automated manual takes a while to wind it all up. The Softouch auto mode makes gearchanges smoother but is far from ideal. Still, we much prefer the clever if quirky five-speed transmission to the outgoing model's six-speed semi-automatic.

Sydney's patchy roads throughout the launch drive route exposed the Fortwo's hard, and at times jolting, ride. The new model also bobs about fore and aft, like the predecessor. However, both traits are due to the Fortwo's super-small size rather than any failure in the rework -- it simply has nowhere to hide the effects of every twist and turn like a sedan or even small hatchback with rear quarters.

If there's a chink in the ForTwo's amour it's its brakes. Frankly, in this day and age they are not good enough. Short on feel and power, they are the most disappointing aspect of the car. Even average stops require a hefty stomp and there's little if any feel via which to modulate the pedal until you're well into your stop.

On some levels the Smart Fortwo should be unquestionably in vogue, and in cities 'more suited' like crowded Milan or Paris, it is. Locally, there are not as many geographical challenges to larger cars. There's still plenty of room for conventional small cars Down Under. Such cars are also better buying...

So the main motivation to go Smart is emotional. We're fans of the Smart concept and fond of the ForTwo but we'd like a more compliant ride and better brakes for our money... For this market at least, the car is still a work-in-progress...

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