SMART BOMB
What started as the experimental only child of Mercedes-Benz five years ago has become a family. The groundbreaking ‘parkany- way-round’ two-seater Smart City Coupe (re-named Fortwo), now has siblings.
There’s the sunny Cabriolet, the genuinely racy Roadster and with the fourseat Forfour launching this September and Smart’s first ever four-seater is ideal for dads who don’t want to be dull, says Guy Bird the micro-4x4 Formore in the US by 2006, it’s getting to be a full house. With the clout of parent company DaimlerChrysler behind it, Smart’s a small car brand thinking big.
But if the marque used to be about technically advanced tiny cars, why is it bringing out a four-seater? Smart says it’s because its customers wanted more options – to paraphrase one of its top execs, “the best and worst selling point of the Fortwo is its two seats”. The Forfour obviously redresses that and adds functionality: the rear seats move back and forth, fold and tumble and with some extra cushions transform into a ‘lounge’ (sort of).
Smart reckons you might feel comfortable enough to have a family picnic in it. Either way, there’s decent supermini-sized room front and back with plenty of luggage space – 910 litres at its maximum.
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This review from FQ MAGAZINE September 2004 >> more
On the safety side, it has three-point belts on all seats, four airbags, anti-lock brakes and various traction and stability controls - excellent for such a small car and in keeping with its ‘cut above’ mini-Merc stance. Despite sharing 60 per cent of its innards with the new Mitsubishi Colt (the car is a joint venture) it manages to cut a unique dash on the road from both the Colt and any other supermini. Not bad for arange that is set to start from £9,000.
Smart reckons the 1.1-litre engine variant will sell the most, and it’s perky enough in most conditions, only becoming a little noisy at modest motorway speeds. It copes with long distance driving comfortably enough.
With over 50mpg promised and super-low group five insurance, it shouldn’t
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cost too much to run either. Driving is fun (if not quite as much fun as the Fiesta and Mini) but you can always opt for bigger engines and go-faster versions tuned by German specialists Brabus (NB Stirling Moss used to own a Brabus City Coupe). The awkward auto/sequential shift gearbox on the Fortwo has been revised – but it’s still hard to get a smooth change, so the better news is that there is now a conventional manual ‘box too.
Overall, the Forfour is not the revolution the City Coupe was, but it’s a welcome alternative to the legions of all-too similar Clio and Corsas. Smart drivers who’ve become dads will love its good value, standout looks and ‘classless’ pedigree.Kids will love it too – it’s rounded, funlooking and multicoloured after all – justlike their toys.
Smart Forfour 1.1 Pulse 5-door
Price: £8,995
Engine: 75bhp 1.1-litre
Top Speed: 103mph
0-60: 13.4sec
Economy: 51.4mpg
>> Read More
FQ Magazine available now thoughout the country in all good independent newsagents including Tesco, WHSmith and Sainsbury's for just £3.25!
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