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Smart ForTwo CDI

Smart's iconic ForTwo city car gets a revamp inside and out. Can the improvements keep it at the front of the pack?

Smart ForTwo CDI

Text: Conor Mills / Photos: Otis Clay

July 2010

The Smart ForTwo has also been given a green makeover – and it goes far beyond the paintwork. The second-generation city car has been on sale since 2006, and this facelift brings a host of exterior and interior modifications, as well as an improved engine line-up. Can it outwit the competition?

There’s now a wider range of colours, including the matt light-green finish of our car. Plus, the newcomer comes with 15-inch alloy wheels as standard. LED daytime running lights feature on the options list. Inside, the revised interior has a fabric-covered dashboard, the dials have been revamped and standard kit in the entry-level Pulse includes built-in sat-nav, Bluetooth and USB/iPod connectivity.

Video: watch CarBuyer's video review of the Smart ForTwo

 

Smart expects the higher-spec Passion to be the best-selling trim, and the limited-edition Lightshine coupé we drove is based on this – but adds even more equipment as standard. Extras include a panoramic sunroof, plush velour floor mats and a touchscreen display with CD/DVD/SD compatibility.

The tiny three-cylinder 800cc cdi diesel has been tweaked for even stronger efficiency. CO2 emissions have tumbled to 86g/km and it claims 86mpg combined – which is the best economy figure of any car on sale today. Performance from the tiny engine is reasonable, too, with 130Nm of torque and 54bhp on tap. The enthusiastic unit is ideal for the stop-start nature of inner-city traffic.

But the ForTwo can’t match larger rivals such as the Toyota iQ for practicality, and it’s not as poised on the road, especially through corners. The ride is firm in town, too, and the Smart still suffers from the irritating pause every time the five-speed semi-auto box selects a new ratio.

Three standard trim levels go on sale in September, with the special edition following a month later. UK prices have yet to be confirmed, but the entry-level variant is expected to cost around £10,000, with our car creeping closer to the £12,000 mark and the range-topping Brabus at £14,000.

Rival: Toyota iQ
What the iQ loses to the Smart in cleanliness and efficiency, it makes up for in practicality and driver appeal. It offers lots of rear space and a punchy engine.

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1 Comment

Costly Repairs ?

Now just imagine if heaven forbid you accidentally prang your new very expensive IQ.

Due to past experience in owning a Toyota repair bills on bodywork was not cheap and those IQ pannels will be special orders and also requiring more expense when it comes to applying the paint.

Last month i thought a pair of metallic silver doorpannels would look amazingly cool on my Black Smart CDi so i ordered a pair im metallic silver and being made of plastic they come ready sprayed and ready to swap over at will.

I believe my Smartie has a nifty Pioneer Sat/Nav and Toyota want to charge their IQ customers nearly £1000 extra for such luxury.

The IQ does not come with a diesel option and price for price if you take specification into account the IQ is well over a £1000 more expensive.

If you try and use the rear seats in the IQ you loose the boot capacity totally which defeats the object of buying such a small car.

Now if Toyota had wanted to compete head to head with its rival the Smart ForTwo then it should have made the IQ a two seater with the right kit installed.

Everyone now agrees the Toyota IQ is too expensive for what it is and even though the Mercedes Smart ForTwo is hardly cheap transport atleast its more practical with having a permanent boot Sat/Nav, AirCon and loads of charm.

By Fuelmiser on 2 December, 2010, 7:56pm

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Smart ForTwo CDI
Smart ForTwo CDI
Smart ForTwo CDI

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FIRST OPINION

    Improved economy, lower emissions and a more stylish appearance are all big steps forward for the ForTwo, while the limited-edition Lightshine broadens the city car’s appeal further. Sadly, though, the company has failed to improve the irritating driving dynamics – the least it could do is tweak the hesitant semi-auto gearbox.

 

AT A GLANCE

    Price: £12,000 (est)
    Engine: 800cc diesel
    Transmission: Five-speed semi-automatic, rear-wheel drive
    Power/torque: 54bhp/130Nm
    0-62mph: 16.8 seconds
    Top speed: 84mph
    Economy: 85.6mpg
    CO2: 86g/km
    Standard equipment: High-line touchscreen navigation system, iPod/USB connectivity, 15-inch alloys, electric windows, ESP*On sale: October
     
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