Smart Fortwo

23rd November 2006

	Pick of the bunch are the facelifted Smarts, which hit the showrooms from 2003 onwards.

The tiny runabout has found an avid following with city dwellers thanks to its funky looks and park-anywhere size.

As our news pages revealed in Issue 936, a new model arrives next year offering more space, fresh engines – including a diesel – and a higher quality cabin. With its arrival likely to depress prices of the current vehicle, now is the time to pick up a used example.

First arriving on UK shores in 1999, the Smart – as it was simply known then – was initially available only with left-hand drive. These cars can be had for just £2,400, but with so many RHD models around – starting from £3,500 – they are undesirable and difficult to sell on.

Pick of the bunch are the facelifted Smarts, which hit the showrooms from 2003 onwards. They got useful trim updates and a punchier 0.7-litre turbocharged engine. Prices start at around £4,500; expect to pay about £800 more for Convertible versions.

If it’s pace you’re after, the 74bhp Brabus-tuned model is a racy way to get about – although for real thrills, the windscreen-less Crossblade takes some beating!

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