insideSUSSEX Magazine Issue 01 - March 2015 | Page 84
MOTORS
Smart ForTwo Edition #1 (with optional Forward Collision Warning)
Price as tested: £13,420.
Top Speed: 91 MPH
0-60MPH: 14.4 seconds
Economy: Combined 69 MPG
Performance: 71 BHP
Combined CO2: 93 G/KM
This ForTwo is very much a car I could drive out
of the car park without having to adjust to any
strange foibles and quirks. Despite the diminutive
dimensions of this fabulous little car, you never
feel vulnerable, and there's an amazing TARDIS
synessy to the cockpit (it’s definitely bigger on
the inside!). What's more, the 350 litres of boot
space is not to be sniffed at either – the true
advantage of a two-seater.
Performance-wise, despite its relatively small
999cc engine generating 71bhp, the ForTwo is
decidedly spritely, delivering 0-62mph in 14.4
seconds and a maximum speed of 91mph. But
much like many smaller cars, it's the handling
that gives the Smart its pace; those figures take
on a whole new meaning when you can hurtle
around winding bends and take roundabouts so
confidently. Start-stop technology, as well as the
efficiency of the engine, means that the Smart
has a combined consumption of 69mpg and
emissions of just 93g/km, making it an extremely
eco-friendly choice indeed.
by small cars, driving the fantastically fun little
Smart ForTwo put a massive grin on my face,
and turned a lot of heads as I drove past.
An interesting thing happened when I posted on
Facebook that I was road testing the Smart
ForTwo—along with a cheeky Instagram snap
of my new little automotive friend. A good number
of people made derogatory comments about its
size. Mostly men. Something I found initially rather
baffling and then very amusing.
This is a car that revels in being different, in doing
its own thing, and not just copying every other
car out there. Its individuality, derived from function
and form rather than just trying to be cool for
cool's sake, is implemented so brilliantly that you
just cannot help but fall in love with it.
Why? Because the Smart ForTwo is clearly not
trying to be a big car. It is meant to be a small
car. Going by my Facebook post and the
comments I received, it would appear that for
some, (mainly men!) size matters. I wouldn't like
to comment on the possible ramifications of this
in such a prestigious publication, but what I will
say instead is that as a man generally unfazed
smart of Brighton
smart of Gatwick
0844 659 3320
www.lookers.co.uk/smart
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