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 84