2008 Smart Fortwo Preview

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What it Is

Smart Fortwo Preview - 2007 Detroit Auto Show: A crude city car known primarily for a lack of cargo space, funky driving dynamics, and an ability to park perpendicular to the curb, the original Smart Fortwo was never intended to be sold in the United States. Perhaps it was never intended to be sold in Europe, either, proving elusive as a money maker for its adoptive parent DaimlerChrysler. Now, with higher gas prices and thickening traffic in the U.S., the time is evidently right to get Smart in the States. Arriving in the first quarter of 2008 as a coupe or convertible, the redesigned and, according to its maker, dramatically improved Smart Fortwo should cost less than $15,000.

Why it Matters

Aside from proving that you can outrun the cops just as effectively due to size as speed in The DaVinci Code, the Smart Fortwo matters because it's, well, smart. City dwellers all over Europe have discovered how easy the Smart is to live with in confined areas, and now Americans can, too.

What's Under the Hood

A three-cylinder engine sits under the rear floor of the Smart. In Europe the standard gas engines make up to 71 horsepower while a turbo variant whips up a palpitation-inducing 84 ponies. The sequential five-speed manual transmission has no clutch; rather, the shift lever is tapped or paddles on steering wheel are twiddled. Smart says the model we get will average 40 mpg combined. Top speed of the 1,653-lb. Smart Fortwo is 90 mph. If you dare. Smarts come standard with ABS, EBD, and brake assist; stability control, dual front airbags, and hill start assist. Side-impact airbags are optional.

What it Looks Like

Looking like an Easter egg on wheels, the Smart Fortwo is 8.8 feet long, 5.1 feet tall, and 5.1 feet wide. Decked out in the dual-color plastic body panels that have been a characteristic of the brand since it debuted in 1998, the design emphasizes the Fortwo's high-strength steel "tridion" safety cell that "protects its occupants like a nut." Other details include the coupe's polycarbonate panoramic roof, standard projection headlights, and snazzy alloy wheels. The split rear hatch creates a tailgate for parties involving 100-calorie snack packs or easily converts into a tapas bar.

What's Inside

Feeling surprisingly spacious due to its large windshield, generous side glass, panoramic roof, and suspended dash design, the new Fortwo can even accommodate 12 cu.-ft. of cargo if you stack stuff to the roof (or fold the passenger's seat in half to carry items larger than, say, a loaf of French bread). Notably, the passenger gets more room than the driver since the seat is mounted six inches further back to maximize shoulder room. Leather and seat heaters are optional, and the ignition is mounted between the seats like a Saab. A wacky tach and clock are mounted at the top of the dash for extra character, which is kinda like double frying McDonald's French fries for added "flavor" (aka: trans-fats).

What Smart Says

Smart's press information, which insists on incorrectly using lower case for the name of this car as if poet ee cummings was a member of the marketing team, claims: "The new smart fortwo can do everything that the current model can do - but better. This means that the new smart fortwo is even more comfortable, even more agile, even safer and even more environmentally friendly than its predecessor."

What We Think

Though pricey, the 2008 Smart Fortwo boasts a cool factor that other small cars like the Honda Fit can't touch. However, its tiny size means its level of utility for carrying people and cargo can't touch other small cars...like the Honda Fit.

By: Christian J. Wardlaw

Photo Credit: Smart and Christian J. Wardlaw