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Just how short is the smart? It checks in at exactly 2500 mm, or about half the length of an S-class Mercedes. That tiny length combined with tall driving position allows for a decent bit of carving up traffic. Not when other cars are protective of their space, though: the engine may be willing, but the displacement is weak. Beginning at 80 km/h, there's noticeable lack of grunt that makes it difficult to keep up with other cars, and overtaking them becomes a remote possibility. It's almost (though not quite) possible to park by pointing straight towards the curb. Many car parks in Europe allot some 3-meter spaces for cars like the smart, and car washes even charge less for the vehicle's bath. Promised fuel consumption is 16.6 km/liter in city driving, with 23 km/liter on the highway. The smart's premise is that 90% of the time, a car sits unused. The other 10%? Running with just 1.2 people inside. The smart figures that its 2-person configuration is already generous. It's a limited vehicle, useful for just a couple without a family, or ideal as a second car. Plenty of small, two-seater bubble-shaped cars have come along before, but the smart brings the concept to thoughtful and thoroughly modern execution. motioncars.com thanks Mr. Jürgen Frey for arranging this test drive. |
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