I first came across the Smart car when Swatch were still involved. At the launch of the original A class Mercedes at the Frankfurt show, the then-MD of Mercedes launched into a great digression on the merits of their new venture. I fell for it hook, line and sinker, including the price.

Years later Smart fortwo still provides an almost unique drive for those of us lucky enough to get out and about in one on our local roads. Realistically this is the third model that’s come under my right foot, and this one is by far the best.

It’s short, pleasantly wide enough for two large adults and high enough off the road to allow country journeys to be enjoyed to the visual maximum. In reality, with the front passenger seat forward there would be room enough for a child or small adult to sit in the ‘boot’ of the car. Except that Smart is insured as a two-seater.

This of course means that there is a very useful luggage boot, which really makes Smart the ideal town car, a car that can be parked at 45º to the kerb if parking bays have been installed to make shopping a real pleasure instead of the usual punishment.

Smart is far more than a town car because the three-cylinder 999cc 71bhp unturbocharged engine is more than happy getting to 100km/h in 13.7 seconds, peaking out at a remarkable 145 km/h. These are ‘proper’ superhighway speeds, as the car appears to be more than happy cruising all day at about 110km/h.

I found that the automatic gear change had little lag, but the ability to change gear manually was in fact great fun and this function in combination with comfortable grippy seats and firm suspension quickly makes the driver forget the size of the vehicle and enjoy the drive for what it really provides, fun and relaxation.

Enjoy the drive for what it really provides, fun and relaxation

For anyone worried about the safety of this very small car it has a Tridon safety cell, driver and passenger airbags and great seat belts.

To help keep you on the straight and narrow ESP/ASR with hill start assist will work wonders on uncertain road surfaces, and ABS with Brake Force Distribution will stop the hard-pressed driver without allowing the car to skid or spin.

At this stage it will do no harm to remind potential owners of what ESP does to help. The electronic stability programme switches in when the vehicle is in danger of swerving or sliding, as it controls the engine torque and brakes specific wheels to stop the car from ‘breaking away’.

The wheels have also been designed as a deformation element and following normal trends the steering column collapses on impact, rather than skewering the driver – a common feature on classic cars, even expensive ones.

The end result is a car that has a very small footprint, goes like a juvenile rocket, stops on a sixpence, and manoeuvres around obstructions, including slow-moving trolls, with the sort of ease that is normally only experienced when driving large, unsociable vehicles at speed.

One of the really happy aspects of Smart motoring is when the driver rolls back the sunblind and the full panoramic roof allows them to believe for brief moments that the open model Smart is being sampled. I prefer the transparent top to the coupé, as the rain means nothing to the happy occupants.

Now I know a thing or two about frugality, but the Smart Passion either has a non-operating fuel gauge, or the amount of the highly-expensive, remarkably- explosive stuff that we so grudgingly pump into our tanks appears to go a remarkably long way even when playing around with the manual function on the gear stick. This car is seriously economical.

Another amazing advantage of this boastful little ‘town’ car is the flexibility built into the plastic body panels. This means that they may deform in miner shunts, springing back into place. But even if the worst happens the owner can simply unbolt the damaged panel and replace it with a new one. This is a great insurance bargaining point abroad.

Air-conditioning is standard, which is a great sales point in a very small vehicle. Remote-controlled central locking, a lockable glove box and an immobiliser make the car difficult to pinch and then enjoy. The electric windows pander to modern drivers’ inability to work a window winder [what the heck would they do with a starting handle?], and the 15-inch wheels makes the writer snarl with jealousy.

You bet your life that both daughter Nikita and I had a super time on the roads of Malta.

Verdict

Comfort
The suspension will not be to the liking of some potential owners.

Cool
It simply gets no more excitingly futuristic than this little car.

Build
This car, plastic panels and all, simply screams quality.

At a glance

Top speed
145km/h.

0-100km
13.7 seconds.

Economy
4.2 litres/100kms. (combined)

C02
97/99 gms/km travelled.

Engine
Three-cylinder, 999 cc petrol engine without turbo charger.

Power
71bhp at 5,800rpm.

Maximum torque
92Nm at 2,800rpm.

Dimensions
Length 2695mm, width 1559mm, height 1565mm.