The latest five-door Smart ForFour thoroughly compliments the delightful Smart ForTwo which we at MOTORING enjoyed driving a few weeks ago.
Passenger comfort always figures high up on the list of priorities with the Daimler group and the latest Smart ForFour can accommodate four normal European adults with the greatest of ease.
This car has a brilliant floor pan, a superb suspension and transmission, and a great three-cylinder 999cc engine tucked low down in the rear under a very generous boot. The body is so light that the 71bhp engine easily takes the car to 100km/h in only 15.9 seconds, blowing out at 151km/h.
Many might strongly question the safety of a vehicle that has an engine tucked neatly into the lower reaches of the rear end of such vehicle. Fear not. This is a car that can be thrown with gay abandon into every corner and such is the engineering balance of the suspension and drive train that corners can be enjoyed at very decent speeds, reminding me of many happy miles covered some 40 years ago in a Fiat 600; Fiat being a company that had fully explored the art of manufacturing small cars with rear engines that provided comfort and fun for their owners.
Technology has moved so far since those far off days that the average driver will have absolutely no idea that the car he or she is enjoying so much is actually being driven through the rear wheels from an engine also performing from the rear.
The Smart ForFour is primarily composed of a stiff structure called a Tridion Safety Cell which provides the timid with reassuring levels of safety. And although the roof is fixed as standard, we had the optional panoramic roof which gives the car an almost sports car feel when light is allowed to penetrate the cabin.
The Smart ForFour is obviously aimed at an upwardly mobile class of male and female drivers. Our model had masses of orange colour on board, aimed at those who enjoy ‘cool’. It is most certainly a very pleasant combination, not just for the young but also for more mature drivers... and with 60 years of motoring behind me, few drivers get any more mature than your writer who would be more than happy to own a Smart with this dynamic colour scheme.
Standard features include the ever-so-popular ECO start/stop function, ESP with hill start assist, ABS with brake force assist, driver and passenger airbag with a driver kneebag, and side bags for the driver and passenger [head/thorax].
The car’s power steering is finger light and absolutely positive, working in conjunction with a turning circle of only 8.65 metres, small enough to turn in most suburban roads with one spin of the wheel.
The five-speed box has well spaced gears and we pulled smoothly away from 45kmh in fifth gear without any protests from within. The automatic climate control obviously performed to perfection and the electric windows and heated rear window will be popular with many. The remote controlled central locking with immobiliser has become essential to younger drivers.
The Smart ForFour is available in three distinct equipment lines – Passion, Prime and Proxy. We were out and about in the Passion version which costs an additional €1,706. The Proxy costs €4,230 while the Prime comes in at €2,640.
Individually one can also opt for the ‘Cool and Media’ package, automatic transmission, metallic paint, panoramic roof, electric mirrors, LED and sensor package, a rev counter, rear parking sensors, a reversing camera and a sports package.
The car on test had some of these options on board, but frankly, for those with the desire to own a Smart ForFour, the basic car is far more than adequate.
Personally speaking, I would pay extra for a rev counter, as the engine speed rather than the dial reading km/h is of absolute use in order to avoid over-revving and causing damage to the engine.
In all, the Smart ForFour has great looks, excellent handling characteristics, powerful brakes and a flexible engine... it is sure to be a hit on the local market.
Verdict
Comfort
Daimler in its Smart version is absolutely on the ball. Front or rear, the Smart For Four is a totally balanced package.
Performance
We enjoyed the car so much we would have been even more provoked if the acceleration and academically the top speed were faster and higher.
Cool
Across all motoring age groups, this car is indeed cool.
Quality
As good as it gets. This is no surprise as the car is not cheap in any way.
At a glance
Top speed
151km/h
0-100km
15.9 seconds
Economy
Combined cycle, 4.2 litres for every 100kms travelled. Three-way catalytic converter. Euro 6 exhaust gas standard.
C02
97gr/km
Engine
3 cylinder, in-line, 999cc engine mounted under the boot in the rear.
Power
71bhp at 6000rpm
Maximum torque
91Nm at 2,850rpm