Road TestCar reviews - Smart - ForTwo - Turbo cabrioletSmart modelsOverviewThe new Smart ForTwo cabrio gains maturity and driveability - but it's not perfect25 Apr 2008 THE introduction of the all-new ForTwo early this year brought a host of significant changes over the original Smart that redefined the notion of personal mobility. Benefiting from a growth squirt (rather than spurt), the micro-car gains new-found maturity, a modern interior and driveability that the first Australian iteration could only dream of. Of course, it’s not perfect. Though much improved, the ride is still harsh, the jerky automated-manual transmission still changes gear at snail’s pace and the steering prefers to work against, rather than with, the driver. And, at $25,990 in Turbo Cabriolet guise as tested here, it does not represent great value. Despite these criticisms, then, why do we still like it? Model release date: 1 February 2008 to 1 November 2015 All car reviewsAlfa Romeo Abarth Alpine Alpina Audi Aston Martin BMW Bentley Chevrolet Chery Citroen Chrysler Dodge Cupra Ferrari DS Ford Fiat FPV Foton GWM Great Wall Holden Haval HSV Honda Hyundai Hummer Isuzu Infiniti Jeep Jaguar Lamborghini Kia LDV Land Rover Lotus Lexus Maserati Mahindra McLaren Mazda Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-AMG Mini MG Nissan Mitsubishi Peugeot Opel Proton Porsche Renault Ram Rover Rolls-Royce Skoda Saab SsangYong Smart Suzuki Subaru Toyota Tesla Volvo Volkswagen Previous modelSmart's first-generation City Cabriolet – renamed ForTwo less than a year after launch in January 2004 – was the world’s first modern-day micro machine that challenged our concept of what motoring is and what it ought to be, especially for city commuters who rarely have more than one occupant on board. Mounted behind the seats was a spritely 698cc turbocharged three-cylinder engine delivering 45kW and 95Nm to the rear wheels via a despondent six-speed sequential clutchless manual. An ‘auto’ button was optional. Despite its size, the ForTwo proved to be strong and extremely safe with standard airbags and stability control. But an effort to keep the car from tipping over tended to make the suspension rock hard. |
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