Yahoo Finance 2016 Smart ForTwo is safer, more powerful, and (hopefully) more refined
When the first Smart went on sale in the United States, it gained a ton of interest for its distinct appearance and tiny size. This diminutive city car was relatively affordable, relatively safe, and had impressive estimated fuel economy. The ForTwo was full of promise and whimsy, but its numerous shortcomings quickly rendered it a forgettable novelty act.
So now, seven years after the original model officially launched Stateside, the Smart division of Mercedes-Benz has brought version 2.0 to our shores for the 2015 New York auto show. Overall, the ForTwo is similar to the original: a two-door, two-passenger microcar powered by a three-cylinder engine, all packed into a vehicle that measures 8.8 feet in total length.
The next-gen Smart gets an all-new turbocharged engine, producing 89 hp (compared with 71 hp) driving through a choice of all-new transmissions: a five-speed manual or a six-speed automated dual-clutch unit. This updated powertrain promises to improve upon the glacial acceleration from the previous edition. Fuel economy figures, however, haven’t been released for the North American ForTwo. Top speed with the manual is set at 96 mph.
Hopefully the all-new transmissions are better calibrated than in the original ForTwo... That automated-manual delivered jerky, jarring gear changes.
Crashworthiness is something many people question about the ForTwo, given its small footprint. Mercedes-Benz says it focused development on car-to-car crash compatibility with “substantially larger and heavier vehicles,” resulting in a model that “performed well in frontal collisions with the S- and C-Class” models.
With its tall profile, the Smart is susceptible to being blown about, whether by winds or even by larger vehicles passing by. The 2016 ForTwo comes with Crosswind Assist, a system that uses the electronic stability control (ESC) to settle the vehicle at speeds above 50 mph. The system activates ESC to lessen the need for the driver to countersteer to keep the ForTwo on its intended path. Forward-collision warning is optional, and works at speeds between 5 and 56 mph.
Mercedes emphasizes that the redesigned ForTwo is has a more comfortable ride than the previous model, thanks to new front and rear suspensions. Given the harsh, unpleasant ride of the original ForTwo we tested, this would be a major improvement.
Base models will come equipped with LED daytime running lights, remote lock/unlock, Bluetooth, and a 3.5-inch color display in the instrument cluster. Options such as a seven-inch touch screen, heated seats, power and heated mirrors, height-adjustable driver seat, panoramic roof, a Sport package, and rear-parking assist are available on uplevel models.
—Jon Linkov
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