The new generation Smart Fortwo is on sale now. There are revised looks, an updated interior and lower CO
2 emissions - it's available from £8,780.
Visual changes include new front and rear aprons, side skirts and a fuel filler finished in body colour. There are new wheel designs too. To make the coupé easier to use it is now possible to open the lower tailgate with just one of the handles rather than both.
The interior features a restyled dashboard with a fabric-covered instrument panel housing new-look dials. There are new patterns for the upholstery and extra storage from a new glove box and net pockets on the seat side bolsters. The audio system has been improved with the pulse version offering USB and iPod connectivity while the passion and Xclusive variants feature a touch-screen audio and navigation system.
Engines are carried over and CO
2 emissions for every model are less than 120g/km. The flagship model now has 101bhp, which is enough to reduce the claimed 0-62mph time to 8.9 seconds - one second faster than before.
Since its launch in the UK ten years ago Smart has sold over 60,000 cars. The company expects the new model to prove more popular than ever and in 2012 will add an
electric version of the Fortwo to the range.
John Lambert - 17 Sep 2010