Vehicle Overview
The two-seat Smart ForTwo arrived at U.S. dealerships for the 2008 model year as a tiny runabout groomed for city streets and tight parking. Trim levels include basic Pure, better-equipped Passion and performance-oriented Brabus. The ForTwo is offered in coupe and convertible body styles. Its novelty rules out a rigid set of competitors.
New for 2010
There are no significant changes.
Exterior
Built on a 73.5-inch wheelbase, the rear-wheel-drive ForTwo measures just 106.1 inches long — more than 3 feet shorter than a Mini Cooper, the next shortest car on the market. Removable plastic body panels that allow owners to change the color of their car attach to a steel space frame. The Passion comes with a solid-roof option in place of a panoramic see-through panel.
- Standard 15-inch steel wheels
- Optional 15-inch alloy wheels
- Brabus model gets 17-inch rear wheels
- Contrasting colors along framework around passenger compartment
- Convertible has fully powered soft-top
- Optional fog lights
Interior
Smart markets the car as offering an unexpectedly large cabin for its shrink-wrapped size. The front seats boast 45.4 cubic feet of passenger volume, about 4 cubic feet smaller than the front-seat volume in a Chrysler PT Cruiser. There is a newly optional center armrest for 2010.
- Standard fold-flat front passenger seat
- Optional CD stereo
- Optional power windows
- Optional heated leather seats
- Optional panoramic roof
- Optional air conditioning
Under the Hood
The ForTwo uses a three-cylinder engine with an automated-manual transmission that can be left in automatic mode or shifted by the driver.
- Standard 70-horsepower, 1.0-liter three-cylinder with 68 pounds-feet of torque
- Standard five-speed auto-manual transmission
- Optional power steering
- Top speed of 90 mph
Safety
Safety features include:
- Standard front and side-impact airbags
- Standard antilock brakes
- Standard traction control and electronic stability system