2008 Smart Fortwo Coupe

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The Smart Fortwo hits the streets for 2008 as the smallest car on the road, designed to appeal to urbanites, the environmentally-minded, and extreme parking enthusiasts.

The first modern micro-car sold in the U.S., the diminutive egg-shaped Smart Fortwo Coupe attempts to epitomize stylish urban practicality in an economical package. The car is truly funky-looking inside and out and is guaranteed to turn heads wherever it’s driven. Available in Europe since 1998, the latest generation is all-new for 2008. It’s built by Mercedes-Benz in Germany and is sold in the U.S. by the Penske Auto Group through a limited network of dealerships, most of which are located in or near large cities. The car is offered primarily on a special-order basis, which means most buyers will wait several months for delivery.

The Smart Fortwo Coupe is offered in two varieties: the starkly equipped Pure model and better-outfitted Passion. Both feature an expansive transparent plastic roof panel that gives an open-air effect, with a fabric shade to block the glare and keep the interior from overheating on a sunny day. The Fortwo is also available as a convertible in the Cabriolet version.

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At a mere 106 inches long, two Fortwo Coupes can fit easily into an average parking space, which makes it well suited for those living in congested metropolitan areas. But with a rear-mounted 1.0-liter three-cylinder Mitsubishi-supplied engine delivering only 70 horsepower, the Smart FotTwo Coupe isn’t quite so hospitable for long highway commutes, where quick on-ramp launches and strong passing power are necessities.

The only available gearbox is a five-speed sequential-shift transmission that can either be operated manually (via steering wheel-mounted paddles in Passion trim), or in full automatic mode. Sequential-shift transmissions are becoming increasingly popular in sporty European cars, but it’s not the best choice here. The Smart Fortwo Coupe’s gearbox tends to shift sluggishly and unpleasantly, even in manual mode — it feels as if the transmission is being controlled by a teenager just learning how to manipulate a stick shift and clutch. A bona fide manual transmission would be much better at wringing every iota of power from the one-liter engine.

Riding on 15-inch wheels and tires, the Smart ForTwo’s handling is reasonably nimble, with a tight turning radius. The wheels are pushed so far out toward the corners of the vehicle that there is only an inch or two of bumper ahead of the tires at either end. Highway stability is surprisingly good considering its size, though it is more susceptible to crosswinds and pavement irregularities (where it tends to get a bit bouncy) at speed than would a heavier vehicle. Power steering is optional across the line.

It’s only logical that many potential buyers will question the safety of the tiny Smart Fortwo Coupe. After all, the laws of physics dictate that a larger and heavier vehicle will usually fare better in a crash than will a smaller and lighter one. Still, the Smart Fortwo is built around a durable “Tridon” safety cage and fares well in European crash tests. Front and side-impact airbags are standard, as are antilock brakes, traction control, and Mercedes’ ESP stability control.

Inside, the Smart Fortwo seems far roomier than its exterior dimensions would otherwise suggest. Cargo room behind the front seats is 7.8 cubic feet, more than what's found behind the rear seats of a Mini Cooper. There’s plenty of leg- and headroom for six-footers, though passengers sit closer to each other than they would in most cars. The seats are sufficiently supportive and attractively upholstered, but are far from being the plushest on the road. The dashboard is attractively designed. All of the controls are fairly straightforward. The base Pure model comes only with crank-operated windows and no radio or air conditioning; the Passion offers basic amenities, with items like heated seats and fog lamps optional.

And while the Smart Fortwo Coupe is designed for maximum fuel economy — it’s rated at 33 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway — be aware that unlike most small cars, it requires premium fuel, which can cost 20 to 30 cents more per gallon than regular unleaded. (According to a Smart spokesperson, the car’s “performance and fuel economy would be compromised,” if regular is used.) This requirement tends to negate much of the cost savings in fuel economy, compared to other more powerful subcompact cars that run on regular.

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What’s more, the Smart Fortwo Coupe carries only a two-year warranty as a cost-savings measure, instead of the industry average three-year coverage (with some companies backing their cars for as long as 10 years). Since the engine is wedged under the cargo area, and with parts prices likely to cost more than those in other small cars, expect high repair bills once that warranty expires.