NEW FOR 2016:
- All-new model.
Although the Smart ForTwo was designed for congested European cities, it’s been a part of the Canadian landscape for well over a decade. While it’s a niche choice for buyers here, Smart believes that it can lure more buyers into the fold with an all-new model that was redesigned from the wheels up.
As before, the Smart maintains its unique space-optimized design that sees the engine mounted behind the cabin and driving the rear wheels. The overall Tridion safety cell stays the same length at 2.69 metres, which is still the smallest in all of modern autodom. Width, however, is a completely different story. The chassis has been widened by more than 10 cm to free up extra shoulder and elbowroom in the cabin.
As before, the exterior design is nothing short of cute, and is available in plenty of eye-popping colour combinations. Also improved are the cabin’s ergonomics and layout, and buyers are offered several infotainment solutions including a cradle to accommodate a smartphone with integration via Smart’s CrossConnect app.
The wider body also allowed for a considerably wider track, improving the vehicle’s handling, lending it a more balanced and stable feel in corners and at high speeds. This is something of an important point because the new ForTwo receives a substantial bump up in power. A Renault-sourced 0.9-litre turbo three-cylinder puts out just shy of 90 and 100 lb-ft of torque, which leapfrogs the ForTwo from being one of the least powerful cars on sale, to … well, at least the most powerful minicar, eclipsing the bigger Mitsubishi Mirage and Chevy Spark.
Paired to this new motor are two all-new gearboxes. The new standard transmission is a five-speed manual, with an optional six-speed dual clutch in place of the head bob-inducing automated manual. Power steering is also now standard, too, as is a host of other equipment Smart previously charged for.
For now, only the Coupe version will be offered – a Convertible should be here for top-down season in 2016 after its reveal at the Frankfurt motor show.
The 2016 Smart ForTwo is offered in three trims: pure, passion, and prime.
The pure trim includes 15-inch steel wheels with wheel covers, LED daytime running lights, alarm system, honeycomb grille, twin-section tailgate, power steering, automatic climate control, cloth upholstered seats, four-way manually adjustable seats, dashboard tachometer and clock, 12-volt power outlet, Bluetooth phone and streaming audio, AM/FM stereo with USB and aux-in jacks, 3.5-inch TFT instrument cluster display with trip computer, redundant steering wheel controls, floor mats, and cruise control.
Opting for the passion trim adds 15-inch alloy wheels, additional interior and exterior colours, smartphone cradle, leather-wrapped steering wheel, height-adjustable driver’s seat, and contrasting mirror caps.
The prime trim builds on the passion trim with leather upholstery, heated seats, fixed panoramic glass roof, LED tail lights, unique 15-inch wheels, fog lights, power heated mirrors, plus a rain and light sensor.
A Sport package is offered on passion and prime trims when equipped with the dual-clutch transmission. It includes a sports suspension with 10 mm lower ride height, chrome exhaust tip, metal sports pedals, 16-inch black alloy wheels, and three-spoke sport leather-wrapped steering wheel with shift paddles
The Style package is offered exclusively on the prime trim with the dual-clutch ‘box. It features blue and white leather-look and cloth upholstery, blue and white dashboard and door trim, three-spoke sport leather-wrapped steering wheel with shift paddles, sport suspension, chrome exhaust tip, metal sport pedals and 16-inch wheels that look like they were stolen off of a Mercedes-Benz.
Key options include a retractable car cover, ambient interior lighting, forward collision warning, tire-pressure monitoring system, rear park assist, seven-inch infotainment screen with navigation, and JBL sound system.
