smart fortwo Part 1: Design Review

What type of car do you think poses the toughest challenge for a car designer? Supercar? Sedan? Actually, the answer you'll most commonly hear is the tall, one-box economy car.

One box refers to the overall shape of the car. Sedans are three box shapes. Wagons two box, and micro-cars are typically one box shapes.

Now, if you're thinking that many supercars are also one-box designs, you're right. But given that they are long, low, and wide, it isn't much of a challenge to make them look sexy and sleek, as the proportions do that for you.

But to make a short-of-length, tall and narrow economy car look attractive… that takes skill.

Typically, designers will employ certain "tricks" to make a car appear less long, or tall, or what have you. Similar to wearing a shirt with vertical stripes to appear thinner, a character line running the length of the body will visually lengthen a car. Another example, rounding off the front corners of a car will shorten its overhang optically, if not literally.

In the case of the smart fortwo however, the designers seemed determined to play-up the small size of the car, rather than attempting to make it appear larger than it actually is. We see an example of this in the contrasting "tridion safety cell" that highlights the passenger compartment. It's intended to give you a sense of security by recalling a roll-cage, but it bisects the car vertically, which of course makes the car look taller and shorter in length.

Then there's the character line that runs through the door and aligns with the small engine intake above the rear fender. It could have easily been longer, visually lengthening the car, but it isn't. Certainly it adds a dynamic touch, but it serves as evidence that the smart fortwo isn't pretending to be something it's not. Quiet smart. And refreshing.

In keeping with the small-is-cute theme, the front graphics have a friendly look about them – the car is greeting you with a smile. At the back, a pair of individual pod tail-lights per side continue the fun attitude. And we finally see a couple of design cues meant to widen the smart visually – the wide handle for the lift gate and the engine-heat extracting vent that is nicely integrated between the hatch and the bumper. Ok, they're minor elements, but they're there.

It's refreshing that the fortwo doesn't suffer from an identity crisis – it is what it is, and it's ok with that. And come to think of it, I am too. From any angle, the design of the fortwo is completely honest and fun. It greets you with a smile, and you just can't help but smile back. And as far as I'm concerned, that's a good thing.

Watch the video
Read Part 2: Interior & User Experience
Read Part 3: Performance

smart fortwo

Performance
- Acceleration: Just adequate around town - Lacking everywhere else
- Handling: Very active stability control is welcomed for once
- Braking: A little unstable when used aggressively, but effective

Design
- Exterior: Fun, honest, makes people smile - a lot
- Interior: Best aspect of this car - clever, fun, useful

Utility
- Comfort: Legroom and headroom equal to full size SUVs
- Space: Huge for a two door, rear-engined car with a tiny footprint

Safety
- Dynamics: Stability control relieves your fears, but physics cannot be denied
- Technology: Every airbag, rollbar-like safety cage, aggressive stability control, ABS, etc.

Value
- Price: You pay for its funkiness factor - there are better values out there
- Mileage: Hard to argue with high 30s, low 40s, but looks suggest more

Emotional Appeal
- Heart thumpin' factor: Makes you want to hug it every morning
- Fun to spank: Fun to get reactions, but not to hustle

SPECIFICATIONS

Layout: Rear engine / Rear wheel drive
Engine: 1.0 liter, inline 3 cylinder
Power (SAE): 71 hp @  5800 rpm
Torque: 68 lbs-ft @  4500 rpm
Redline: 6000 rpm
Gearbox: 5 speed automated manual
Curb Weight: 1808 lbs.
0-60 mph: 14.5 sec. 
1/4 mile: 20.0 sec. 
Top Speed: 91 mph (electronically limited)
Mileage: 33 city / 41 highway
Base Price: $14,235
Competitors: Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit, Vespa moped