The smart fortwo

Everybody (well, almost) thinks those of us south of the 49th parallel are so much smarter. Hmph. That may be true when it comes to some things: monarchies, mens’ haircuts, and bilingualism come to mind (ask your local Canadian Buick dealer about the bilingualism!); but maybe not so about others such as candy bars (mmm, Coffee Crisp!), beer (imagine, a government-sponsored national chain of Beer Stores!), and the availability of the Mercedes-Benz line of micro cars known throughout the world as the smart (lower case “s”—how cool is that?).

The model in question, the smart fortwo, will soon be available in the U.S. assuming DaimlerChrysler doesn’t pull the plug on the brand, which has been losing money since its 1998 introduction into nine European countries (Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Holland, Austria, Switzerland and Spain). It is now available in 36 countries around the world. Just to make things more interesting, when the smart brand was first launched, it was a joint venture between Daimler-Benz and the Swiss watchmaker Swatch—who know a thing or two about savvy marketing. The fortwo was introduced in Canada in 2004, and it was recently announced that it will be available in one of the last major markets yet to be cracked, the U.S., in 2008.

If you haven’t figured it out yet, from either its name or the photo, the fortwo is a car built—you guessed it—for two people. Also available as of this writing in other parts of the world are the forfour (do you really have to ask?), the fortwo cabrio, and different coupe and roadster variations.

You’d probably think by looking at this thing something like “Omigod, it looks so suicidal!” Well, smart claims it’s one of the safest cars in the microcompact car market. Photos on their Web page seem pretty convincing (www.thesmart.ca/index.cfm?ID=4785). Much of it boils down to its design: the Tridion safety cell, a steel frame which is supposed to absorb impact energy; the location of the engine and transmission underneath the car; and reinforced doors which, according to smart, distribute energy, giving side airbags more time to deploy.

If nothing else, you’ve gotta admit the fortwo will get you noticed. Its shape and color schemes are like nothing else out there. Go to their Web site for a peek at the wild two-tone combinations available. Or better yet, take a drive and visit smart Centre St. Catharines, at 371 Ontario St. (just off the QEW), and see them in person. We parked next to one with Ontario plates on a recent trip to Grand Island, and everyone who passed it stopped to look. You can buy them in Canada, and use them for trips across the border, but you won’t be able to register one here in the U.S. until the certified version goes on sale in two years.

Prices? U.S. prices haven’t yet been announced, but right now in Canada the fortwo coupe is selling for CDN$23,300—or about CDN$2,600 per foot. Yes, the fortwo is about nine feet long, which is about four feet shorter than Honda’s new smallest car, the Fit. And it’s probably much easier to park than Steve Martin made it look in the recent Pink Panther movie. (A fortwo was also featured prominently in The DaVinci Code.)

What do you get for your money? A 40 hp turbo-diesel engine, alloy wheels, glass sunroof, leather seating, and a/c, among other stuff. It should get an estimated 60 mpg when it arrives here at selected Mercedes-Benz dealerships.

Time will tell just how smart a decision it will be importing it to a “bigger is better” culture.

more info at: thesmart.ca