1 ^ motors t c u a v ; toad test Smart Fortwo -


air on a shoestring I


s not an open-topped citycar a contradiction in terms? Do urban dwellers really want to breathe in each other’s exhaust fumes?


Apparently so, at least according to


the thousands of buyers who have been snapping up the clever smart car in its trendy fortwo cabrio form. Here, I am looking at the second


generation version, which looks the same as its predecessor but in fact is very different. Today’s model is significantly


improved - and bigger. For example, it is 19.5cm longer from nose to tail, but crucially it is 5cm longer in the wheel­ base, with a wider track and wider tyres. As a result, it is more comfort­ able on the open road, cornering wdth some composure and witli less of the worrying body roll that can afflict narrow, high-sided vehicles. There are better handling city cars,


but the fortwo has definite benefits in terms of manoeuvrability and ease of use around town, 'fhe optional power steering lacks feel.and I would settle


!=3, „ „ , Oi OIRtSllR PT CIIUIS[H 2.2a a in i , lw > n /» d .h l t i io tm , t !.,t/m,niB.iMolp.li.3.nnun,.. CAR Of THE WEEK


up with the extra effort needed to exe­ cute low speed manoeuvres. With the roof up, the cabrio model


........... ro T i3 l5 c iA iff6 d iR io in :'n .V A ^ ^ u H 'c i 'A u fo a


04VOU1SWACONPASSAI2.0 120 H lC H U H t™ A r i, O T . l l i i « S t PAV S 3 ^ f t t e . 4 " A t e V s W ^


S f R ' c S “ u f n o ' S £ ’™ f t I MERaOES ( L . . . .


OOWVWGOlf ?,* fnllOMwiSbuy .


o n NISSAN nRRANOII2.4S, ..1 6 ,9 9 5


.£3,995 !fb


RSUZUKl'WARAiE'O TURBO oiESn


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .R r i« r fn tA so o .


fOR™ MaW i / T ?CU^f e ' i ' ! S S3 vOlVO S40 1,90 SC mel bfcili, 4 doo«, 1 mnei, M I t ^ intfriof, o/(, t/u« untiol, 98RRE6PIUGEOT406 1.9TD,4doofi,mci8ial,guefl.........................................11,300 5^ 1 .


OirVOUSWAMN(»t£l.9CTTI»ll5BHP,3italAM«lli(lA«,liH.r,l,»orrofe*ei W . S * rlenof.BpofBdtdolb^ShituuMloolutwcB...............................................................................................£6,200


,


...................................................................................................................................... GENERAL


M0I11.0;.«onomyoT)dpc«f................................................................................£5,^95 OnCITROENPIttSSO5)ti«tl;gVbl«.65.000inileittp«kol«gfemiV ............£3,200 WE BUY CARS FOR CASH SERVICE, MOT PREPARATION AND VALETING ....,8 0 0a,400 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . d.soo


p m m E c m m E


Unit 20 Crescent Mill / Macadams


North Valley Road, Colne. BB8 9RG Tel: 01282 8 6 3 5 9 9 Mobile: 07917 202514}


Web: www.pendleleautoelectric5.com Time Served Technician


90S PEUGEOT306,d. eRtrttfm, cirtn ^


............................................. £3,21 C£N£RAiaRS :3,B00


..£1,850 ie,H?l


we look at here is barely any noisier at cruising speeds than the hard-topped coupe with just an extra rustle of rvind noise reminding you that you are in the convertible. The trio of 1.0-litre petrol engines


smart offers are all highly refined but the entry-level 61 b.h.p. model feels under-powered and even the 71 b.h.p. option is found wanting at higher speeds. These cheaper units are fine for pottering about town, but the live­ ly 84 b.h.p. turbo-charged option is the way to go if you plan on covering bigger distances.


By STEVE WALKER . The smart people have done away


with the sequential gearbox that was used in the old car, swopping its jerky si.x-gear set-up for a faster shifting, five-speed unit. The standard manual shift option gives decent control, let­ ting you prod the lever to select gears yourself or flip the optional steering wheel paddles. Lift off the gas as you do this and it manages quite nicely, but the softouch fully-automatic mode on the Passion models is prefer­ able most of the time. The cabriolet’s folding fabric roof is


easily operated at any speed at the touch of a button. It retreats back­ wards in the manner of a conventional sun roof revealing a big slice of sky overhead, but drivers wanting to go fully convert their smart will need to stop and get out. It is hard to argue with the suitabil­


ity of the fortwo concept to its urban transport role. With two seats, tiny


for the unassisted helm if you can put. dimensions, that self-shifting gearbox


and fuel-sipping engines, it makes all kinds of sense for all kinds of reasons. The fortwo cabrio seems less sensible, exposing its occupants to the noise and smog of the city, but it is more extrovert, more stylish and more fun, and these attributes are just as impor­ tant to the smart package. The fact that there is a boot to


speak of hints at the way this fortwo cabrio has grown-up. Owners get a respectable 220-litre luggage capacity in the back, there is a glass rear win­ dow to improve visibility, and on the inside the fortwo now feels like part of the Mercedes-Benz family, rather than the scruffy stepchild that smart’s prestigious parent company would


rather forget. The latest fortwo attacks the mar­


ket with familiar Pure, Pulse and Pas­ sion trim levels. Pure keeps it simple with steel wheels and manual win­ dows, but buyers do get ABS brakes, twin front airbags and ESP stability control - a laudable standard inclusion on a car in this sector. The Pulse models offer a sporty


flavour, with a rev counter, racy trim materials, a sports steering wheel, electric windows, alloy wheels and front fog lights. The range-topping Passion delivers


air-conditioning, different alloy wheels, a silver grille and the softouch automatic gear shift option. Given the dimensions of the car and its engine, you would not expect the


.fortwo to achieve anything but the most miserly fuel economy. Sure enough, the combined cycle figure for the mid-range 71bhp cabrio is 58 m.p.g. The drop-top models are 40kg heav­


ier, but that will only cost owners a couple of miles in the gallon and CO2 emissions are pegged at 116g/km for the 71 b.h.p. car, 4g/km up on the equivalent coupe. The insurance groups are similarly


low, partly thanks to the smart’s plas­ tic bodyshell, which is inexpensive to replace after bigger ones. It is often the way that a model


which pioneers a market sector fails to capitalise on its visionary design. Copj'cat rivals are usually quick to emerge which do it all a little bit bet­ ter. Although the original smart was certainly groundbreaking and remained the only city car to be seen in around our cities’ fashionable dis­ tricts, it never felt like the complete


m ( § m / m A m m m CAR: smart fortwo cabrio range


PRICES: £7,000 to £11,000 (est) on the road INSURANCE GROUPS: 2-5 (est)


PERFORMANCE: (71 b.h.p.) max speed 91 m.p.h.


FUEL CONSUMPTION: (71 b.h.p.) combined 58 m.p.g.


STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front airbags, ABS, recessed wipers, ESP WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/ Width/Height 269S/1559/1542mm


.■ i C Om P U T R T U N E C AR SA L E S LTB ; T. ^ , - i k , i u ' i •


V RENAULT SCBJIC SPORT AUZE1 -6. PAS | G\v, EM(X alkjys. mel red............ 13,995


h s e S S SQ S R K B Z Z V S B S a R


S3 RENAULT CLIO AUTKEHTIQUE1-5 DC! 65 PAS clew Silver .........£4,495 {


... ,, • l ____■


X RENAULT OLIOS PAS. CL. E/w. alloy:


VAUXHALL ASTRA 1.6 SXi, PAS cfl e/w. e/m, alloys, black................£3,495


___ , „


53 FIATPUNTO ACTIVE flv. 3dr. PAS low ins & lax. mel red................£3,995


rA


X CITROEN PICASSO 1.6LX T6v. PAS- ' CL. EW.met red......................... £3.495


a


R PEUGE0T1961.1 XN INDEPENDENCE, lo-.v Ins. low tax. 46k only, veiy clean car ideal first car................................Cl 995


■ // ___________


•rr r — ,


WVAUXHAIL ASTRA TO DIESEL Silver.................Was £3695 Now£


•’V


Accrington Road, Burnley


VVAUXHALLVECTRASHi2.0140 ) usual high spec, met green . . 13,495 |


51 FORD KA STYLE 1.3, PAS. C4. Met Green........................................... 12,995 I


..£4.495


02 VAUXHALL ASTRA PAS. nice car, silver .


02 DAEWOO HATE SE PLUS, FAS- tvleiTL 8


North Valley Road, Colne (opp Matalan) @ 1 2 8 2 cars Include 3 months Parts and Labour Warrant)^ndl2mgnths M Part exchanne


1


Edisford Road, Clitherqe


__ www.perrys.co.uk , North Valley Road,


Valley Colne


Tel: 01282 427321 Tel: 01200 426021 Tel: 01282 863387 ; Open 7 d a y S i Mon - FrI 9.00am to 7.00pm Sat 9.D0am to 5.00pm S u n i l 00am to 5 00pm


VANTAGE


S VAUXH A lLAS TRA'iT ciUB : M l PAS. nice c a r ...................... £2 495 I


XALFAROM£01562.0T-SPAnK,P.\S.c‘w , ft-m. c4. aligys fug leaffier. tret red ....£2.995


TFORD FOCUS 1.6 ZETEC, PAS. C/1 eAv. e/m. white........................ £2,995


package. The latest fortwo cabrio model is far more sophisticated, at home doing far more than parking or creeping along. This car repre­


sents a clever idea, cleverly executed. It you like the idea of an open-top and space is not impor­ tant, then the latest fortwo cabio is worth a look, as long as you can afford the rather high price tag.


05 05 Corsa 1.3CDTI SXI 3dr Ultra Blue


06 06 Astra 1.6 Design 05 55 Astra 1.6 SXi Estate Black Sapphire


iT'


www.motorstoday.co.uk


Automotive Marketing at its best


0 1 S 8 S 4 4 S 4 6 Q C n ^ ^ o e A ^ r e r d ^ n & T n m e S j ^ i u m d w M a r ^ ^


Sports Hatch Moonland a i n j 3 r | .u T n |y V


^ Silver Lightening


04 04 Meriva 1.7 CDTI 06 56 Vectra 1.8 SRI Design silver Lightening


5dr Sat Nav Black Sapphire


04 04 Corsa 1.0 Design 5dr O y G


04 53 Zafira 1.8 Design 06 06 Zafira VXR 2.0 Auto Ultra Blue


Turbo (240ps) Star Silver


05 55 Agila 1. 02 02 Astra 1 06 06 Astra 1 02 02 Astra 1 06 06 Astral 02 62 Astra 1 04 53 Astral 04 53 Astra 1: 06 06 Astral 02 52 Astral 03 63 Astral 06 06 Astral 06 06 Astra 1 05 55 Astra 1 04 04 Astra 1 04 54 Astra 1 06 06 Astra 1; 06 06 Astra l i 06 06 Astra t.i 06 06 Astra 1 06 56 Astra l i 02 52 Astra l i 06 06 Astra l i 06 56 Astra l ! 06 06 Astra 1.! 06 06 Astra l ! 05 55 Corsa 1 02 52 Corsa 1 04 04 Corsa 1 05 55 Corsa 1


2 Enjoy Star Silver...........................................................£5,495 ,4 LS5dr Star Silver.........................................................£4,495 .4 SXI Sports Hatch Metro Blue.................................£11,499 .6 Club Flame Red...........................................................£4,495 .6 Club Star Silver............................................................£9,990 ,6 Club 5dr Star Silver.................................................... £4,795 ,6 Club 5dr Auto Ultra Blue............................................£6,999 ,6 Club Auto Star Silver........................................ .-........£6,890 ,6 Design Estate Black Sapphire............................... £11,990 ,6 Elegance 5dr Star Silver............................................£5,995 ,6 SXI Ultra Blue............................................................... £6,495 6 SXI 5dr Metro Blue......................................................£9,995 6 SXI 5dr Black Sapphire.............................................. £9,999 6 SXI Sports Hatch Moonland.......................... £10,999


.7 CDTI SXI 5dr Flame Red............................................£8,795 •7CDTI Club Black Sapphire..........................................£7,999 8 Design Auto Star Silver............................................£10,990


,8 SRI 5dr Pannacotta..................................................£10,999 ,8SRI5dr Pannacotta................................................. £10,999 .8 SRI 5dr Exteira Pack Black Sapphire...................£11,995 .8 SRI Exterla Pack Black Sapphire..........................£12,495 ,8 SXI 5dr Prestige Blue......


£5,495


9 CDTI (150ps) SRI Silver Ughtening.....................£12,999 9 CDTI (150ps) SRI Exteria pack Black Sapphire .£13,995 9 CDTI (150ps) SRI Exterla pack Black Sapphire .£13,295 9 CDTI Elite Ultra Blue....... .0 Breeze Black Sapphire.. .0 Club 3dr Flame Red....... .0 Design 5dr Silver Lightening


£12,450 £6,695 £4,295 £5,995


.0 Life 3dr Flame Red............. .?....................................£5,495 I y ■ *


Mul ti point check 12 months Network 0


assistance Never Written Off


06 06 Corsa 1.2 Active 3dr Silver Lightening....... 05 54 Corsa 1.2 Design 3dr Silver Lightening.... 05 05 Corsa 1.2 Design 3dr Silver Lightening.... 06 06 Corsa 1.2 Design 5dr Misty Grey................ 06 06 Corsa 1.2 Design 5dr Metro Blue................ 04 04 Corsa 1.2 Energy 3dr Spearmint silver...... 05 05 Corsa 1.2 Life 3dr Star Silver....................... 06 55 Corsa 1.2 Sxi + 3dr Black Sapphire.......... 05 05 Corsa 1.2 SXI 3dr Lilac 02 02 Corsa 1.2 SXI 3dr Brocade Yellow............. 01 51 Corsa 1.2 SXI 3dr Star Silver....................... 05 05 Corsa 1.2 SXI 3dr Lilac 06 55 Corsa 1.2 SXI 3dr Metro Blue...................... 05 55 Corsa 1.2 SXI 3dr Silver Ughtening............ 05 05 Corsa 1.3CDTI SXI 3dr Ultra Blue.............. 05 55 Corsa 1.3CDTI SXI 5dr Ultra Blue............... 06 06 Corsa 1.4 Auto 5dr Star Silver..................... 06 55 Corsa 1.4 Design 3dr Auto Star Silver....... 06 06 Corsa 1.4 Design 5dr Black Sapphire........ 04 54 Corsa 1.4 SRI 3dr Black Sapphire.............. 06 06 Corsa 1.4 SXI 3dr Black Sapphire.............. 04 54 Corsa 1.8 SRI 5dr Black Sapphire.............. 03 53 Meriva 1.6 Design Aztek Gold..................... 04 04 Meriva 1.6 Design Silver Ughtening............ 06 06 Meriva 1.6 Design Silver bghtening............ 06 06 Meriva 1.6 Design Misty Grey...................... 04 04 Meriva 1.7 CDTI Design Silver Lightening.. 03 53 Meriva 1.8 Enjoy Ultra Blue.......................... 04 53 Meriva 1.8 Enjoy Breeze Blue...................... 03 03 SIgnum 2.0 Turbo Elite Black Sapphire.....


• Mileages history check • Verified Mileage • National vehicle search - can'tseeit-we'Ufindit


..£7,990 ..£6,495 ..£6,490 ..£7,990 ..£7,995 ..£5,695 ..£5,999 ..£7,495 ..£6,995 ..£4,999 ..£3,495 ..£6,590 ..£7,695 ..£7,495 ..£6,995 ..£8,495 ..£8,990 ..£7,999 ..£7,995 ..£7,995 ..£7,990 ..£8,295 ..£6,490 ..£6,999 ..£9,495 ..£8,999 ..£8,490 ..£6,495 ..£6,995 ..£8,495


05 55 Signum 2.2 Design Black Sapphire................................. 05 55 Signum 2.2 Elite Misty Grey.............................................. 06 06 TIgra 1.8 Exclusive Flame Red.......................................... 06 06 Vectra 1.8 Life Estate Star Silver....................................... 05 55 Vectra 1.8 SRI 5dr Metro Blue.......................................... 06 56 Vectra 1.8 SRI 5dr Sat Nav Black Sapphire..................... 06 06 Vectra 1.8 SRI Nav VXR KIT Pannacotta......................... 05 55 Vectra 1.9 CDTI (120ps) Exclusive Estate Misty Grey.. 05 05 Vectra 1.9 CDTI Elite Black Sapphire............................... 05 05 Vectra 1.9 CDTI Energy Energy Blue.............................. 04 04 Vectra 1.9 CDTI Energy Silver Lightening....................... 06 06 Vectra 1.9(150ps) Estate CDTI SRI Silver Lightening.... 06 55 Vectra 3.0 CDTI Elite Estate Digital Green...................... 04 53 Zafirad.6 Active Black Sapphire....................................... 05 55 Zafira 1.6 Club Silver Lightening....................................... 04 53 Zafira 1.6 Club Ultra Blue.................................................... 06 06 Zafira 1.6 Club Ultra Blue.................................................... 04 04 Zafira 1.6 Energy Ultra Blue................................................ 05 55 Zafira 1.6 Life Silver Ughtening......................................... 04 53 Zafira 1.6 Life Star Sliver.................................................... 04 53 Zafira 1.8 Design Auto Ultra Blue...................................... 04 04 Zafira 1.8 Design Auto Star Silver..................................... 06 06 Zafira 1.8 SRI Sliver Ughtening......................................... 05 55 Zafira 1.8 SRI Star Silver..................................................... 06 06 Zafira 1.9 (150ps) CDTI Design Auto Star Silver.......... 06 06 Zafira 1.9 (150ps) CDTI SRI Star Silver.......................... 02 02 Zafira 2.0 DTI Club Krypton Green.................................... 05 55 Zafira 2.0 Turbo SRI Moonland......................................... 06 06 Zafira VXR 2.0 Turbo (240ps) Star Silver.........................


..£11.999 ..£11.999 ..£12.695 ..£10.695


....£9.999 ..£10.995 ..£11.990 ..£10.999 ..£11.490


....£9.999 ....£8.895 ..£12.995 ..£14.995


....£6.999 ..£10.495


....£7.295 ..£10.495


....£8.395 ....£9.999 ....£7.490 ....£7.990 ....£8.999 ..£11.999 ..£11.995 ..£14.995 ..£14.495 ....£6.495 ..£12.495 ..£16.995


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