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17 · Wednesday, June 30, 2010 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.oakvillebeaver.com $ 8 OFF any oil change package Coupon required. Expiry: July,31 2010 Code: 5582 345 Speers Rd. (at Dorval), Oakville 905-842-9299 Valid at all GTA locations. Less is more with the 2010 Smart fortwo Coupe Story and photos Neil Moore Metroland Newspapers Carguide Magazine I've never turned more heads with fewer dollars than while driving the 2010 smart fortwo coupe. During my recent road test, this tiny twoseater probably received more smiles, nods and double takes than any high-end sportscar or convertible I've had the privilege to bring home. I had the impression, however, that some of this attention was a little less envy and more along the lines of "you've got to be kidding," or on the highway, "better you than me bro!" That aside, if you want to get noticed, the smart does the trick, and for a relatively low starting price of $14,990. Of course, that buys a pretty basic car. At this "pure" trim level, you get such features as power windows and locks, multifunction display and AM/FM/CD audio system with auxiliary input, but air conditioning, alloy wheels, Bluetooth and heated seats are extra. Still, you get a pretty decent list of safety items that include anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution and hydraulic brake assist, electronic stability program and four airbags. Driver and passenger are enclosed in what the company calls its "tridion" safety cell, which is made from strategically reinforced, high-strength steel with side and transverse members that distribute energy from an impact over a larger area. Another protective feature is the wheels. With such a short wheelbase and almost non-existent front and rear overhangs, the wheels, suspension and side members take Smart 2010 fortwo Coupe At A Glance: BODY STYLE: Three-door, twoseater, subcompact hatchback DRIVE METHOD: rear-engine, rearwheel-drive ENGINE: DOHC 1.0-litre, inline three-cylinder (70 hp, 68 lb/ft of torque) FUEL ECONOMY: 5.9/ 4.8/ 5.4 litres/100km (city/hwy/combined) PRICE: $14,990 (base); $18,250 (passion); $21,450 (as tested) WEBSITE: www.thesmart.ca Incredibly tiny, but with ample room for two passengers, the 2010 smart fortwo coupe offers superb fuel economy, good maneuverability and the ability to park where other vehicles can't. much of the brunt during a collision. And because the safety cell places the passengers somewhat above the direct danger zone during a side impact, the company claims the smart offers better protection than most small cars. So I climbed in for the first time, realizing my feet were just behind the front bumper and my butt a short distance from the rear license plate, and prayed silently that the car's four star Euro NCAP rating and that fact it exceeds the all US crash regulation requirements will keep me from becoming a hood ornament on a speeding tractor trailer. My tester for the week, based on the upgraded "passion" coupe, was the smart fortwo "edition highstyle" in a trendy shade of chocolate brown. The passion trim level includes such standard features as 15-inch alloy wheels, leather wrapped steering wheel and shifter knob, folding armrest, and much-needed air conditioning, with the added benefit of automatic temperature control. You also get a fixed panoramic roof, with sunshade. This feature sounds like a good idea, but in reality, the massive sheet of polycarbonate can turn the cabin into a toaster oven. On sunny days, I had to keep the A/C running full tilt ­ with the sunshade drawn. I prefer a smaller sunroof that opens, but this feature was dropped with the debut of the smart cabriolet. The "highstyle" package, a $3,200 premium over the passion's $18,250 MRSP, adds seat heating, steering wheel paddle shifters, fog lamps, dash-mounted clock and tach, upgraded 12 spoke 15" alloys and the chocolate brown body panels. The passenger cabin, in a nice mix of fab- ric and leather, is surprisingly roomy. Sure, the smart is a narrow vehicle, and from the driver's side, you can reach over and open the passenger door, but that aside, it feels anything but claustrophobic. And because of this roominess and commanding view of the road, you quickly forget about the smart's diminutive size. This car definitely seems more vulnerable from the outside than it does from within. That is, until you get hit by a blast of wind. Cruising along one of our superhighways, I was starting to get comfortable at typical highway speeds. Sure, there's a bit of wind and road noise inside the cabin, but I've experienced worse in other subcompacts. Then I noticed some debris up front, gusting across the highway and ­ wham ­ the smart was nearly blown sideways. Good thing I had both hands on the wheel. Sure, the smart cuts the wind reasonably well from the front, but this tall, narrow box with tiny wheelbase felt vulnerable to cross Continued on page 19