One will probably still be allowed to dream
There are convertibles where it gets so warm around the heart that the temperatures do not matter. Even if the wind still sweeps around the head so unhindered. But nobody has to freeze in the new Smart Forease, but there is another reason.
It is only four degrees, the sky is gray and clouded with clouds and every moment it starts to rain. There is much better weather for a convertible tour than this November afternoon. But what nature does not get, that's what fantasy has to do. After all, one will probably still be allowed to dream. And in hardly a car is that as easy as in the Smart Forease, which is now ready for the maiden voyage eight weeks after the premiere at the Paris Salon.
The warmth that comes with being equally warm may also be due to the protective instinct that goes hand in hand with the tiny format - even if the Smart with its new, unusually stabbing LED headlamps and wide jaws no longer serves the childish scheme, the first generations still too own. In any case, the Forease is certainly not cute.
The inner warmth is therefore mainly due to the blissful memories evoked by the open two-seater. After all, the Forease is a modern homage to the blissful Smart Crossblade, with which the Swabians stole the show from some open sports cars over ten years ago.
Just like back then, the designers have left out pretty much everything that keeps out wind and weather and could alleviate the sensory stimuli: there is no roof or side windows and even the windscreen shrinks to a better wind deflector. However, it is shaped so that not only the wind rushes through the curls, but also claps every fly in the face. Even if it is difficult to contain the grin, it is better to keep your mouth closed.
Shortly thereafter, however, the parallels with the Crossblade stop again. For where in the rear still a three-cylinder gedötert, the Forease electrically buzzes through the jungle of the city - after all, under the handmade showcar body is the technology of the conventional Smart EQ.
81 PS and 160 Nm - for a normal convertible that may be a little bit. Just like the 130 km / h top speed. And with 17,6 kWh battery capacity and 160 kilometers range, you literally do not get far. But first, the little Stromer is a champion at least at the traffic lights and has more than enough opportunities in city traffic to prove that. And secondly, the perception shifts in the Foresase: If you sit almost naked in the wind, you do not want to drive faster. And heart warmth, sunny mood ago - at least on a gray November afternoon, one is very happy, if after an hour the battery is empty and you can warm up a little while charging.
Also: What the Forease may lack in dynamics and range, he makes up for it with fresh air and driving pleasure in the city crowd. And with the proximity to his environment, which he gives you. Right in the middle instead of just being there is the motto and not even the rattle of the three-cylinder bothers this time the eventual overstimulation. No more than the smell of burned gas, of course.
Much more than in the normal convertible, which is basically just a smart with a large sunroof, you have in the turmoil of the big city the feeling that you are now even closer. Especially in narrow streets of the old town. And those who surf through the dense traffic with a deep focus and a fast traffic light sprint feel more than ever reminded of a bumper car on the fairground. Only that in the Smart not every few minutes a new chip must be thrown.
As similar to the Forease is the Crossblade of yore in design and character, there are, however, next to the electric drive yet another crucial difference: While one of 2.000 copies were built, the other is so far a unique piece and a small series as then is not an issue. Not yet. Because next summer is coming. And one will probably still be allowed to dream.