Sunshine is known to make you in a good mood and this is especially true in spring, when the sun finally breaks through after dull winter smudged capers. The mood continues to grow when you see a vehicle like that Smart Fortwo convertible has available. The small mobile sunbed costs in conjunction with the 66 kW / 90 PS strong three-cylinder turbo at least 16.550 Euro, but still allows up to two people to enjoy the power of the sun.
Before enjoying, however, is first a deep breath in the face of the prices called. Even the normal two-seater is not a special offer. For the convertible you have to spend a good 4.500 Euro more than for the comparable motorized coupes. Even for the variant with the smaller engine (52 kW / 71 PS) Smart still requires 15.655 Euro. And of course it is not done at the respective base price. A better equipment variant, here a check mark in the climate navigation multimedia package, there a checkmark for paint colors and LED lights, not to forget the six-speed DSG and very quickly the 20.000 Euro mark is exceeded.
The deep breathe easier when you sit in the car, enjoying the beautiful atmosphere and operated the switch for the hood. At the touch of a button, the fabric layers go back, fold neatly together in the rear and first convertible feelings emerge. The term "convertible" is not entirely correct, since it is only a roll roof, but does not detract from the sunny feeling. If you want you can even remove the roof bars and stow them in the tailgate. But you do not have to, especially in still unstable spring weather, it is quite convenient to be able to quickly close the roof again.
The sun is shining, the roof is open - and off you go. By pressing a button, the three-cylinder comes to life. He announces his joie de vivre loud and clear - by the way, even with the top down - and sprints on a light gas command. You could also say that he goes off like Schmidt's cat. The 90 PS transforms the two-seater into a small projectile. The six-speed DSG (surcharge: 1.075 Euro) does the power transmission to the rear wheels supple and, above all, jerk-free. The former standard nodding of the occupants, triggered by the then automated manual transmission, belongs to the past. Meanwhile the wind blows refreshingly around nose and eyes. The hairstyle is then guaranteed no longer, but makes a wide grin on the face wide.
The turbo encourages to accelerate with its sprint joy. You can easily swim in traffic on the highway. At 155 km / h, however, the electronics switch on regulatingly and ensure that propulsion ends. It would have felt like there was still some room for improvement here. Of course, the only 2,70 meter long Smart shows its advantages best in an urban environment. The tiny one is hard to beat when looking for a parking space. Gaps that you would have to leave on the right or left even with a small car - they fit here. Then there is the maneuverability. Its turning circle is only 6,95 meters, turning on the street in a train is part of everyday life and always amazes other road users. His preferred locations also include narrow, spiral entrances and exits from parking garages. You just dash it up (and down), the thick ship in the stern is already suspended at the level of the first parking deck. The first free parking space has already been found ten levels higher and is already on the way to the stairwell before the unwieldy vehicle turns the corner. The grin then takes up the full width of the face at the latest.
The shortness of the Smarts, however, also has disadvantages. No, it's not about the space available for the inmates. This is more than okay, even longer people are accommodated here comfortably. Even at the Armfreiheit there is nothing more to complain about thanks to a width of 1,66 meters. The trunk holds between 260 and 340 liters, in other words two boxes of beer or (!) Two boxes of water fit easily into it. No, that means the short wheelbase. It makes every unevenness visible, but it is very common in streets that have so-called paving. Speak about soil elevations of a variety of execution techniques that should encourage motorists to slow down. With the smart one actually rumbles about this best at a crawl.
If you can make friends with the high initial cost of the Smart Fortwo convertible, makes the automobile dwarf almost only joy. However, one grin has passed us by: one's consumption is far too high. The standard consumption of 4,2 liters was more than clearly exceeded. On average, 7,3 liters flowed through the pipes. In terms of price and consumption, the Smart is a big one, unfortunately. (Elfriede Munsch / SP-X)