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  • Road Test: Smart Forfour (2004-)
    Superminis by: Farah Alkhalisi
    Smart Forfour (04- )
    PERFORMANCE RATING:

    All three petrol engines are nice and lively. In many ways, the three-cylinder 1.1 (75bhp) is the optimum choice: not only will it be the cheapest, it's a more than adequate performer with plenty of go on the motorway and lots of zip around town, though it could struggle five-up with a full load. Indeed, the 1.3 hardly seems to offer much more despite its extra cylinder, though it's slightly quieter at high speeds, and it does come with the option of the six-speed clutchless transmission (more on this later). The 1.5 is considerably torquier, with more power mid-range for overtaking and in-gear acceleration and a relaxed approach to motorway cruising, though if most of your driving's around town, it's probably a superfluous extra expense as it doesn't feel much quicker off the mark and away from the lights at city speeds. Both the diesels (68 bhp and 95 bhp) are versatile all-rounders, with plenty of torque and flexible pulling power; again, as with the petrol engines, if most of your driving's urban, the lesser-powered version's perfectly adequate. This actually feels more laid-back than the tuned-up variant, and is quiet, smooth and refined.

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