Mainly because – apart from the badge – there isn’t one.

But make no mistake about it, changes there have been and the car is dramatically better for them.

In fact the new car retains only 30 per cent of the components of the vehicle introduced in 1998, but all of the new bits are under the skin.

SMART obviously took the “if its not broke don’t fix it” attitude, and decided that the trendy little car needed no cosmetic changes. But for the second generation car the company decided it did need to address three areas that had come in for criticism: the ride quality, the gearchange and the tendency to understeer.

All three have now been dramatically improved thanks to modern technology.

The ride quality is dramatically better thanks to the cars being fitted with an Electronic Stability Programme as standard, the only car in this class to get this feature. It means both coupe and cabrio handle dramatically better, with less roll, a smoother ride and far better cornering.

ESP means understeer and oversteer situations are now detected easily and corrected quickly, so the little car now positively encourages you to drive it quicker than before. And when you do, you find this new model is more stable, giving far more confidence to the motorist who prefers a sporting drive

As with the outgoing models the new cars all have automatic gearboxes, with the facility to change manually using a six-speed tiptronic system – move the gearlever forward to change up and back to change down.

The earlier cars, however, had the tendency to lurch slightly each time there was a gear change and when changing manually you had to lift off the accelerator to lessen the affect of this. The new 2003 model has all but done away with this problem and driving is much smoother.

The new cars also come with the kickdown facility normally associated with automatics to allow the driver to drop down a couple of gears quickly, simply by flooring the accelerator pedal hard.

Along with ESP come a host of other features to improve the new SMART.

You get Hydraulic Brake Control, for example, which means a 20 per cent reduction in stopping distances in an emergency. And for those people who might get a little too enthusiastic there is Cornering Brake Control, which prevents things going dramatically wrong if the driver suddenly brakes in mid corner while travelling too fast.

The new generation cars still use three cylinder, turbo-charged engines but there has been an increase in size from 599cc to 698cc for more power and torque. There is now a choice of 54 bhp or 61 bhp units, both with a top speed of 84 miles per hour.

With the 54 bhp engine, full power is available from just 1,800 revs and it will hit 62 mph in 18.3 seconds compared to the 15.5 seconds of its beefier brother.

Another useful feature now fitted as standard to the latest SMART is the hill start assist function, which ensures that after you take your foot off the brake pedal the brakes remain on for 0.7 seconds, allowing you time to move your foot to the accelerator without the car rolling backwards – ideal for learner drivers trying to master hill starts.

Smaller refinements include an interior light which dims slowly as you leave the car and an automatic off function to ensure you don’t leave your headlights on after parking the car.

Prices now range from £6,560 for the 50 bhp city-coupe in “pure” trim to £9,995 for the 61 bhp cabrio in “passion” trim.

The SMART-coupe and cabrio have definitely grown up. Physically they are no larger in size but they are worlds away from previous models in their ride and handling. More refinements mean more comfortable motoring both in city traffic and on the motorway.

To date some 450,000 models have been sold worldwide and some 20,000 in the UK. People obviously like the trendy style and ease of parking but until now not everyone has been sure of their handling.

The changes to the new generation look set to make that a thing of the past.

More Smart Fortwo Information

More Smart Fortwo Information

More Smart Fortwo Information

More Smart Fortwo Information

Despite favourable reports, the cars failed to capture the public imagination, with UK sales of just 6,500 since June 2003. Executives at SMART consider this is not enough to justify continued production.

The last of the right hand drive cars are now up for grabs in the form of special commemorative Finale Editions at £13,990 for the Roadster and £14,690 for the Roadster-coupe.

Powered by an 80bhp engine, they have 17-inch alloy wheels, metallic paint, air conditioning, matching cockpit clock and rev counter, a starter switch in the gear shift lever, sound package, interior contrast components in ‘flow silver’ and an exclusive colour combination on the Roadster of speed silver body panels with black tridion.

The front and rear grilles are in the same colour as the body to make the cars look different from standard models.

Dermot Kelly, managing director of parent company Mercedes Car Group, says: “This could be the last chance for Roadster enthusiasts to buy what is expected to be a sought-after classic.”

This is the first SMART with four seats and five doors; first SMART with a diesel engine in the UK; first manual gearbox in a SMART and featured in the first UK terrestrial TV advertising campaign

Customers can choose from a range of five powerful engines, including two responsive diesel engines built by Mercedes-Benz.

The lively 1.1-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine in pulse trim is available from £8,995, rising to £12,370, for the three-cylinder 1.5 cdi (95bhp) in passion trim.

The range also features a manual gearbox for the first time, while still offering SMART’s softouch automated gearbox as an option.

As well as offering 30 exterior colour combinations, the SMART Forfour’s innovative and versatile interior offers a high degree of functionality combined with the emotional appeal common to all SMART models.

Customers can choose from two design and equipment lines: the entry level pulse version and the top of the range passion model.

In keeping with the high level of innovation customers have come to expect from SMART, all the available engines in the SMART Forfour offer a much higher horsepower from a small cylinder capacity engine, than many of its competitors.

For example the SMART 1.1-litre petrol engine gives the same output as some competitors’ 1.4-litre engines, whilst offering better fuel consumption and lower CO2 emissions.

Since the SMART brand was launched in the UK in 2000, SMART sales growth has been consistent and is currently 15 per cent ahead of last year, before the launch of the SMART Forfour.

SMART Forfour joins the range of SMART fortwo and roadster models to complete one of the most innovative ranges on the market.

More Smart Forfour Information

More Smart Forfour Information

But as sales exceeded all expectations, the model with a huge Mercedes-Benz influence has not only become acceptable, but has even branched out into the convertible field.

In fact, the SMART Roadster supplied for the test drive boasted all the mod cons one might expect from a top-of-the-range model, but at an affordable price – £13,513.

It has all the safety kit expected like Electronic Stability Program, driver and passenger airbags, Hill Start Assist and Hydraulic Brake Assist to name but a few.

But there’s no getting away from the fact that despite the big car features, the car does feel small and somewhat cramped at times, which leaves the driver feeling a little vulnerable, especially when belting along the open road next to monster-sized juggernauts.

That aside, this is a fun-sized vehicle with quite a bit of spark and which boasts great acceleration and road-holding abilities. It has sports seats, a CD player and a leather steering wheel, plus the option of a paddle gear change on the steering wheel or fully automatic driving.

Economically, the SMART Roadster is a wise choice with excellent fuel economy due to its compact size and light weight.

And buyers can even purchase special made-to-measure luggage that fits into the nooks and crannies that pass for storage space.

Despite being a little on the claustrophobic side – especially on a dark, wet and windy day – the little SMART is a fun drive and especially buzzy around town. However after a lengthy spell in the cockpit, a visit to the osteopath is advisable!

FAST FACTS

SMART Roadster

Price: £13,513

Mechanical: 80bhp, 698cc, 3cyl petrol engine driving rear wheels via semi-automatic gearbox

Max speed: 109mph

0-60mph: 10.9secs

Combined mpg: 55.4

Insurance group: 10

CO2 emissions: – 122g/km

BiK rating: 15%

Warranty: 3yrs/ unlimited miles; 6yrs paint; 1yr anti-rust

This is not new because BMC did it in the 1960s with the Vanden Plas Austin 1100. But in the rarified atmosphere of the modern marketplace some quite unusual models come in for the grand treatment.

One such is the SMART Fortwo, the diminutive little car that started life as a bold fashion statement and set the market agape with its bubble-on-wheels approach to everyday driving.

When the SMARTcar fervour died down the market saw this little car being popular to a specific sector and in recent times it has needed a boost to broaden its appeal.

So along came the SMART Fortwo grandstyle, yet another way of expressing your individuality on the road.

This is a SMART with the five-star treatment that comes in three colour combinations including racing green.

But it is in the interior that the luxury touch takes off with beige leather seats and a special flow-silver treatment for components.

The grandstyle entered the market in April and is available in coupe or cabriolet forms. I recently took to the road in the coupe which even includes heated seats and is in the showrooms at £8,480. The cabrio is more expensive at £10,280.

It is available with an optional audio package including a radio and CD player with MP3 connection, enabling the connection of external audio devices, additional speakers and a CD holder.

Life with a SMART is unusual. In the vein of Mr Spock of the starship Enterprise: “It’s motoring but not as we know it.”

With wheels at the extreme corners, a fair sized middle, a sharply cut off rear and hardly any front end, the whole car looks the stuff of story books. But the design does work.

Life and soul of the party is the three-cylinder 61bhp turbocharged engine which, linked to the SMART electronic transmission gives this tiny car punch-in-the-back characteristics from a standing start, although the ‘oomph’ tails off the faster you go.

The almost leisurely 0-62.5 mph figure of 15.5 is correct but does not give an indication of the 0-30mph nippiness of this car. The power cuts in instantaneously and it is wise to be ready for it.

I found that this, the most powerful SMART Fortwo was leaving most family cars behind at traffic lights – but the startled Fords and the like soon swept past as the SMART’s power started to fall away.

It’s probably the most fun town car on the market, is a doddle to park and takes up a tiny amount of space. Everyday driving is a lot of fun with fresh air ducts resembling Daleks keeping the small cabin well-ventilated.

Even for a fairly large person there is ample room inside the SMART. I was surprised how comfortable it is, but boot space is tiny. Just about right for a briefcase and a carrier bag, it would certainly struggle with luggage for two.

I have no problem with the size of the SMART, but I do wish the manufacturer would give it a slick manual gearbox. The electronic sequential-shift/automatic set up it has just does not do this little car justice.

A ‘hill-holder’ for starting the car on a slope without rollback was just too sticky and there was lack of accelerator feel plus slumps of power on automatic gearchanges.

These are are features I found that held this little firecracker back in a very discerning marketplace.Other than that, the SMARTFortwo grandstyle is luxury fun for two on wheels.

FAST FACTS

SMART Fortwo Grandstyle coupe

Price: £8,480

Mechanical: 61bhp, 698cc, 3cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via a 6spd sequential auto gearbox

Max speed: 84 mph

0-62 mph: 15.5 secs

Combined mpg: 60.1

Insurance group: 3

CO2 emissions: 118g/km

BiK rating: 15%

Warranty: 3yrs/unlimited mileage; 6yrs anti-rust

The company says it is for those who want to stand out from the crowd and express their individuality.

It comes in a choice of three colour combinations including racing green metallic. The interior has beige leather trim with heated leather seats and a black leather-effect instrument panel.

Prices are £8,480 for the coupe and £10,280 for the cabrio.

Also available as standard is an audio package including a radio/CD player with MP3 connection, additional speakers and a CD holder.

FORTWO

SMART FORTWO For Sale