Synonymous with the ‘90s, smart cars have been described as a novelty, nifty and... narrow! They are the iconic city car, known for being a parallel parker’s dream but with a revamped version arriving in the noughties, they might be small, but they are certainly mighty.
With an evolving shape and iconic status, we reveal some of the little-known facts about the smart car.
1. The smart car is no longer the lightest car on the market
At one time, the second generation fortwo remained the lightest production car on sale in Europe. However, as small cars arrive in their droves (and smart cars have been given a facelift), the lightest vehicle in the UK currently is either the Citroen Ami or the Caterham Seven, depending on who you speak to!
2. The smart #3 Pro+ was awarded the highest five-star rating by the European Green NCAP
The organisation seeks to evaluate the environmental performance and energy efficiency of new vehicles. In February 2024, the smart #3 received an overall score of 95%, making it a model example for environmental friendliness, energy saving, and carbon reduction in the new energy vehicle sector.
3. The concept for smart cars was dreamt up by a watchmaker!
The Swiss brand, Swatch, are the brains behind the smart car concept. In 1994, Swatch head, Nicolas Hayek, pitched his concept for a small, fashionable, and personalised car, working in partnership with Mercedes-Benz to bring the idea to fruition. In fact – smart stands for ‘swatch mercedes art’!
4. Smart car is owned by Daimler AG – a parent company of Mercedes-Benz
As per fact three, smart is still owned by Mercedes-Benz, although in 2019, Geely Auto, a leading automobile manufacturer based in Hangzhou, China obtained a 50% stake in the production of smart vehicles.
5. In the smart fortwo, the engine is located in the rear rather than under the bonnet
If you’re familiar with the iconic smart fortwo, you may have wondered where the engine (and other main components) could be hiding in such a small vehicle. The fortwo's length totalling a tiny 2695 mm, it’s no surprise that the car manufacturer had to get creative with the engine’s placement, with the engine sitting in the rear of the vehicle. This is largely considered a practical choice rather than a performance-based one.
6. The current lineup of smart vehicles is fully electric
The latest collection of smart vehicles (smart #1 and smart #3) is fully electric. In fact, smart #3 received first place in the What Car? Electric Car of the Year Awards 2024: Best Electric Small SUV. Smart’s dedication to a greener future and sustainability means the roster of new vehicles, including the brand new mid-size smart #5, are electric.
7. Contrary to popular belief, you can’t park a smart car sideways
In the early 2000s, the novelty factor of parking a smart car head onto a curb rather than parallel was rife. However, it’s never truly been confirmed whether this is legal. Certainly, in newer, bigger models this isn’t reasonable but in the smaller fortwo model, the marketing around the city car’s tiny size made squeezing into tiny car parking spots appealing (and entertaining too!) However, in some cities – you can fit two of the older models of the smart fortwo in one space!
8. Smart cars were known for their paint colours
Back in the 90s and early 00s, the novelty factor kicked in for the smart car – opening the world up to a whole host of fun colour combos, limited editions and personalised paint jobs.
9. The smart car is a pop culture icon
The smart car gained a cult following and became a pop culture icon for its quirky design and compact size, often appearing in movies, TV shows, and advertisements as a symbol of urban modernity. In real life, James Bond's Roger Moore had a smart car for driving around Monaco, the car was auctioned off in 2024 along with other parts of his estate after his passing in 2017.
10. The smart fortwo has the world’s smallest turning radius at 7 metres
Perfect for tight city streets! With such a small turning radius, it’s no surprise that the smart car is a first pick for navigating through busy city centres and squeezing into small parking spots.
With the arrival of the smart #5 on the way, we’re celebrating how far smart has come, from its iconic size to its customisable features and revered eco-friendly function – the smart car is not only filled with plenty of fun facts but is a mainstay in the automotive industry too!
Interested in smart? Take a look at our offers to find out more about the brand and its exciting future.