Paballo Thekiso

FEW YEARS ago, driving on the highway, I saw a Smart car for the first time and thought it was one of those fancy, funny-looking enclosed motorbikes, but at a second glance realised it had four wheels and was in fact a car.

Shocked, I asked my friends in the car, “what is that thing?”

Let me give you perspective. Smart Fortwo was 2.690m in length, 1.560m in width and 1.540m in height.

So if I stood in the centre of the car and stretched my hands, I could almost give it a hug and the car would almost fit in that space.

I remember vowing that I would never drive that “thing” ever in my life.

I even said if I won it in a competition, I would sell it immediately.

A few years later, guess who found himself at the wheel of the new Smart Car? Me.

The vehicle has evolved and has a new enhanced shape which connects better with the eye.

Its width and height didn’t change much, however, this model is almost 4m long.

Smart Forfour is also easier on the eye and kinda funky and

Astylish with its two-tone colour combinations and 15-inch alloy wheels.

The interior and technology makes the driving experience even better.

The light coming in through the panoramic roof brings a happy, dynamic mood into the car.

The new Smart does not have a CD player, but who cares?

Bluetooth, Aux input and USB are enough and are best suited for the market the brand is targeting.

It might be small, but it’s packed with big features such as auto start/stop, a feature not many cars in this segment have.

Distance warning also helps the driver keep a safe following distance to avoid accidents.

It also comes with rain sensors for auto wiping, cruise control and lane monitor control to alert the driver when the car drifts from its lane.

I also liked the modern and retro look, the feel of the air-conditioning