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The Smart ForTwo has been buzzing around Europe since 1998. Made in France by a subsidiary of Daimler-Benz, it resembles an ostrich egg on wheels and arrived here in its second generation this past spring. We're testing a model called the Passion Coupe, a two-seater powered by a 71-horsepower, three-cylinder, 1.0-liter engine coupled to an automated manual transmission. Price: $15,355 including shipping.
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Despite the Smart's size, its high seating position makes you feel as if you're in a small SUV. Oodles of glass and a see-through roof allow good visibility and give a light and airy feel to the interior. The cabin is narrow, so having two people aboard makes for an intimate driving experience. An extremely small turning circle lets you pull a U-turn in a typical driveway.
A car like this should be fun and zippy. Sadly, the Smart is neither. The ride is horrendous, and ...