Facts on the Smart Car
by Dwight MaloneThe Smart Car, officially known as the Smart Fortwo, was originally known as the Smart City Coupe and was rolled out at the 1998 Paris Motor Show. The car is a two-seater with an engine in the rear, and is built by Smart Gmbh, a division of Daimler AG.
Parking
The Smart Fortwo is short enough to allow the driver to back into a parallel parking spot or fit two Smart Fortwos into a standard one-car space.
Semi-Automatic Transmission
The vehicle has a semi-automatic transmission, which means you'll have to shift, but there's no clutch pedal.
Change the Look
The Smart Fortwo has interchangeable plastic body panels, so the color of the car can be changed without repainting it.
Small but Safe
The Smart Fortwo has electronic stability control and seat-mounted combination side airbags.
Size
To celebrate its tenth anniversary and show just how roomy the car is, the manufacturer decided to squeeze 13 gymnasts inside during a promotional campaign.
Writer Bio
Dwight Malone is a journalist who has worked for various Chicago-area newspapers, including the "Chicago Tribune" and "Naperville Sun." He has been a writer, editor and graphic designer since 2000. Malone studied journalism at Eastern Illinois University.