Smart, the tiny town car with a big personality, is slowly growing up.
A decade on from its launch, Smart is still with us, despite doom and gloom predictions from sceptics who said it would never survive.

And the new generation Smart fortwo overcomes many of the original criticisms. It's still instantly recognisable – a one-box, two-seat design with the striking tridion safety cell, plastic body panels and all.

But it has considerably stretched out, being a noticeable 19.5cms longer, with more passenger and boot space. It even has mini front 'wings', giving the quirky urban runaround a more sharply defined shape.

And Smart is always going to be young at heart. No other car has such a youthful clientele, with 85 per cent of buyers under 40 and 770,000 first generation fortwos built since 1998.

Current Smarts have also taken steps to overcome the biggest drawbacks of being underpowered and suffering slow and cumbersome auto gearboxes.

The little three-cylinder engine now has a 1.0-litre capacity, delivering 61bhp, 71bhp or 84bhp, and there's a new automated five-speed gearbox from Getrag, with a maximum speed of 90mph available – 6mph more than the previous model.

And the more powerful engine is a great improvement – it pulls well and storms along happily when you ask it serious questions, or trundles happily around town – its more natural environment.

The five-speed autobox is also undoubtedly better than its predecessor, which was embarrassingly slow to react and often went hunting around uncertainly for the gears.

But it's still not the smoothest unit around and if you need more direct control, it's handy to be able to choose sequential mode and move the gears more manually.

For what it does and where it does it, no other car comes near. The fortwo is superbly manoeuvrable, with a tight turning circle, can be parked in impossibly small spaces (almost sideways, in some cases) and is perfect for the nip and tuck of town traffic.

Smart's handling is also surprisingly good, with steering that bites hard with plenty of feel, stubborn adhesion through the bends and a determination not to be knocked off course in the straight-ahead position.

But the down side is a wearing, hard and bumpy ride that makes long-distance trips hard work.

Smart retains the clever pop-up hatch rear window to simply drop goods through or you can just release the rear door down for full access – it holds a few bags OK.

Despite the much-needed improvements I still have my criticisms. The test car's brakes needed a real shove to work; doors still have to be wrenched open and slammed shut; some cockpit displays are unlit at night, while the digital information is drably presented.

Surprisingly, my daughter, who is just 5ft 2ins tall, just couldn't get a comfortable driving position, with her knees pressed up against the dashboard ledge, as there just isn't enough seat adjustment available. It was her dream car but now she has to think again.

Yes, the Smart fortwo still has irritating drawbacks, not least of which is that it's expensive and there are cheaper four-seaters around.

But the fortwo has carved itself a special niche market and won a global audience of admirers for whom it can do no wrong. After all, don't we all just love a flawed genius?

Factfile:

• New generation Smart fortwo has longer wheelbase and slightly larger body, with more powerful engines and improved auto gearboxes.


• Smart fortwo now sold in 36 countries worldwide, with more than 770,000 first generation models built since 1998. To be sold in USA for first time this year.


• New three-cylinder engines deliver 61bhp, 71bhp or 84bhp.


• All engines linked to new automated five-speed transmission from Getrag.


• Despite greater engine power, the 84bhp model canreturn 57.6mpg.


• Luggage compartment can now hold 220 litres – 70 litres more than before – and when loaded up to the roof, there is space for 340 litres.


• Lower part of boot can be used as mini platform to help loading and unloading.


• New head/thorax side airbags offer extensive protection.


• Equipment variants are pure, pulse, passion and BRABUS.


• Standard equipment includes ESP, ABS and integrated brake assist.