Am I the only one who thinks that there’s something redeemable about the Smart ForFour? The four-door compact car hasn’t been as well-received as Smart would’ve liked, but it still has some qualities about it that make it an appealing choice for urban-goers. Say what you will about the ForFour, but you can’t deny that it has enough merits to warrant a special edition model, which is exactly what we’ll be getting when Smart brings the ForFour Crosstown Edition at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show.

I get the skepticism about the car; I really do. I get it that people think that it’s still too small for their liking. I get it that it’s still hilariously underpowered. I even get it that the car hasn’t changed much since the second-generation model was launched in 2014. All fair points, but give credit to Smart for not only soldiering on with the ForFour, but for also doubling down on it with the Crosstown Edition.

As you can expect, the special edition ForFour features a wide range of enhancements and packages, all of which were added to give the ForFour an exclusive look to it that the model rarely gets. Think of the ForFour Crosstown Edition then as a Smart catalog on four wheels that’s meant to showcase a lot of the equipment and appointments that usually come as added options on standard models.

The special edition ForFour doesn’t have any engine enhancements, so don’t expect anything in that regard. But there are some notable features elsewhere around the car, and in the absence of anything exciting happening under its modest hood, Smart makes up for it with some interesting upgrades both inside and outside of the ForFour Crosstown Edition.

So give it a look. You might end up liking it.

Continue reading to learn more about the Smart ForFour Crosstown Edition

2017 Smart ForFour Crosstown Edition

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2017 Smart ForFour Crosstown Edition
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

What makes the Smart ForFour Crosstown Edition so special?

No, that’s not a trick question, contrary to what some of you might think. See, I mentioned the word “redeeming” in the intro section for a reason. The ForFour, for all intents and purposes, isn’t exactly the kind of car you’d have posters of on your wall, especially if you’re into gas-guzzling power and performance. But the ForFour Crosstown Edition makes a good account of itself because Smart made sure this Geneva-bound offering is dripping in features.

First, there is the choice of exterior colors to choose from that Smart somehow forgot to mention in its press release, although it did say that the world premier model that will be in Geneva will be dressed in a fancy Graphite Grey body finish with a Black Tridion safety cell. Never fear because we took a peek at the Smart website and saw that there are a bunch of color options to choose. These include the standard solid paint options (Black, White, Red) and two-tone metallic finishes (Black-To-Yellow, Cool Silver, Cadmium Red, Hazel Brown, Lava Orange) that come with an extra cost. Smart didn’t say which of these color schemes are available for the ForFour Crosstown Edition, but that shouldn’t be too much of a problem once the cars hit dealerships later this year.

Now let’s move on to what makes the ForFour Crosstown Edition deserving of the special edition label. It all boils down to the array of packages it’s carrying with it. First, there’s the LED and sensor package, which comes with H4 halogen headlamps, integral LED fiber-optic daytime driving lights and LED tail lamps, fog lamps with cornering lights, and rain and light sensors. They may not amount to anything special aesthetically, but from a purely functional point of view, this package is a welcome addition to the ForFour Crosstown Edition. Functionally, Smart added unique detachable parts, including underride guards on the front and rear of the car to go with new side skirts on the sides. Put together, they do make for a sportier looking ForFour that would’ve probably gone next-level if there was a big spoiler at the back.

Another useful package that’s been added into the ForFour Crosstown Edition is the Urban Style package, arguably the most comprehensive add-on that Smart has on offer for the ForFour. For the exterior, the upgrades largely revolve around rear wheel arch liners and a new set of 16-inch Y-spoke R95alloy wheels fitted with 185/50 R 16-sized tires at the front and 205/45 R 16 tires at the back.

Move to the car’s interior, and the Urban Style package is also heavily involved, particularly with the addition of a leather-wrapped, three-spoke multifunction sports steering wheel that also comes with gray topstitching. The other noticeable highlight of this package are the brushed stainless steel sports pedals with rubber studs.

It’s a good thing too Smart also paid careful attention to giving the ForFour Crosstown Edition a well-rounded audio and entertainment system, thanks in part to the company’s Cool & Audio package. It adds, among other things, an AUX/USB interface to go with the Smart Audio-System, Bluetooth interface with a hands-free system, and audio streaming anytime somebody wishes to transfer music into the car. The package also comes with automatic climate control, a feature you don’t normally see in compact cars, let alone a Smart ForFour.

Fittingly, Smart finished off its interior upgrades for the ForFour Crosstown Edition with, ironically enough, a package dedicated to stowage space. Yes, a car that’s notoriously tight inside gets a lockable glove compartment, a stowage net on the center console, and a retaining strap that allows passengers a place to stow or secure their items.

They’re admittedly not the most comprehensive packages out there, but put them all together, and you’re looking at something that actually looks the part of a special edition, even if it doesn’t drive like one.

Ah yes, the engine, otherwise known as the scourge of all things created by Smart. It’s not entirely the company’s fault because its cars are packaged to be small, light, and city-specific where elements like power and speed aren’t as coveted as agility and all-around nimbleness. So if you’re interested in the ForFour Crosstown Edition, you need to understand that particular caveat.

You can nice aero and aesthetic work on the car, but by and large, it’s still going to go as far as its 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine takes it. That powertrain is good for just over 70 horsepower and 90 pound-feet of torque. Don’t even bother with the performance times, although if you want to know, the ForFour can (eventually) hit 60 mph in an astonishing long 16.7 seconds. Its top speed is 94 mph.

Drivetrain Specifications

Model

Smart For Four

Power

70 horsepower

Torque

90 pound-feet

0 to 60 MPH

16.7 seconds

Top Speed

94 mph


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Read our full review on the Smart ForFour here.