The smart is made for city driving but every now and then, it’s good to get out of the big smoke and let it run free in the rolling hills of the great British countryside.
A smarts
compact size benefits rural driving as it’s perfect for squeezing past an
on-coming tractor down a narrow lane. It is also a master at handling windy corners
and tight hair pin bends thanks to a rear wheel drive transmission that
enhances balance and a Direct-Steer system that keeps steering light.
Without
high-rise buildings to provide shelter from heavy winds, a smart is completely
exposed to any strong, unexpected gusts, particularly out on the open road. The
clever crosswind assist feature on all models will reduce disruption to the
vehicle, countering any threat of drifting off track by applying braking
intervention on the wheels of the wind-facing side, meaning less counter-steering
effort is required from the driver.
The smart
most suited to country driving has to be the cabrio. Roof-down driving is made
for the open country road and the cabrio’s roof can be fully retracted at any
speed, offering panoramic views of sweeping countryside in just 12 seconds. If
you spot the cows lying down expecting rain, the fabric top will close again at
the same speed.
To keep you
on track, a 3D navigation system with maps for the whole of Europe is displayed
on a 7-inch touch-screen display. Included with the smart media system, it’s
great for finding cross-country short-cuts. As it comes with 3 years of LIVE
services for free, there’s no need to worry about it not recognising where you
are, making annoying ‘recalculating’ moments a thing of the past.
Check out our smart offers here and explore the great British countryside in a smart.