Autoblog UK

Even the boldest of optimists could not have predicted that the Smart Fortwo would become such a hit on the American market. Astronomical fuel prices and a dearth of thrifty models were the factors behind this surprising success for Smart in the USA.

They had forecast sales of 15,000 units in the first year. But with 25,000 vehicles now sold, they have easily exceeded their target. Much of this success is due to the endeavours of Roger Penske. Not only has Penske enjoyed huge success with his vehicles in various US race series, but he is also the only major Smart wholesaler in the USA. There are a total of 74 dealers in 35 states displaying the Smart in their showrooms.

This year, they are set to be joined by nine more. All the more surprising is the fact that these excellent sales figures have been achieved without any TV advertising. Penske is expecting similar results for 2009 – thanks mainly to the price of a gallon of fuel.

The main thing that speaks in favour of the Tata Nano is its price tag of US $ 2,500. This is what you would otherwise have to shell out for a Honda Civic with around 140,000 miles on the clock. So what do you in fact get for the price of a rather expensive lawn mower? A car! Yes, a car with some 33 HP and a four-speed gearbox! If the driver floors it for 17 seconds, he'll get to an impressive speed of just under 60 mph.

Should he have the brazen cheek of also putting a passenger and a heavy load of shopping on board, then he'll just have to dream of the top speed.

However, there are a few extras: the luxury version offers a radio and air conditioning. But if you want to go for both extras, you'll have to make do with 50 mph. On reflection, the Honda Civic is not such a bad car.

Actually, the C1 didn't need a facelift. The little dear hasn't been on the market all that long (2005).

Nonetheless, the decision was taken in France to smarten up this member of the triplets spawned in cooperation with Peugeot and Toyota, and it certainly hasn't done the C1 any harm.

So what have they done? Well, the already eye-catching air intake is mow chrome plated and has been re-jigged just like the rest of the front. The side profile and tail remain untouched. "Never change a winning team" is a guiding principle that we ignore at our peril. And with 310,000 of the C1 having been purchased by an appreciative public, it is quite understandable that the design team were sparing with their pen and ink. It will be interesting to see how soon the Aygo and 107 come in for a revamp.

According to Suzuki, the new Alto is supposed to radiate casual urban mobility. OK. It's a nice idea but probably the last description that would occur to me on seeing the new midget from the Suzuki stable. It reminds me a bit of the C1, 107, Aygo Trio. Diminutive yet still with five doors. The rear windows only open outwards, though, just as with its three main rivals.

Apart from that, there is little that would suggest this particular model is a Suzuki. Somehow or other, Suzuki have failed to establish an identity of their own. Everything is all too mistakable for something else. The Splash, Swift and Alto have absolutely nothing in common with each other. At least as far as styling is concerned. The Alto takes its motor from the Splash. The 65bhp on offer from the basic diesel should be enough for a 'casual urban' drive. We just have to hope that the price is within reasonable bounds (which I'm assuming anyway).

At last, a suitable run-about for the casual and urban single woman.