Wise ForTwo Review, Auto Express
Wise ForTwo review
Possessor reviews
Brainy’s dinky ForTwo has become a modern-day automotive icon that’s recognisable around the world. Now in its third generation, it’s more mature, more useable and safer than it’s ever been, but hasn’t lost too much of the spirit of the original.
What used to be a noisy and impractical car has now grown up, suggesting quieter and more powerful engines and reasonable convenience, but with the same incredible urban practicality and rock-bottom running costs. Those looking for four seats can also attempt the similarly designed but more spacious ForFour.
While it still makes a powerful style statement, the fresh Wise has perhaps lost a little of the stand-out originality that attracted owners to earlier versions – while the joint-venture development programme with Renault’s Twingo is evident from the driving seat, too. It’s not particularly cheap, either, with a raft of four or five-seat city cars available for less.
The original Brainy ForTwo arrived in the late 1990’s, and from the hype it generated you’d have expected that almost two decades later all of us would be driving them. In two thousand sixteen things aren’t fairly at that level, but the ForTwo has still been fairly popular – over 100,000 examples of the very first and second-generation models have found homes since 1997.
The latest-generation model has up a bit, and is broader than its predecessor. It’s still the same length, however – and retains the previous models’ capability to park nose-on to the kerb. A more defined ‘bonnet’ (the engine is under the boot) and more interior space gives the car a slightly more conventional feel – something that couldn’t be said about the old model.
As well as the two-door ‘coupe’ version tested here (it’s indeed a two-seat hatchback), Brainy also offers a convertible model that debuted at the two thousand fifteen Frankfurt motor display but it’s the hard top we’re focusing on here.
Under the skin, the ForTwo uses a shortened version of the same platform (the car’s underlying architecture) that you’ll find underneath the fresh Renault Twingo. The longer version is used for the four-door Wise ForFour, which is built alongside the Twingo at Renault’s Slovakian factory, while the ForTwo is built separately at Daimler’s ‘Smartville’ factory in France.
In all cases, the rear-engined platform offers an identically amazing sub-seven metre turning circle, permitting the cars to virtually pivot on the rear wheels to give seamless manoeuvring around town.
Two sub-one litre, three-cylinder rear-mounted petrol engines are available, both collective with the Twingo and with promised fuel economy in excess of 67mpg and CO2 emissions below 100g/km. You can opt for a six-speed, dual-clutch automatic gearbox over the standard five-speed manual.
Running costs can be diminished further, too as Brainy has launched a fresh electrified version of the both the hard-tip and cabriolet ForTwo. It’s electrified motor develops 81bhp and EV is claimed to be able to cover just under one hundred miles on a single charge.
The ForTwo’s cabin offers further widespread switches from the old model. A downright fresh dash is made up of textured fabrics, with top-spec models boasting a fresh seven-inch floating infotainment screen. Heated seats, handy storage cubbies, a panoramic roof and cruise control are all available to buyers, depending on their choice of Passion, Prime and Proxy trim levels.
Engines, spectacle and drive
Giant developments underneath the surface make the ForTwo more engaging but still comfy to drive. Clever has successfully addressed the two thickest issues with its city car: the rail and the refinement.
The fresh chassis brings with it more sophisticated suspension – with some elements from the front axle being taken from the Mercedes C-Class compact executive saloon– so the ForTwo is no longer troubled by slightly worn tarmac. It’s more cushioned and compliant on the stir, albeit still a way off the best superminis due to its brief wheelbase.
The jerky and slow robotized manual gearbox, which plagued the old model, has now gratefully been ditched. In its place is a five-speed manual or optional (£995) six-speed dual-clutch auto. It’s worth stumping up the extra cash for the auto as it makes this agile little city car even more upbeat and reactive ove the gooey five-speed manual version.
The engine now thrums rather than wheezes and the gearchange is far smoother. The 89bhp turbo engine directives a premium of around £700 over the 70bhp 1.0-litre motor, but we think it’s well worth the cash. It isn’t the most refined in its power delivery, but it’s far better suited to out of town driving, permitting you to keep up with faster-moving traffic.
The rear engine and rear-wheel drive setup has been employed to maximize practicality rather spectacle. Around the city it’s exceptionally nimble and the 6.95m turning circle is the smallest of any car on sale. It’s a fat benefit when you have to navigate taut city streets or make impromptu u-turns on narrow roads.
Out of its convenience zone the ForTwo does still fight. Rivals at this price point are far more capable on quicker roads and more comfy. Wind noise is excessive due to the slab-sided bod and the engine pulls almost Four,000rpm at 70mph. What’s more, on twistier roads, the weight over the rear axle results in alarmingly light steering, permitting very little confidence if you embark to thrust on. The Skoda Citigo and Hyundai i10 are more joy to drive.
The ForTwo electrical drive retains most of the standard car’s habits but the instantaneous shove of the electrical motor makes it even more joy to drive in town. It’s much quieter and smoother than either of the petrol models, too. In the real world, a range of around seventy miles also looks achievable.
