The more miles we did, the clearer the benefits of the new seats and longer wheelbase became. While the current Smart is a surprisingly capable cruiser, the newcomer is more stable, and engineers report it's easier to drive, too. The upmarket cabin is airy and spacious, and while the switchgear and instruments are covered in black tape and test gear, they look and feel far more robust.

So the Smart really has grown up; it's now more downtown than toytown. But will this be enough to save a brand which has needed to fight harder than bosses ever thought it would for each and every sale? The answer won't be known until the newcomer is officially launched in a few weeks.