it's really quick up to about 40 mph it'll beat most cars actually
btw Nick that's the old smart model the new one sold in the states now has an even higher Euro NCAP crash rating
it's so safe because of the patented Trition safety cell. A buddy of my dad once crashed with his 90s Golf convertible into a Smart at about 50 kph. Smart driver walked away with a scrath on the hand while the Golf driver was taken to Hospital with a severly fractured leg (broken 9 times)
but in the end the smart is of course not the safest car and I wouldn't want to drive it in the States where in a crash the "opponent" car will weigh about 3-4 times more
edit: some fun links
Smart w/ Hayabusa engine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPQIi...eature=related
Smart vs ferrari F430
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5S1N...eature=related