The "Smart" Car hits the states in 08
 

I saw these all over italy when I was over there. They are small but roomy on the inside. Have a look at this article.

http://a138.g.akamai.net/n/138/3538/...314/242023.jpg

By Cars.com Staff
Cars.com
February 23, 2007

Vehicle Overview
After years of struggling to commit, Smart says it's finally bringing its tiny ForTwo to the U.S. market. And we mean tiny: The Smart ForTwo is just 106 inches long, more than 3 feet shorter than a Mini Cooper. Park it perpendicular to a Ford Expedition, and its rear end extends just 14.3 inches beyond the Expedition's side mirrors.

Under the auspices of DaimlerChrysler and car dealership mogul Roger Penske, Smart plans to sell the ForTwo in hardtop and convertible form in the U.S. starting in early 2008.

Exterior
This is the second-generation ForTwo. Looking past its size — easy to do because it's so tiny — the Smart features high door sills, bulging fenders and a gaping grille up front.

Plans call for the ForTwo to be sold as both a hatchback and a Cabrio (convertible.) The hatchback opens clamshell-style, which Smart says helps in loading the car. The convertible features a soft top, but it's really more like a fold-down roof section than a full-on ragtop. The doors and a rear roll bar remain upright when the top is down, so there's less of an open-air sensation than you get in other convertibles.

The Smart that is expected to come to our shores is marginally larger than previous models sold in Europe. It gains more than 7.5 inches in length, largely so it can meet tougher European pedestrian-protection standards, provide more rear-impact protection and offer a better ride.

Still, its 106-inch length is paired with a wheelbase of only about 73 inches. Put another way, stand a Smart on its tail, and it's less than 9 feet tall; Shaquille O'Neal could totally dunk on it.

Interior
Smart markets the car as offering an unexpectedly large cabin for its shrink-wrapped size. There is adequate legroom for those approaching 6 feet tall. Headroom is plentiful because the ForTwo is as tall as most compact cars.

With an interior layout aiming to provide plenty of room for its two occupants, the biggest indication you're in a minicar comes from the elements surrounding the seats. The dashboard is crammed with the usual items, leaving it starved for space.

The stereo controls are about as big as those in a compact car, which seems monstrous in the ForTwo. Climate controls are sandwiched between the two central air vents, and the tachometer and analog clock perch near the windshield.

Behind the seats are two storage nets and a tote for the owner's manual, and all three are wedged beneath the rear window.

Under the Hood
Full details have yet to be released, but this much we know: The ForTwo is powered by a 81-horsepower, 1.0-liter three-cylinder and is estimated to get around 40 mpg in combined city and highway driving, but it can only go 90 mph. There are other engine options in the European market, but it's unclear if any of those are destined for the U.S.

Safety
There are a bevy of standard safety features, including four airbags, antilock brakes and an electronic stability system. The Smart has not yet been crash tested by any U.S. safety agency.

Won't they have to bulk up the bumpers for crash safety standards? I know several other cars have had to do this.

they'll crash-test it, it will fail miserably, and won't be allowed in the US. I dunno how well it will sell...

-Steakboy

if it sells for $9000 and gets 45mpg, i'll pick one up :Eyecrazy:

oh and they better keep the user-replaceable plastic side panels, those things rock lol

There is a guy at my office who has one of those, so I am guessing it does pass safety standards. i dont think I would buy one though

IM sure they are pretty durable, they do sell all over europe like hotcakes. If they are under 9 - 10k like zoom said, I will grab one too. I am sure they get hella mileage and I am sure they are awesome for those short trips all over town. Now I would not road trip in that thing but it would make a great daily beater.

It'll be nice as a winter beater/daily commuter. Bonus points because it won't even take up a garage spot - you can probably hang it from a hook in the ceiling like a bicycle.

Version 2 is called Smart ForTwo and the previous generation was designed to be as as good as an E-class MB at the time in gov't crashes. I don't doubt this one is as good or better.

It is on the way to the US and will be priced from $11K to $15K (est.), depending on the model.

what's the top speed? anyone working on a supercharger?

We would be getting the short end of the stick if we got that model.
I want one of these Smart Roadsters:

http://www.mazdamaniac.com/images/misc/smart_1.jpg
http://www.mazdamaniac.com/images/misc/smart_2.jpg


I snapped those in Amsterdam a few years ago.
I figure, with a small turbo and some suspension work, that thing would be an absolute Elise killer.

90MPH or so.

They've been in Canada for some time, I see them everywhere. Cute little grocery-getters, but I wouldn't take one onto the highway. And not really worth the 20k Cdn...

And yes, that roadster is hot. I saw it for the first in Amsterdam too, four years ago. Tiny little beautiful yellow roadster, couldn't for the life of me figure out what it was at the time. Doubt it'll ever make it across the pond though.

I believe i saw an episode of Top Gear where they crashed a Smart Car into a concrete wall at 70mph, and it came out fine. Damage wouldn't be enough to kill you, but maybe break some bones. The car was cleanly intact. Because of its "eggshell" shape it is supposed to be EXTREMELY strong. It could be something else i was thinking of though... :squint:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q91UIYquAW8

The door still opens afterwards... but still... damn.

I've seen one on my way to work before. If people buy prius' im sure they'll buy this as well.

Well the version coming to the US is the 2nd generation, which is much improved but less funky than the original.

It is 40 inches shorter than a Mini--talk about finding parking spaces in crowded urban areas.

Kind of pointless IMO.

If you could get something this size for well under $10k it might be good as a city car, but for $11k-15k price range I'd rather just get a "normal" car like the Fit or Yaris that I could fit more than a toothbrush in and actually drive on the highway.

^exactly, pricing will be a HUGE factor if they want to succeed w/ this car

It is a NICHE vehicle. This car isn't expected to appeal to the entire market.

This vehicle is perfect for city dwellers and singles or couples who want a second car for an urban environment. The car has a max speed of 90MPH and tracks well on the highway. That will get you around the largest metro areas in the US: SF, NYC, LA, Chicago, DC, etc. with no problems. The plus side is great mileage and maneuverability.

everyone seems to miss my sarcasm. where's the sarcastic smilie?

Who cares if you cant go 91MPH when you can squeeze in that parking space between driveways in SF, LA or NYC, while everyone else drives around futilely.

^exactly\

HOLY FUCK THE ROADSTER IS HOT! I know I am late but damn. I want one!

where do u think redline is? lol

2008? Actually they have been for sale here for a couple of months. I think in February one of the local builders was giving one away with each of the first dozen houses he sold. Only the first version is available and it is sold by two different dealerships locally.

Good overview of the car is at http://auto.howstuffworks.com/smart-car.htm

Unlike the RX8 it comes turbocharged standard. :mad: But with 50 or 61 hp.

The trim models are called "Pure, Pulse and Passion", that alone should be enough to earn a gay label. :)

If that car sells for 9-10k the car will sell like hotcakes if the mileage is up near 40mpg. All they'll need to do is run a ad campaign with a shot of long lines and high price's at a gas station and a fleet of Smart's driving by without a worry. After that the car will sell itself. That and the car looks kinda kewl in a odd funky kinda way.

Oh and that Roadster looks like a Smart got it on with a Rx-8 and was raised by TVR.

Thats the first generation. Version 2 is officially being imported here.

I've seen 2 on the roads close to where I live and 1 passed me on the highway a couple of weeks ago (they were in the carpool lane). Cute cars. I hadn't see a pic of the Roadster yet - love it!

I've rented the convertible version of the Smart car in UK twice ... and its really fun to drive. It had paddle shifters too!

Would I buy one? No!

Kev

Saw one driving back from Baltimore today, I was surprised they were "allowed" in the States since I thought SmartCar was still arguing for getting their cars over here. I had seen them before in Italy, and they really are, in my opinion, the only vehicle to have if one lives in Rome, or any other big city. They only take up the space of two scooters or motorcycles, parking would not be as big a problem anymore. I'm not sure I'd drive one on the highway like the one I saw today, it looked out of place and extremely small compared to SUVs, etc. BTW, the car was silver...I'm not saying anything, just that it was silver. Hope it made it home safely.

they have to price it well, other wise id rather buy a yaris

or TWO

appears the version one builder was including with houses had a claimed value of $26K :Eyecrazy: - Way too much http://www.repdx.com/2007/02/12/smart-car/

Other references I have seen claimed start at $12K with $15 real usable for v1 and $20K and $25K for v2. Local dealers don't have v2 yet but claim market is
big enough for both to sell. They will be a different dealers.

I think based on Prius they will sell a few to over paid tree huggers, but not the masses unless gas goes over $5 a gallon.

There's a dealer here in town that sells them.

And the back end of that roadster reminds me strangely of the Fiat X1/9...if anyone remembers those :D

here's a review of the conv. roadster...not a monster car but top gear seemed to like it alot for fun/convience factor...

http://www.car2max.com/video/Top%20G...20Roadster.wmv

definitely not a sports car but I think chicks would love this car...

They've sold them up here in Canada for a while now. They only make some sense if you live in the downtown core, otherwise not worth the money IMO over something like a Yaris.

For attention whores, when they first come out they'll get more attention than a Lambo.

http://www.smart-club.de/smart-life/...03-800x600.jpg
Those are 16 in rims to give you an idea of size. I've spent two months in Greece and these things are all over. We called them gas powered dumpsters as they are about the same size and speed.

9K-15k for this..?? should be like 5k.

I paid $15,700 out the door taxes and all for my 2001 civic hx that averaged 45 mpg over 186,000 miles( and on the trip out to oregon when I gave it to my mom after i bought the rx8 it got 52mpg average over 3,000 miles ). And to think that it( the civic hx brand )got replaced by the civic hybrid which got less mileage and cost more money.

The civic is coming back to my anyways now it's got 215,000 on it and still doing 40+ mpg at 6,000 feet on shiity cali gas.

Wait a minute, I thought these cars were already being sold in the US. You can see a bunch of them around here. I see at least 1 almost daily. And from what I heard they go for under 9K.

They allow these tiny electric Zap Xebra thingies in the U.S., but I think technically they are considered three-wheel motorcycles.


http://www.resourcesforlife.com/grou.../zap-xebra.jpg

OooOOO I want one

Looking up at the website it seems like they are going to price them way beyond what any body guessed here.

smart fortwo pure
starting under $12,000*

smart fortwo passion
starting under $14,000*

&

smart fortwo passion cabrio
starting under $17,000*

The passion cabrio has all the features of the passion coupe plus an upgraded radio and sound system that includes an mp3 compatible in-dash 6 CD changer. The main difference lies in the soft top with a heated rear glass window that is fully automatic and can be infinitely adjusted to any position while driving at any speed. For the full cabrio experience, simply remove the side roof bars - taken out in no time - and stow them in a special compartment in the tailgate.

The last one is the price of a used 8, lol

They are all over the place up here in Canada, I see them daily (and many of them daily). Its so damn small it just makes you laugh :cwm27: but I believe it claims 56mpg on like $17 worth of fuel or something crazy like that... 7.5ft long if I am correct? Could park 2 of them in a standard parking spot.

For a highway commuter like me, this would be the perfect little car.. all I need is a seat and a steering wheel and save the 8 for when I need to feel a little zoom. :ylsuper:

Unfortunately they stopped producing them.
The Roadster version didn't seem to sell as well as hoped for. The most powerful version (Brabus) only had 100 hp and the semi-automatic gearbox doesn't shift quite as promptly, so my guess is that most 'sportscar enthusiasts' weren't interested in it.
The engine had a displacement of only 0.7l. So 100 hp out of this small engine was already slightly pushing it (same power density as a stock Evo).

The Yaris is the last subcompact I would get. blech

Mazda 2, Fit or Versa first.

WTF, $17k for the cabrio? For just a little more you can get a base MX-5 which will seem like a rocket in comparison.

Saw one of these in downtown DC last week. It was painted/vinyled with some advertisement, but I was too far away to see the ad. Kinda cute. Great for someone living downtown where space is at a premium.

Had them here for years, they are a laugh every time I see the 2 for.

If you want a suitcase on wheels...go for it!
How safe I would feel in one is another matter again.

IMO a giggle car....surely you can't be serious!

do we seriously need a car smaller than an insight?

I saw one driving on Chimney Rock today. I don't know if it was a tester, or an import (I didn't get to see License plate or which side the steering wheel was on.) Wouldn't be the first Smart Car I have seen in the US though.
Bruce Weiner has had one for a couple of years over near Covington, GA.