Archives

The SMART Story, the Car, and the Details. (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/in-the-news/t-detroit-auto-show-2007-smart-fortwo-the-right-car-at-the-right-time-3266.html)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/549/News_08_Smart_Fortwo.jpgWayne Gerdes/Tom Baleno/Rich Krueger - CleanMPG.com (www.cleanmpg.com) - Dec. 7, 2006

In 1989 Nicolas G. Hayek, the inventor of the Swatch clock, announced that he wanted to bring a small city car to the market. For a fast and successful conversion, Hayek goes on the search for an experienced partner. With the creative strength of Swatch and the hundred-year experience in automotive engineering of Mercedes Benz, a joint venture was formed. This venture led to a unique vehicle and automotive brand, The SMART.

The SMART Fortwo has been available in Europe for almost 8 years with over 770,000 sold since inception. Canada has also had Smart ForTwo availability with a number of interesting engine options including a European sourced small turbo-diesel. For 2008, the US consumer will finally have the opportunity to purchase and own what was has become to be known as one of the most practical city cars made today. That being the Smart Fortwo.

What makes this small car so city practical? Its size of course! According to Smart, people make faster progress through an urban environment in smaller cars. In cities, cars are driven for fewer than 18 miles per day on average with as much as half the actual driving time spent circling around looking for a parking spot. Having the ability to park in the smallest of parking spaces makes this vehicle that much more convenient for those of us who have had to perform the parking spot run around which in fact is most of us at some time or another. Not only does its small size ease its real world footprint in terms of actual dimensions, it has a minimal footprint in terms of its environmental impact as well. With an SULEV rating for SMOG based emissions and high city FE leading to low CO2 emissions, the Smart Fortwo may be an answer for the “needs” of many city dwellers who desire a minimum of waste as well as the “want” for fun in that same automobile.

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/549/08_Smart_Fortwo_Tridion_Safety_Cel.jpgTridion Safety Cel.

The first question we had to ask was “Is a car this small safe?” The answer to that question may come from it’s the long list of standard safety equipment. This includes ABS (Anti-lock Brakes), ESP (Electronic Stability Program), integrated hill start assist function, integrated hydraulic brake assist, Belt tensioners, belt-force limiters and most important of all, front, and a combination side/side curtain airbags for both driver and passenger. For the 2008 release, the Smart Fortwo is 8” longer then its predecessor for increased crush space and control. The safety cell called “Tridion”, has longitudinal and transverse members that activate the crumple zone of the other vehicle involved in the accident and distribute the impact energy evenly over the car’s body. Finally, given its size, it has a unique and considerable advantage over most others in the event that you were involved in a side collision; the Smart’s relatively short wheelbase of 73.5 inches almost guarantees the other car will hit an axle, which can then absorb a large part of the impact energy.

What about its environmental performance? This next generation of Smart Fortwo will use an advanced, SULEV rated, Mitsubishi designed, 1.0L 3-cylinder–power plant with an expected EPA city/highway combined rating of 40 mpg. A small, environmentally friendly and fuel conscious automobile with a very unique appearance has the makings for a great city car.

Another unique aspect of the Smart is Color. The SMART Fortwo is available in a bright black, yellow and white or metallic blue, red or silver as of this write-up. If you ever tire of your SMART’s current color, the polycarbonate body panels can be swapped for another color from the list above for < $1,000!

Three models will be offered in the US including the “Base”, the “Well Equipped”, and the “Cabriolet - Well Equipped” (convertible). Expect the base to be priced at a touch over $15,000 including destination. The “Base” will more then likely include steel wheels and windows, locks and mirrors with manual controls. The “Well Equipped” should include Alloy wheels, A/C w/ auto temp control, leather wrapped steering wheel, a see-through polycarbonate roof w/ an included black blind, matching color fabrics for the dash, knee pads and door trim, PW, PL, PM’s, fog lights, additional storage in the tailgate and a luggage compartment cover including a net bag.

The Smart Fortwo may be yet another right car choice at the right time for the right individual?

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/549/Smart_Fortwo_-_guide_Russell_Smolik.jpg
SMART Product Representative at the 2007 NAIAS - Russell Smolik

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/549/08_Smart_Fortwo_Interior_Instrument_Cluster.jpghttp://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/549/08_Smart_Fortwo_Exterior.jpg
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/549/08_Smart_Fortwo_Interior_Seating.jpghttp://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/549/08_Smart_Fortwo_Exterior_Headlight.jpg
Interior view ---------------------------- Exterior highlights

The exact specification list for the US based model of the Smart Fortwo has yet to be released.

There's no doubt that this car is cute as a button. But for the price and FE, I have to wonder if a Fit or a Yaris would be a better pick. Both of the latter get *almost* 40 MPG, but seat four, and are both have "base" models for $15k (and the "base" Fit has quite a lot of included features).

There's no doubt that this car is cute as a button. But for the price and FE, I have to wonder if a Fit or a Yaris would be a better pick. Both of the latter get *almost* 40 MPG, but seat four, and are both have "base" models for $15k (and the "base" Fit has quite a lot of included features).

For a commuter vehicle, I like the idea of the SMART. The combined EPA is 40, so in the hands of a Hypermiler, "highway" values could exceed 50. SULEV status and the 1.0L 3-cylinder (albeit from Mitsubishi) is also promising. I'd like the see the clean-Diesel variant, though.

Most likely, it'll be a fashion statement more than a popular gas miser. I asked myself if I'd buy one, and I'm going with "probably not". I'm not concerned about the safety or FE potential, but rather the reliability, availability of parts, and knowledge base of the service techs. It's a whole new brand in America, in its first year. I'm holding out for a hybrid and/or Diesel from Honda or Toyota in '09.

RH77

Hi Rick:

___The Diesel option was an interesting conversation in and of itself as the rep said, “Because of the size of last years Canadian and this years European Smart Fortwo CDI Diesel, it doesn’t provide enough pressure and throughput to use the MB Blutec system”. I am not sure I believed that in its entirety but that is what he said? The Europeans still receive a CDI version with a HP rating of 45 HP and it has an EU Combined FE rating of < 3.5 L/100 km or > 67 mpg US. The neat thing is its CO2 emissions of 90 g/km is lower then any Hybrid we have available to us here in the states and is darn near the top of the list in Europe other then possibly the VW Lupo?

___I would have no problem owning one if I were a single city dweller but one of the reasons for getting rid of the Insight was its size. I had another 4-door sedan for the times when I needed it and I believe the Smart Fortwo would be the same for many in the US.

___Concerning its highway FE … Given its overall length and tall profile, its aero drag from an extremely high Cd and possibly larger surface area due to its overall height has to be horrendous to overcome at higher speeds. I am not talking about a mid-sized car for frontal area comparison but maybe a Yaris or Fit. Even with the 1.0 gas engine, I would suspect a good driver to easily punch through 50 year round but I bet it would not be a very comfortable ride with its ultra short wheelbase. I love the concept and knowing there are hybrid and all-electric versions out there, I would much rather have an EV version of the SMART Fortwo then a GEM or NEV of any type.

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Hybrid_Technologies_Smart_Car.jpg
SMART Fortwo EV for NASA

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/Smart_FourTwo_Challenge.jpg
SMART Fortwo w/ CDI - Best tank - 93 mpg US

___Ashen Grey, I believe the same. I think SMART in the US will have the same problems it always had. It is just too small and too high a cost for the US consumer to bother ever considering. For an All-City single or childless couple however, I think its functionality could exceed that of a Fit or Yaris and you know it will attract an extreme amount of attention no matter where it was driven. If you want the attention ;) What was previously being discussed was an $11,000 “Base”, a $13,000 “Well Equipped”, and $15,000 “Well Equipped - Cabriolet convertible” but I see those numbers went out the window :(

___Good Luck

___Wayne

I was in London a year ago, and the city is loaded with ForTwos. (I think I saw a total of 4 pickup trucks the entire time I was there- so nice to see sensible vehicles wherever you look). A London-based coworker of mine told me he test drove one, and when you press the pedal "there's nothing there". Definitely a car designed to stay inside the city limits. It's highway performance is lackluster.

I love the size and the way they look, but it just screams "EV" to me, and an EV ForTwo is the only one I would buy. Otherwise the Insight remains a better choice for me- it is faster, more highway capable, more aerodynamic, higher FE and has more cargo space.

I also saw 1 <IMG SRC="http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,1658,338005,00.jpg"> Smart Roadster while in London.