SMART car coming to US...
 

At $15,000 and an FE of 40/70, will it sell in the US? Daimler Chrysler is reported to bring it to the US within the next 2 years to hopefully make a profit for the car line. My take -- a step in the right direction, but there are a whole host of vehicles from Europe that equal or rival the SMART's mileage, but doesn't have the "looks".

-RH77

https://www.mavromatic.com/images/zap.jpg

I like it - if I was in the market for a new small commuter, this would be at the top of the list. The thing looks great IMO.

Only time will tell how the US recieves it though - my thoughts many times don't line up with mainstream America.

My $.02

i think most of the appeal of the car is the "hey look at me I drive a fuel efficient car I'm so cool" type of thing that seems to be popular with all these prius owners that get 40mpg and make no effort to drive efficiently (such as one girl in my class who would get high 30s and be ever so happy).

Anyway, for the people that won't abuse it, it's nice, :)

I still can't imagine how it'll meet safety standards? Doesn't it have to pass a crash test? Prius owners do tend to not drive efficiently, I must agree. I get passed by them everyday. :confused:

i'm sure the smart can pass crash testing, crumple zones and airbags and all that stuff they have these days. prolly as safe as our cars.

the human body is the crumple zone in that car. I'd feel safer in an n600 surrounded by escalades

I'm 100% sure that Smart cars are more safe than the 1990 Civic that I drive around in.

Aren't they turbo? I remember reading about one a while back that had a 3 cylinder turbo engine.

I think we are overestimating the ability of safety equipment to compensate for little material between the driver and the front of the car. or from any angle for that matter. I agree my 91 civic feels like a deathtrap, but at least we have a some room. :o

https://video.google.com/videosearch?q=smart+car

It actually doen't do as bad as one might think. Still a mess if you hit and Excursion. As 90CivciStandard stated though, probably about as safe or safer than the older Civics (my 92 included).

I saw one of these parked the other day by Home Depot. i'm thinking of driving my n600 there today to see if it's still there. If it is I'll try to get some side-by-side pictures.

In this one it looks like a toy, when it encounters a "real" car. :eek:
https://video.google.com/videoplay?do...63&q=smart+car

But in the ones where it goes up against the little fiat/z600 looking thing, it doeas really well...too bad it'd be going up against cars like the benz in the vid though.

It would be a great urban/town car, but I wouldn't take it on the highways.

exactly and that is what it is designed for. however in the states we dont have many real unlimited highways. it will do just fine cruising at 65mph

those of you who say its not going to be safe havent been in it. it is wonderfully engineered and feels about as safe as any of our 2000lb cars that would get demolished by a 4000+lb suv

Lots of Smart cars up here in Canada. There are two right in my subdivision even and lots in town. Of course, they're all the 3-cyl diesel around here as far as I know.

Got passed on the highway by one a while back. It was moving at a quick clip of 130 km/h.

I don't like that car. Ugly, unaerodynamic, and slow.

The Smart Roadster-Coupe is pretty cool though. Maybe if they'd up the turbo boost for a horsepower increase to around 160-200...

why should they do it when its more fun when you can do it?:p

It would usually be cheaper for it to come that way from the factory than to source all the parts and equipment needed for the modification.

Imagine it though. A little street rocket that gets 50+ mpg on biodiesel, does 0-60 mph in under 5 seconds, and costs well under $25k. Time to go Miata hunting.

mercedes always takes the worst case scenario and builds to endure twice the tolerance. so you kinda only need a chip to get a massive boost in power

The real problem here is price, first and formost. $15,000!!??? C'mon, so many cars that are bigger, faster, and more versatile that get almost the same mileage.

the diesel will not be available in the U.S.

the less efficient gas model that supposedly rates in the low 40's for mpg will be the only one available

it's a 2 seater! that's the main reason the fricken Prius destroyed the Insight in initial sales, people can use the prius just like a 'normal' car.

So, it's to small, it's not powerful (enough) and only gets slightly better mileage than it's competitiors, so for the extra $$$ i think it will flop overall

i think itll flop just because americans like things big, and thats just the fad right now.

it is very versitile and ideal as a second car. have you ever driven one? more importantly have you ever parallel parked one? think of the time, gas, and headaches saved in city driving.

and like ive said before, they do make a for4 model

One of my teachers has been talking about buying one for four years, just so everything knows!

I always thought of the smart car as the "hip/nerdy" car for people that live in the city that need to park in tiny spots, not as a car that gets amazing FE or as revalutionary.

But it is about time america gets an underpowered car :)

I sat in a smart car today! They had on display at the vintage gran prix in pittsburgh. I sat on both seats and there is a little bit less legroom on the passanger side, but I was able to sit in the drivers side ok (I am 6' 3"). The interior seems a bit cheap. It's bigger then an isetta.
https://www.fuelly.com/attachments/fo...786a56f9f0.jpg
this is a picture of my dads legs next to one.

You mean "it's about time America gets an underpowered car... again" (see avatar).

I had the same reaction you did: pleasantly surprised at the amount of space inside (me = statistically average height), but not good impression of the interior trim, fit & finish.

I've yet to ride/drive in one, even though there are half a dozen buzzing around my town.

I had to do a double take last week when I saw a Smart Car on the Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia. I'm not sure that it's all that underpowered. It seemed to climb right up some pretty steep grades. Damned thing is tiny though.

I saw one the other day in a parking lot. I need to start bringing my camera with me when I drive the n600, just in case I spot a hummer or a smart car... great photo opportunities.

It's got slightly less (worse) power / weight than a stock 3-cyl Metro. On the other hand, it's a diesel, and has a 6-speed transmission, so it makes better use of the torque and available power than a Metro does.

Having driven the Firefleas for a year and a half now, I can say I'm sure there's nowhere I wouldn't go with a Smart.

EDIT: Maybe not: a Metro would kick it's butt 0-60: 15 seconds vs. 19.8, according to the Smart Canada site :p

I would drive a smart everywere except on road trips or extended use on the interstate. I am sure that car gets buzzy on the highway and would catch crosswinds.