Mini "Smart" Car

[heyheybooboo]

Looks like an Isetta

 

[MonkeyK]

Originally posted by: Czar
They are faster than a ferrari
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5S1NAMnYKM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wi_CgGGDglY

I doubt that's stock

 

[Fern]

Originally posted by: Jeff7

The expensive part is a problem - they need to be made cheaper than a regular car, but possibly more than a motorcycle.

Yeah, the price to Americans is kinds high, but not to Europeans.

It's the Exchange rate. When I was in Italy in '03 it was about 1:1, now 1.5:1

If the rate went back down, the Smart car would cost $7,500.

Fern

 

[Uhtrinity]

Originally posted by: Moonbeam
The gas mileage is a joke. 40MPG. The Honda EX gets 39 and is a real car. The Prius gets way more.

I agree, I would never consider a car that small without close to 2X the mpg.

 

[Pliablemoose]

None of you-all Top Gear fans?

http://youtube.com/watch?v=mcuimw8ql_A

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: CaptnKirk
Man - just put a nitro burning hemi in that sucker and, wow!

Peel 50

That's even better!

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: Pliablemoose
None of you-all Top Gear fans?

http://youtube.com/watch?v=mcuimw8ql_A

Wow, that's impressive.

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: Uhtrinity

Originally posted by: Moonbeam
The gas mileage is a joke. 40MPG. The Honda EX gets 39 and is a real car. The Prius gets way more.

I agree, I would never consider a car that small without close to 2X the mpg.

You both fail at reading.


"The ultra-compact two-seater is designed to get at least 40 miles per gallon"


That is worse case driving in city with stop and go. The number you see on cars is usually closer to BEST case milage.
Also hybrids cost twice as much if not more so their pay off is a lot longer.

 

[sierrita]

Originally posted by: teclis1023
They're huge in Europe.

No, they are exactly the same size in Europe.

 

[Uhtrinity]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: Uhtrinity

Originally posted by: Moonbeam
The gas mileage is a joke. 40MPG. The Honda EX gets 39 and is a real car. The Prius gets way more.

I agree, I would never consider a car that small without close to 2X the mpg.

You both fail at reading.


"The ultra-compact two-seater is designed to get at least 40 miles per gallon"


That is worse case driving in city with stop and go. The number you see on cars is usually closer to BEST case mileage.
Also hybrids cost twice as much if not more so their pay off is a lot longer.

The Smart that will / is being sold in the US is good for 50 in town and 60 on the highway. I get 60 in town and 70+ on the highway with twice the acceleration, and quite a bit higher top speed.. I have also had single short trips where I broke 90mpg, and that was at 60 mph. The 'professionals' have done over 120mpg. For something that size I would really expect mileage in that range, if not higher. They start at $12,000, but considering the size and mileage I will stick with my $6,400 used Insight.

Also, I could disable IMA (Integrated motor assist) in the Insight and still pull better performance and mileage than the Smart offers just by just running off the 999 cc ICE. The Smart isn't really suited as gas saver, as much as a space saver, which really won't sell well in the US. As someone else pointed out it is more suited for the old European towns and cities with narrow roads and limited parking. If it had better mileage like the diesel versions sold in Europe then it might have a shot.

Smart USA

edit, what is up with the underlining?
edit edit ..... Bah

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: Uhtrinity

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: Uhtrinity

Originally posted by: Moonbeam
The gas mileage is a joke. 40MPG. The Honda EX gets 39 and is a real car. The Prius gets way more.

I agree, I would never consider a car that small without close to 2X the mpg.

You both fail at reading.


"The ultra-compact two-seater is designed to get at least 40 miles per gallon"


That is worse case driving in city with stop and go. The number you see on cars is usually closer to BEST case mileage.
Also hybrids cost twice as much if not more so their pay off is a lot longer.

The Smart that will / is being sold in the US is good for 50 in town and 60 on the highway. I get 60 in town and 70+ on the highway with twice the acceleration, and quite a bit higher top speed.. I have also had single short trips where I broke 90mpg, and that was at 60 mph. The 'professionals' have done over 120mpg. For something that size I would really expect mileage in that range, if not higher. They start at $12,000, but considering the size and mileage I will stick with my $6,400 used Insight.

Also, I could disable IMA (Integrated motor assist) in the Insight and still pull better performance and mileage than the Smart offers just by just running off the 999 cc ICE. The Smart isn't really suited as gas saver, as much as a space saver, which really won't sell well in the US. As someone else pointed out it is more suited for the old European towns and cities with narrow roads and limited parking. If it had better mileage like the diesel versions sold in Europe then it might have a shot.

Smart USA

edit, what is up with the underlining?

Hehe