2010 Factory Option Cruise

[High Side]

Heard a rumor that the '10 models will have cruise as a factory option. Anyone else heard this? If so... has anyone heard if it will be able to be retrofitted to an '09?

[The Rigger]

Originally Posted by High Side

Heard a rumor that the '10 models will have cruise as a factory option. Anyone else heard this? If so... has anyone heard if it will be able to be retrofitted to an '09?

Haven't heard that, but if it could be retrofitted, I'm sure it'd cost quite a bit more than either of the existing aftermarket options cost. That's judging by my experience with retrofitting OEM fog lamps to my Cabrio, and what I've heard other peoples' experience is with retrofitting the dash pods.

I have heard that they're researching an factory cruise option for the '11 model year...

[jwight]

Rumor Rumor Rumor

Even though the instrument panel has an unused cruise control symbol, according to Dave Schembri his engineers are telling him it's not possible to integrate CC into the smart without giving up another feature. The aftermarket versions are not truly integrated as they use piggyback boxes. We'll have to wait and see on a factory unit; the aftermarket ones seem to do the job at this point.

[chieftmc]

Originally Posted by jwight

........ the aftermarket ones seem to do the job at this point.

And VERY well, I might add

[The Rigger]

From the Spring '09 issue of Smartimes Magazine, an interview with Dave Schembri at the Orlando anniversary throwdown this past winter:

Smartimes: "What are some of the areas that can be improved on the car?"

Schembri: "We heard from consumers that they'd simply like armrests to come standard or to have cruise control or a greater selection of optional wheels. They also wanted the Brabus version of the smart ForTwo, which we just showed at the Los Angeles Auto Show [Nov. '08] and for the most part we've been able to bring these choices to market already, or we're taking steps to bring them to market as quickly as possible. For example, we're trying to get cruise control out by at least the 2011 model year." (emphasis added)

So there ya have it...

[The Rigger]

Originally Posted by jwight

The aftermarket versions are not truly integrated as they use piggyback boxes.

...Which is nonense, since most any OEM factory cruise control uses some form of external brain or piggyback box.