Gutting a Smartcar for proper MPG

[MrFrankenstein]

Hi all

First post. As someone who's never owned a car, but is looking for something that isnt too deliberately crippled by US oil companies, I'm eying the smart car.

However, given that there appears to be a considerable difference in MPG between EU (and Canadian) versions and US versions of smartcars...

Has anyone detailed or cross-referenced the extra addon's which the US has required, which the EU cars don't? I would assume there're extra so-called 'safety features' and other crippling additions, whose intention ultimately is to cut into achievable MPG by consumers.

Has anyone systematically 'gutted' a smart car as thoroughly as possible, (without impacting on the basic frame or road-worthiness) and tried to get the vehicle as stripped down and as light as possible? And if so - what kind of MPG has been achieved?
What exactly is causing the lower MPG rate in comparison to the EU/Canada versions? Is it additional weight? Software? 'safety features'?

[NCC1701]

Originally Posted by MrFrankenstein

I would assume there're extra so-called 'safety features' and other crippling additions, whose intention ultimately is to cut into achievable MPG by consumers.

You've GOT to be kidding me.

[smarticus]

If you buy any car just for the MPG, your likely going to be dissapointed. I don't think there is much on our 451's that isn't found on pretty much all others worldwide. They can have their choice of a 60 HP, a 70 HP, an 84 HP, on up,...plus in a lot of places a diesel. Which one are you comparing ours to? Don't forgrt the "imperiel gallon" is larger than ours. Multiply by .87 and see how close the two are in milage. That will work for the British smarts, IF you are comparing like output engines. Perhaps we need to compare avg. MPH to destination to come up with a better overall comparison. I can hit 70 MPH on my way to work,... how many European drivers get their smarts up that fast, and over what sort of terrain in the MPG that is quoted as better than ours?

[Kermit]

I would get a used GEN I Honda Insight with a standard transmission then gut that. Easy 100mpg

[Godfather]

Maybe it's the Abby Normal brain............

[SmartTech]

the us smart car is the same as euro with a few small changes: reflectors in head lights, different tail lights, different fuel neck for us regulations on roll over, the shifter is different (it has a mechanical park lock but shame shifter for canada).
the motor differences are no turbo in us and no diesel.
so that being said the current models us/euro are the same mpg.

the older euro smarts got better mpg but they were smaller motors with less hp.

[dink74]

I have a Del Sol SI I will sell you and you can have your way with it. Should be able to get a real light weight ride out of it.

Dink

[MrFrankenstein]

@ smarticus - well, I'm looking for something that goes beyond the local 'norm' of 20-30 MPG. US cars do appear to be on average much larger than what I'm used to seeing (in Africa and EU) - so that 'weight' aspect seems to cut into the general MPG.
But again, the US focus seems to be on 'power' and horsepower more than MPG. To me if its a lawnmower engine, does its job, and doesnt fail, that's good enough
I'm still mulling over the idea of diesel, given that a deal with some local junk food places could provide all the oil needed to run a vehicle, quite easily, for next to nothing.

@ NCC1701 I'm used to the idea that driving well, wearing a seatbelt, and maybe an airbag fitted, is all that's needed. Beyond that, *shrug* its in the hands of Fate. Not a big deal. The last thing I'd do is give into the irrational fear that a lot of car manufacturers seem to like whipping up, and which 'coincidentally' result in decreased MPG, and require increased gas consumption. A very convenient coincidence for the auto industry and big oil. So I interpret the idea of additional safety features - as deliberate attempts to keep people from making good choices as regards small fuel-efficient cars.
/rant off :P
I've driven in some genuinely dangerous-driving regions in Africa and South Africa - where each Christmas season, for instance, its normal for there to be upwards of over 1000 deaths on the road, up to 1500 some years - so the US is ridiculously safe and well-behaved in comparison.

@ SmartTech - thanks for that info re Euro smartcars. So it's the horsepower difference. Hmm, anyone know why they increased the horsepower? Was there any good reason (to impact on MPG) beyond the 'my engine can go faster/louder/noisier than yours'? I guess I'm the last person in the world who's more interested in MPG than anything else

thanks @ all for the feedback, its really useful.

[Kermit]

Someone has probably said it by now......

Old Smart 450 - smaller Mercedes engine
New Smat 451 - bigger Mitsubishi engine

Mitsubishi is supposed to have a better life expectancy.

I would love to do a WVO Smart, but honestly - it would be too small. I have a Jetta right now that I run with a 20gal tank in the back. I have around a 1500 mile range on the car with both tanks full.

[bentoutofshape]

The question should be..........
Has anyone gutted their car for performance. Thats a more valid question.
Anyone? I'm sure i'm just talking to myself and won't get a valid answer.