require premium gasoline for US version ??

[GiantKiller]

Originally Posted by sisyphus

Yannou, do the math. Check gas prices in your area, then figure your current yearly gas costs using the price for regular gas times your yearly miles driven divided by your car's overall miles per gallon figure. Then do the same thing for a smart getting 45 miles per gallon (unless you have a heavy foot!) using the price for premium gas. Unless you drive a motor scooter year-round you will almost certainly find that your costs will be significantly lower for the smart.
In addition, the smart is an Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle, or ULEV, is nearly 100% recyclable, and is made in what many consider to be the "greenest" auto factory in the world. Some day soon we may be able to get a fully a hybrid or fully electric smart, but until that day you'll be hard pressed to find a "greener" car than a smart!
Convinced? I am!

I figured it out with smart getting 40 mpg and at the prices now I'll save a min. $150 a month over my truck. Still need my truck to pull my trailer. But I don't need to drive it all the time like I am right now. And the prices will only go up. And I'll save even more.

[lisat]

I test drove it last night. The car was from Germany - I asked about the "US Version" and he said no - this is it. This is the World Version. The speedometer was in Km so I hope he was wrong ;-) Also he said that 89 Octane is best for fuel economy. See my post under Member from Philadelphia Area for impressions on the car.

[sisyphus]

Lisat, as noted in other threads, the smart we will be getting is the North American version (for the US and Canada). There are some minor differences between those sold here and those sold in Europe. Our speedometer will be in miles per hour. All dashboard info will be in "American" increments (Fahreheit not Celsius temp readings, etc). Ours will come with side airbags as well as dashboard airbags. On Euro versions the side bags are optional. Ours will allegedly have a lower first gear for quicker take-off from a stand still, and a higher top gear to deal with our interstates. Ours also has side markers lights that meet US standards. There are other differences (such as engine availability - we have only one choice).
Odd that your sales person would recommend 89 octane fuel, as smart recommends 91 octane (premium). Hmmm...