Road Show question

Tom Burns · 07-05-2007, 09:04 PM

Are the cars being shown on the road show tour European models or the new "American version." I'm really anxious to drive one, but would be disappointed if it were not the car I would be buying later.

pghjake · 07-06-2007, 12:57 PM

Photos I have seen from the Chicago stop in mid-June are of the new 451 models.

eqwalker · 07-06-2007, 01:47 PM

I have read where the tour was being performed with the european version of the 451 because of the US version not being produced at the time of the start of the tour. There was a post somewhere (maybe another forum) where there were pictures of the actual US version of the 451 on the Smart's production lot at the factory. They were noticable by the amber lense that was on the side of the headlight assembly.

eqwalker · 07-06-2007, 02:01 PM

Here is a thread of pics the 451 US version. Notice the amber side marker lights on the headlight assembly.

pghjake · 07-06-2007, 06:09 PM

After reviewing pics in this thread (http://www.clubsmartcar.ca/forums/viewtopic.php?t=9394), it seems that they are the european models making the rounds so far.
Hope it's not poor form to post a link to another smart car forum.

kurt013 · 07-08-2007, 09:43 AM

I was told by Jon of Smart Car yesterday in Indianapolis at the road show that these are the same cars we will be getting. Waited just over 2 hours for a 5 minute test drive. They said this is about as long as the line has been anywhere. It could have been the location at the Indy Art Museum, the people in front of us had planned on going to the museum, ended up going for a test drive instead. Also Jon said they would import as many cars as they could sell next year, however he was sorta full of company talking points, but short on specifics.

**SmartCard** · 07-09-2007, 12:46 PM

basically the same cars that we'll be getting! We drove on up to Indy Friday (the road tour doesn't hit Louisville until Sept!) and also waited over 2 hours for a test drive. But I think it was worth the wait - although I would have liked more time to investigate the workings of the cabrio. (Guess I'm just going to have to hit the show again when it comes to town here!

)

kurt013 · 07-09-2007, 01:16 PM

he may have said "basically". I would have liked to have had more time with the convertible too. i did step aside for 2 cars so i could drive a cabrio, and in 2 hours i was the only one i saw to drive up at the end with the top down. you can lower the top with one push of the button and at any speed, so i just asked, and my co-pilot hit the switch. but we kept the support bars above the windows on so i didn't really get the total effect. it's better than a sunroof, but not quite a true convertible, more like a t-top. when the top was up i did not notice any wind noise at all.

bholdson · 07-26-2007, 02:01 PM

Just finished up my test drive at the invitation only "pre-show" drive test in Denver. Models being tested ARE the new body style and have an added 8" of length. The transmissions available were NOT however what the US vehicles will be distributed with. The reps at the Denver show highly tauted the "new & improved" shifting performance which will reportedly be installed in the US models coming soon.

mjg1231 · 07-26-2007, 03:06 PM

The small extra length is in the trunk perhaps to help assure room for those 8 grocery bags?