Road Show question

[SmartAmerica]

The extra lenght is for DOT as is the shape of the 2008's windshield.



Did the cars you drove have the:

It is my understanding the engine in the cars on tour are not the "stop & go" that decreases the engines revs at red lights, similar to a hybrid?

This engine is the same type as the turbo-charged engine that was to be used in Mitsubishi Motors new concept mini car.

Getrag Corporate Group is the systems supplier for transmission and drive train systems.


DaimlerChrysler claims that the 2008 Fortwo

[jonnysan]

Road Show drive in Albany...
I inquired about the car I was driving as well and they said it was the 71 HP engine that will be in the US models. I thought the US models had an 86 HP, 1.0 liter, Mitsubishi engine. The cars we drove didn't have the amber side markers that I could notice but I will look again in Cooperstown on Saturday. I hope I can hook up with the motorcading group from Montreal (20+ Smarts enroute to Cooperstown. I'll be looking for them when they travel thru Albany down I-87. Back to my drive today.....it was everything I expected it to be...tight handling characteristics, the 5 speed trans shifted sluggishly as it has already been mentioned and improved upon although I would shift it manually just to be sporting. All in all my experience was good. The car is surely not any rocket but it is not supposed to be and I can understand now that I've driven the car how the gas mileage is only rated at 40. In order to accomplish a full emissions *FTP* (federal test procedure) there are certain aspects of the test requiring a certain acceleration rate in which I could envision having to floor the car to make it up to 55 mph cruising speed in X seconds ( I forget the time spec) That kind of driving is not conducive to good gas mileage for sure. I am betting nearly 50 mpg can be squeezed out of it with proper driving habits. But then there will be the times that one doesn't car about proper driving habits and just wants to have some fun!!!

[SmartCard]

I actually thought the engines were the other way around, that the tour cars were the European turbos, but maybe I misheard that at the road show. Never the less, the US is getting the 71 hp naturally aspirated engine. And I hope with proper driving habits one may be able to eek out closer to 60 mpg!

[jonnysan]

Yes, Smart Card, I am hoping for the same thing as well. 40mpg just doesn't seem to get it. I suspect that number is deliberately ultra conservative to eliminate complaints when the heavy footed owners find they can only get 40. Not only that, but I've driven vehicles on a chassis dyno performing the Federal Test Procedure (LA-4) and there are tricks one can use to qualify the vehicle yet there still could be as much as 5mpg difference. It all depends on which side of the trace you cling to on accels and decels. Anyone who has done this will understand what I am saying.

[JEDI 2.0]

I can't wait! the tour comes to Sacramento on Sunday. .. do I just get to show up & drive?? Or is this for the people with reserves? I can't wait to see it in person either way

[SmartCard]

Yes, the public weekend show dates are just that- show up, wait in line, and drive (don't forget your drivers license!). In previous tour stops, I've heard of wait times from 10 min to 2 hours. (I waited about 90 minutes last month in Indy) Enjoy!

[smartInDenver]

The people I spoke to on the road tour said that it was the European models being driven. Some only had Km on the speedometer, some had miles and Km (I kept getting back in line to drive different ones ... I wanted the variety and the route was too darn short!!). Also, they didn't have lockable glove compartments on the tour, and they said that the US models would have the lid, not just the open cave on the dashboard.

[SmartBob]

I only had to wait 10 mins or so in Philadelphia. You also should get to REALLY drive when your dealers have them. No way am I going to buy my Smart based on the short lived driving experience around a few blocks in the city. Although that was a reasonable introduction. I want some open road to get out on and see what the little bugger will do.