Euro vs. US Differences...

[lebikerboy]

16. Different gear ratios
17. Different shifter mechanism

[BCs300z]

I have a question about differences. I have contacted SMART USA to ask this, but got some bogus canned response that was no help. Anyone here know if you can bring a Euro smart into the US?
I am an American living in Italy and plan to buy a smart here. I can get one pretty cheap used. I could also order a US Spec to the local Italian dealer, but it would be nuts. But the question is whether or not it would be allowed into the US...especially since a US Spec one is made.
Anyone have any insight.

[Neonspinnazz]

If you buy a US Spec one, importation shouldn't be a problem.

If you buy a Euro Spec one, you'd have to install expensive emissions equipment along with following a rather long list in order to import a Euro Spec car.

Or in short, yes but it'll take time and money.

[BCs300z]

I had a feeling that was the answer. Same answer as with any Euro or Jap spec car. I suppose that I just hoped that the SMART would in some way be exempt from all that. Just for the sheer fact that it is a) awesome, or b) very good for the environment and the growing need for things smaller in the states. Too bad too, there are Euro spec ones for sale in my town for under 2K Euro

[Neonspinnazz]

However, you can buy a 450 to import and in theory it should be a tad less of a hassle to import as the EPA does list 2003-2005 450s for importation.

[GetSmrt28277]

Have you priced out the cost for the conversion from the Euro Spec you are looking at to pass the US specs? at that price for a base of what you want and the cost of the conversion + shipping you may be at a wash or even a little a head. Time to do the numbers.

[jwight]

Originally Posted by GetSmrt28277

Have you priced out the cost for the conversion from the Euro Spec you are looking at to pass the US specs? at that price for a base of what you want and the cost of the conversion + shipping you may be at a wash or even a little a head. Time to do the numbers.

That's why the G&K conversions were going for $25K vs. the $15K for certified 451s imported by Penske.

[vwW12]

Originally Posted by joelly3d

The CEO of Smart was on the "Today Show" some time ago and said that they made a choice to make the US more powerful which makes it less fuel efficient than the Euro Smart

Which is a lie because in Europe one can get the turbocharged engine which is more powerful than the US version. Yet we in the U.S. are denied such an option.

Besides, look for instance at the UK range, today:
102 hp - turbo Brabus 1.0L gasoline
84 hp - turbo 1.0L gasoline
71 hp - 1.0L gasoline
54 hp - 0.8L diesel

Obviously the gasoline version we get in the U.S. is the lowest, least powerful gasoline you can get in Britain. The woman lied blatantly or, more likely, is pathetically misinformed about the very car she gets paid the big bucks to shill.

Gosh, that woman who wasn't even around when the decision was made regarding what engines to bring stateside is such a mindless corporate drone.

[rfernatt]

Originally Posted by vwW12

Which is a lie because in Europe one can get the turbocharged engine which is more powerful than the US version. Yet we in the U.S. are denied such an option.

Besides, look for instance at the UK range, today:
102 hp - turbo Brabus 1.0L gasoline
84 hp - turbo 1.0L gasoline
71 hp - 1.0L gasoline
54 hp - 0.8L diesel

Obviously the gasoline version we get in the U.S. is the lowest, least powerful gasoline you can get in Britain. The woman lied blatantly or, more likely, is pathetically misinformed about the very car she gets paid the big bucks to shill.

Gosh, that woman who wasn't even around when the decision was made regarding what engines to bring stateside is such a mindless corporate drone.

You do realize that the post you reference was from Feb 2008? Beware the zombie thread!

[jwight]

+1! We'd need to see exactly what the quote was; most likely Dave S. very early on describing the base 451 as being more powerful than the base 450 - which is true. Without the exact quote - all speculation.

Rehashing zombie threads is fine - please just start at post #1.