09 models introduction date

[JPaul]

Just got this from smart media spokesman:
"about models 09, production will start after summer's vacation, i.e. mid-August, therefor available stateside by the end of the year!"

[JPaul]

The production line uses "magic numbers" (smart lingo), attributed to placed orders in sequence, when they are received from the dealerships/distributor. The plant does each car in chronological order of their "magic number", totally independently from their model, features and options.
I.e. a w/s/r coupe can be followed by a r/b/b cabrio, by another of totally different one, etc... The plant does NOT do a batch of cabrio followed by a batch of coupe, nor a batch of silver tridion followed by a batch of black tridion, etc...

About DRL and post-production fog lights: the is NO REASON that the car cannot be re-programmed. M. Amélineau, smart media spokesman, will inquire about why this is not offered or even possible stateside. The car, he said, is pre-wired in such a way that it can be easily re-programmed to accept new generation of diagnostic devices (ScanGauge), or post-production additions such as fog lights, DRL, etc...

He will also suggest a contest of group photo in front of known locations, with prizes (he's even talked about a special edition car as a first prize).

More to follow, of course...

[JPaul]

smart media spokesman is not aware of favorite colors by specific destination, market; he doesn't know that yellow may still be in high demand in the USA. Where is the rundown of colors that I saw posted earlier. Help!

BTW: He will send me samples of the new colors asap. He still doesn't have them himself and is anxious to get them for release to the media. And to us...

[dbwill]

quote[About DRL and post-production fog lights: the is NO REASON that the car cannot be re-programmed. M. Amélineau, smart media spokesman, will inquire about why this is not offered or even possible stateside. The car, he said, is pre-wired in such a way that it can be easily re-programmed to accept new generation of diagnostic devices (ScanGauge), or post-production additions such as fog lights, DRL, etc...]quote

I wonder if the same thing applies to the European and Canadian options on the radio 10 that are not available here.

[JPaul]

[...] I wonder if the same thing applies to the European and Canadian options on the radio 10 that are not available here.

As far as another poster wrote, the radio 10 destined for US was deprived of the oh-so-important chip that activates those features. Cheap?! Or deemed unnecessary? Even useless?
The original poster didn't answer when I asked if he/she knew anything specific about that chip...

[Orphan-Beggar]

Let the Re-Configuring for 2009 Begin!

[LorbeerTLC]

I sure would like to see smart offer Rear Fog Lights as an option in the U.S. for 2009 (although I'm not sure if this would conflict of only having one reverse light... I think the U.S. requires two).
Driving through Central California (i.e. Fresno area), that fog can really be a killer (literally). A rear fog light would help to be seen. Since it's already in Europe, I wouldn't think it would be hard to adapt over in the States.


-Tom L.

[Dunerunner]

Thanks JPaul!! i wondered how they pushed production thru the line. Now we'll all want to know our "Magic Number"!!!

[PassionforPassionCT]

I have seen a number of cars with a single reverse light, the mini and the new scion's are examples. I would have loved for them to not cheap out on the rear lights and have yellow turn signals like the rest of the world. I would love to retrofit my car to eurospec lights, but I dont feel like playing with the wiring.

[Old smart]

You would probably find that the wiring is the same, and even likely that there is an inactive rear foglight stub already there in the harness taking power through the #12 fuse. Just be sure that you get continental assemblies (not UK) so the foglight is on the left side.