Canadian Website Updated

[MicroNut]

MB Canada has updated their website to the new (451) smart.

You can download a brochure with lots of info and pictures specific to the North American model:

http://www.mercedes-benz.ca/mbccusto...ochure_eng.pdf

Remember that the content specs for the Pure and Passion are not the same as the US versions (for instance, the Canadian Passion comes standard with premium sound system and power steering).

[Old smart]

Before the handwringing begins over the Canadian (N.A.) 451's 70 HP vice the advertized 71 HP, the 71 is 71 PS ("PferderStarke": German for "horse strength"), or 71 CV ("Cheval Vapour": French for "horse steam"). PS or CV are "metric" HP units as used in the EU, Japan, etc. The Canadian 70 is SAE (International or British HP). A unit of PS or CV is a slightly smaller unit than SAE (about 1-1/2%), thus 71 PS = 70 SAE.

BTW, "BHP" does not mean "British horsepower;" it means "brake horsepower" as derived from a brake dynamometer.

[jwight]

Our friends in the great white north are paying a premium it looks like; $18,840 for a passion coupe with metallic paint and extra instruments. Plus $325 if you want 15 inch snow chains. Since the Canadian dollar is pretty close to 1 for 1 with our dollar it looks like we're getting a break (not to mention the break if you look a the same car priced in Euros or British pounds) Don't know how long Penske will be able to stick with the initial pricing announcement.