I drove a micro-hybrid for two weeks in Portugal. I loved it. When I came back to the U.S., I tried to turn off my regular Smart at red lights, but it meant putting it in Park then when the light turns green, people are pulling away there is a pronounced delay in starting it, then putting it in drive. Not to mention if it is dark, the lights will turn off for several seconds while it is starting. So I realized that there's no reasonable way to turn off a regular Smart when stopped. If it were a manual then it'd be a lot easier to simulate a micro-hybrid, because you wouldn't have to put it in Park. You could start in gear!
Basically, the great thing about the micro-hybrid is it does all of this very quickly and without turning the lights off. If a micro-hybrid comes to the states then I'll sell my Smart and buy one. I liked it. It was only annoying when you were trying to parallel park in difficult places but it takes a split second to turn the eco feature off, so it's a win-win.
But what I want more is a diesel with a manual shifter, which will never come. Diesel here is a nickel more than regular unleaded. It's cheaper than premium & cheaper than plus! That's good news for Volkswagen Jetta & the upcoming Golf TDI. I'm considering the Golf. I really love diesel. But I tend to like vehicles that are European only. Seems I don't fit the mold of the target buyer here in the U.S.
And let's not forget that dealerships have dozens of Smart cars sitting on the lot not selling. Of course all dealers have this problem in this economy, however I think Smart USA would not have had this problem if they had brought the micro-hybrid to the U.S. because people like me would have sold their regular Smart for a micro-hybrid. I'd slap my Brabus parts onto a micro-hybrid anyday. Hopefully the lack of Smart sales will make them rethink the 2010 models. Especially since Toyota is coming with competition. I'm glad I bought a cabrio since Toyota is a coupe. I don't have to worry about comparisons with a Scion iQ.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill Marshall
At the NY Auto Show, the smart reps said to expect them here within the next 2 years, that we will see an electric smart here before we see a diesel - or even a micro hybrid!
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