fortwo electric model in production late 2009

[rfernatt]

Of course, we (USA) probably won't see it for a while after that, but it's progress.

Mercedes-Benz Announces Production of B-Class With Fuel-Cell Drive System

"It also announced that by the end of 2009, the 'first examples of the Smart Fortwo electric-drive model will also leave the production line.'"

[cowancom]

That first "production" is 100 cars. All headed to London England. BTW -you will not own the car. It is a lease and return only like the mini program in California and NYC.

[chieftmc]

I've got my $99 ready for my reso

[michael j]

i like to know more about the fuel-cell smart fortwo dos anyone know

[Big Panda]

Originally Posted by chieftmc

I've got my $99 ready for my reso

Right there with ya, Chief!

[cowancom]

At $600 a month for a two year lease-is your $99 reservation money still ready to go? The Mini program was $750 a month that included insurance. They-Mini-choose who gets the leases.

[Bill Marshall]

Originally Posted by rfernatt

Of course, we (USA) probably won't see it for a while after that, but it's progress.

Mercedes-Benz Announces Production of B-Class With Fuel-Cell Drive System

"It also announced that by the end of 2009, the 'first examples of the Smart Fortwo electric-drive model will also leave the production line.'"

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!

[Brabus]

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.

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!

[Godfather]

Guys with tow trucks are gonna love electric cars...........

[John_H]

The Smarts here - even if they were manual - don't have an integrated starter/alternator that's designed to stop the motor at a precise point for near-instant startup. There is no "faking" an MHD. It's in the integration.