Road & Track article

[nevis]

Here is the link, hope it works! Pretty good article.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/article....rticle_id=6245

[jwight]

"EPA mileage is 33 mpg city/44 mpg highway"

Very encouraging numbers; however, the smart is still not listed on the 2008 ratings site [www.fueleconomy.gov] so I'm not sure where R&T got those numbers.

[saronian]

The EPA MPG is now listed on the smart USA website under tech specs

40/45 (EPA 2007); 33/41 (EPA 2008)

[jwight]

Originally Posted by saronian

The EPA MPG is now listed on the smart USA website under tech specs

40/45 (EPA 2007); 33/41 (EPA 2008)

Maybe EPA will post them eventually.

[08-4-2]

A Yaris? Anything is capable of being compared but I don't think anyone smitten with a Smart will be getting a Yaris unless they have an urgent need and can't wait out their place in the queue.

I do think we are accustomed to going to the dealer and just buying a car like you would anything else. The build to suit model is appealing--particularly with the market moving towards personalizing a la Mini, Scion, and the C30.

Personally, I find we usually get the lower range figure due to mostly urban driving as well as "pushing it". I think it was (... er uh ...) wise of them to list both 2007 and 2008 ratings. It underscores how all ratings are going to take a hit. There just seems to be an upper range ceiling we can't bump past without adopting hybrid technology. I think people are hoping for a real break through but would also like to like their car. (This is the appeal of the Tesla Roadster.) I personally would find it hard to write the check for a Prius. If really pressed, the Civic GX seems more interesting to me.

[SmartCard]

I know I'll be happy with mid 30's "around town", and busting 40 mpgs on the highway!

thought it was interesting that the article said 74 smart centers .....wonder where they got that number - even PAG has been rather vague with the number.