smart hybrid (mhd) coming ?

[WARHORSE]

Hi, I'm new, I tried a search but couldn't find anything

Anybody know if there are plans for a SMART hybrid in USA ?

Looking for a Cabrio

Thanks

[jwight]

Hi and welcome. No hybrid in the sense of a Prius or Civic hybrid. smart has what they call a Micro Hybrid Drive (mhd) which shuts the engine off at stops and uses regenerative braking to keep the battery charged. They may (rumor only) be here in 2010.

More info here: http://www.popularmechanics.com/blog...s/4270406.html

[BlueCoupe]

beginning in Oct. of this year.....see article at autoblog.com.....will raise mpg to 44/36....... pretty cool.....Guess this is a bonus to all of those still waiting

[SmartAzz]

All Smarts to get start-stop standard - Autoblog

[BlueCoupe]

Just saw announcement on autoblog.com that MHD will be standard on all SMARTS beginning in October.....any way to confirm this?

[ashleyrude]

eMercedesBenz.com released the full details of the new hybrid drive. I am to new or I would post a link.

[ashleyrude]

looks like October of '08

[ashleyrude]

Excerpt from eMBHave you been considering a new 45 kW/61 bhp petrol-powered smart fortwo but were envious of the micro hybrid drive (mhd) found on its 52kW/71 bhp big brother? Your jealousy can officially be laid to rest my dear readers, because starting In October of 2008, both models will now come standard with the fuel-saving technology. In total, mhd along with its user-friendly automatic start-stop system reduces NEDC fuel consumption by an average of 8 percent, while in the city, fuel savings of up to 20 percent are possible.

Smart Updates Its Model Range To Include Micro Hybrid Drive | eMercedesBenz - The Unofficial Mercedes-Benz Weblog

[ashleyrude]

Excerpt from eMBHave you been considering a new 45 kW/61 bhp petrol-powered smart fortwo but were envious of the micro hybrid drive (mhd) found on its 52kW/71 bhp big brother? Your jealousy can officially be laid to rest my dear readers, because starting In October of 2008, both models will now come standard with the fuel-saving technology. In total, mhd along with its user-friendly automatic start-stop system reduces NEDC fuel consumption by an average of 8 percent, while in the city, fuel savings of up to 20 percent are possible.

Smart Updates Its Model Range To Include Micro Hybrid Drive | eMercedesBenz - The Unofficial Mercedes-Benz Weblog

[El Kabong]

Please read where it says:

"Unfortunately, there is one caveat: mhd isn't available in the U.S. or Canada, so my American readers are unfortunately out of luck"

Looks like we're left high and dry for now at least......