....The mhd to some extent and the cdl to a greater extent do make a difference. And we get neither!
the "Brand Manager" at SCI told me last week that the smart 'ev' IS "Coming to America" AND will be in your neck of the woods next year....FOR TESTING as they are doing in Great Britain THIS year. but the way i look at it, it's just ONE STEP CLOSER.....
In a phone conversation I had with Dave Schembri it had not yet been decided to bring the MHD to the states as the cost/price versus mileage gained may not be significant enough to warrant adding the technology to the car.
Well the MHD is already featured on the German Smart website. I went to the dealer today and they said at this time the MHD is going to be an EU exclusive and unless anything changes the next change is going to be in 2010 with the EV.
In a phone conversation I had with Dave Schembri it had not yet been decided to bring the MHD to the states as the cost/price versus mileage gained may not be significant enough to warrant adding the technology to the car.
If you are talking with Mr. Schembri tell him we want the CDI. If California and New York don't want it; the rest of the USA and Canada do. The CDI is being sold in Mexico so figure out a legal way for those interested to import them from Mexico through a border dealership. I would be happy to go down and tow one back. Happy isn't quite the word, more like ecstatic.
Well the MHD is already featured on the German Smart website. I went to the dealer today and they said at this time the MHD is going to be an EU exclusive and unless anything changes the next change is going to be in 2010 with the EV.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeepster55
the "Brand Manager" at SCI told me last week that the smart 'ev' IS "Coming to America" AND will be in your neck of the woods next year....FOR TESTING as they are doing in Great Britain THIS year. but the way i look at it, it's just ONE STEP CLOSER.....
the 'ev' will be in CA in 2010 for TESTING ONLY! NOT FOR SALE! i only WISH i could get an 'ev' next year, but then i only WISH i get a smart of ANY KIND next year!
Quote:
Originally Posted by aviddk
If you are talking with Mr. Schembri tell him we want the CDI. If California and New York don't want it; the rest of the USA and Canada do. The CDI is being sold in Mexico so figure out a legal way for those interested to import them from Mexico through a border dealership. I would be happy to go down and tow one back. Happy isn't quite the word, more like ecstatic.
aviddk
Ashland, OR
don't think it's really up to Mr Schembri...more like the EPA!!!
smart updates its model rangeStuttgart, Jul 11, 2008TextPhotos
- select action - Download selection now Add selection to Download CenterFrom October 2008 the standard equipment of the 45 kW/61 bhp and 52 kW/71 bhp petrol-engined smart fortwo models will include micro hybrid drive (mhd) technology with a user-friendly automatic start-stop system. This reduces the NEDC consumption of the two naturally aspirated engines by an average of 8 percent. In city traffic fuel savings of almost 20 percent are even possible. Furthermore, from the autumn of 2008 the smart fortwo cdi will be equipped with a closed diesel particulate filter that almost completely eradicates particulate emissions. The equipment of the innovative two-seater is being upgraded by an instrument cluster with a new design featuring enhanced indicating instruments and new door net pockets among other things. Two new colours "grey metallic" and "rally red" are a fresh new highlight, as are the optional new sporty six-spoke alloy wheels.
smart is resolutely continuing its philosophy and making the smart fortwo even more environmentally friendly and attractive: further reduced consumption, even more uncomplicated driving pleasure and upgraded equipment will characterise the comfortable two-seater in future.
45 kW and 52 kW petrol engines with micro hybrid drive (mhd) as standard
The smart micro hybrid drive (mhd) automatic start-stop function has proven itself since 2007, although to date it has only been available for the 52kW/71 bhp model. To reduce the fuel costs for the smart fortwo, the two petrol models with 45 kW/61 bhp and 52 kW/71 bhp engines are now being fitted with the start-stop automatic function as standard**. This reduces the consumption of both versions in the combined cycle by around eight percent (to 4.3* litres, NEDC). CO2 emissions are reduced to 103* grams per kilometre. In urban traffic with frequent stop-and-go situations savings of almost 20 percent are even possible. 7 out of 10 customers in Europewho opt for a petrol engine will now drive with this environmentally-friendly technology.
smart has realised the idea behind the automatic start-stop system in a particularly clever way: the control electronics shut down the engine as soon as the driver brakes and the vehicle's speed falls below 8 km/h - for example when approaching traffic lights.
The engine starts again in the fraction of a second as soon as the driver releases the brake pedal. In this way the fuel consumption is reduced even further. The smart fortwo's automated manual transmission is perfectly tuned to the automatic start-stop system. The driver only needs to accelerate and brake - no clutchwork or gear changing is ever needed. This fully automatic function of the smart fortwo with mhd technology makes it easy to save fuel and emissions.
Closed diesel particulate filter for the CO2 champion smart fortwo cdi
smart is also improving the environmental footprint of the diesel model in model year 2009 with a new closed diesel particulate filter instead of the open version that was previously used. The new system reduces the particulate mass in the exhaust gas to a minimum and, thanks to intelligent engine control, it is virtually maintenance-free with a long filter service life. With combined consumption of 3.4 litres per 100 kilometres (NEDC), the smart fortwo cdi with a 33kW/45 bhp engine continues to be the world's production car with the lowest consumption and, with emissions of 88g/km, it is still the CO2 champion. In future it will also hold a top position in terms of particulate emissions.
Fresh colours and new sporty alloy wheels
smart is also freshening up its palette with striking new colours. The elegantly pleasing "grey metallic" and the sporty intensive "rally red" are new in the portfolio. This means that customers still have a choice of six colours, which enable a total of twelve colour combinations in conjunction with the two colours for the tridion safety cell.
New sporty six-spoke alloy wheels in titanium silver measuring 175/55 R 15 at the front and 195/50 R 15 at the rear are optionally available. The new alloy wheels are also available in a chrome look as an accessory product.
Interior features new highlights
To match the new "rally red" paintwork the colour "design red" has now been updated and harmonised for the upholstery and fabric elements in the interior of the passion line. A redesigned instrument cluster with an enhanced LCD display will be an eye-catching feature on the instrument panel in future.
The fuel gauge is now positioned centrally at the bottom and is supplemented by a permanently displayed digital clock and exterior temperature indicator. Further new equipment details include net pockets in the doors on the driver and passenger side which offer greater storage space.
The updated smart fortwo models can be ordered from smart dealers now.
The descriptions and information apply to the international smart model range and may vary from country to country.
* provisional figures, coupé ** mhd not available in the USA and Canada
don't think it's really up to Mr Schembri...more like the EPA!!!
As I understand the situation the CDI as currently configured without a particulate trap would be legal in all but CA and three Northeastern states. The really stupid part is that this even prevents Canada, who would love to have them, from getting them either.
The thing that gets my nickers in a twist about this is; why does the EU have more stringent environmental regulations on everything in the world excepting diesel emissions? Thus neatly preventing real high mileage cars from coming to the US. If the US tied their diesel emissions to the EU then the manufacturers could all work on the same page. In a few years the EU requirements will be as stringent as Calis; but by then a realistic method of particulate removal without lower MPG will have been found. I am on a crusade about this especially in light of the fuel price crisis which is hammering an economy already teetering.
aviddk
Ashland, OR
Last edited by aviddk; 07-14-2008 at 04:17 PM.
Reason: misspelling
When I was in Germany and visited the local dealer, I was told it is a EURO 100 option, so give or take $160.00 - I would be more than happy to pay this extra to get the MHD. This has a lot to do with forward thinking and being proactive. When is Penske learning this?
Quote:
Originally Posted by redbluff
In a phone conversation I had with Dave Schembri it had not yet been decided to bring the MHD to the states as the cost/price versus mileage gained may not be significant enough to warrant adding the technology to the car.
I was initially excited by the "enhanced indicating instruments" in the press release. However, upon further reading, it seems that all that means is that the Europeans are getting our LCD panel, which I think means that they will be losing their temperature gauge (since it's currently in their LCD panel). However, since that means they're all going to have a digital clock, maybe there will be a temp gauge in the pod, rather than a clock. I know it's a leap, but maybe that temp gauge, even if it's metric (I think I can adjust my brain) can be retrofitted into the US clock pod...
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the CDI as currently configured without a particulate trap would be legal in all but CA and three Northeastern states. The really stupid part is that this even prevents Canada, who would love to have them, from getting them either. 
If the US tied their diesel emissions to the EU then the manufacturers could all work on the same page. In a few years the EU requirements will be as stringent as Calis; but by then a realistic method of particulate removal without lower MPG will have been found.
I am on a crusade about this especially in light of the fuel price crisis which is hammering an economy already teetering. 
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