smart MHD - welcomed in US or not?

2mutch · 03-08-2008, 08:16 PM

Not sure if this has been posted before or not...a search didn't find anything, so...

These are available in the European market:

http://www.smart.com/-snm-0135035552...skgT73pJhUnPk0

The Micro Hybrid Drive (MHD) looks like something that would be plausible addition to the smart US lineup. There are a few hybrid drive cars already on US roads and the smart would be a logical alternative IMO. Better choice to configure with the current engine (or something similiar - the EU version's is smaller displacement I think) rather than dreaming about a diesel version.

Any comments? Just pondering...

- FRED "2 MUTCH"
Is it a car? Is it a mind set? It's BOTH!

mdfortwoguy · 03-08-2008, 08:20 PM

I wouldn't buy one personally.

My morning commute usually involves 30 minutes of true stop and go traffic. There's no way in hell I want my engine cycling that much.

SmartPassion · 03-08-2008, 08:53 PM

Many people think the smart is a hybrid anyway. I'd ask smart to import it.

gusfraga · 03-09-2008, 07:20 AM

Hi All,

I have confirmation from Dave Schembri that for 2009 PAG will sell the MHD in USA.
I told him that a diesel will be a great idea but he said that they have no plans to import one.
Regards
Gus

Smartdavis · 03-09-2008, 07:35 AM

Can anybody convert the metric mileage numbers on the hybrid for comparison with the standard engine? (I think it says 1L/100 km?)

MichaelJ · 03-09-2008, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smartdavis

Can anybody convert the metric mileage numbers on the hybrid for comparison with the standard engine? (I think it says 1L/100 km?)

In VERY rough numbers, that's a bit over one quart per 62 miles, or about 230MPG

**JPaul** · 03-09-2008, 08:05 AM

http://www.euronet.nl/users/grantm/frans/fuel.html

Old smart · 03-09-2008, 08:10 AM

To convert â€œliters per 100kmâ€ to â€œmiles per (US) gallon,â€ divide 235 by the number of liters. Eg., a Canadian 451 gets 5.4l/100km combined (how they figure it) which equals 43.5 MPG (US).

**JPaul** · 03-09-2008, 08:20 AM

http://www.eforecourt.com/l_100km_mpg_convert.htm

Note: there is no such thing as an "imperial" liter, all liters are metric. Otherwise, it works fine...

**jwight** · 03-09-2008, 08:42 AM

Don't forget, the MHD smart is not a hybrid in the true sense of the the word (no gas/anything combination). It simply turns off the engine when the car comes to a stop, and then restarts it when you push on the accelerator pedal. Saves some gas but as mdfortwoguy points out it really increases the number of start/stop cycles on the engine.