My Honda Hybrid has the autostart and Honda does not make many poor engineering decisions. Daimler is another company that is known for its engineering prowess. I really doubt that it is better for a modern engine to idle than to be turned off. In the old days of inefficient intake manifolds, carbs & ingnition systems, excess fuel would run down the cylinder walls on startup and delute the oil and remove the cylinder wall lubricant. This was bad for engines and did cause them to wear out more quickly. Most of these engines would have weak compression due to worn rings & bearings by 100K miles. With fuel injection & electronic engine managment controls this is not longer a problem and most will run well past 200K miles w/o need of rings & bearings.
I had rented a BMW325 while in Germany, recently. It was equipped with the stop/start function. Every time I put the manual 6 speed gear into neutral and let go of the clutch, the motor stopped. As soon as I stepped on the clutch pedal, it would start-up again. Thinking of all the cars that do usually just idle for sometimes minutes when stopped at a red light or train crossing, I like it very much and would opt for it, if it where a choice.
The MHD gets 4.3 l/km which works out to 55 mpg. The smart CDi gets 3.3 l/km, though, which works out to 71 mpg.
Diesels are almost universally better than gas hybrids. It's just the Toyota hype machine that has made most people think that hybrids are the way to go.
You forget the EPA has a lot to say about diesels here in the US. Apparently the diesel version of the smart is unable to pass the stringent new emissions regulations.
You forget the EPA has a lot to say about diesels here in the US. Apparently the diesel version of the smart is unable to pass the stringent new emissions regulations.
Yes, but IF it ever does, LOOK OUT !!!!!!!!! Here we come. I would definitely buy one!
You forget the EPA has a lot to say about diesels here in the US. Apparently the diesel version of the smart is unable to pass the stringent new emissions regulations.
Oh no, I'm well aware of the EPA's role in making diesels harder to import. Anyone who has ever purchased a diesel knows how expensive that option usually is, and it's not because diesels are that much harder to manufacture. It's because getting them tested and approved is so expensive. European regulations are much more reasonable about particulates.
Regardless, the hybrid hype is mostly coming out of Toyota. US manufacturers looked at hybrids back in the late 80's and determined that they just didn't offer enough of an advantage to be worthwhile. Toyota decided to use the Prius to re-shape its image, and presto! Now hybrids are all the rage.
Give me a Jetta TDI over a Prius any day.
Now if someone *cough*VW*cough* would make a hybrid diesel *cough*Golf TDI hybrid*cough*... THAT would be amazing!
Hopefully the diesel cars in the 3 liter/100kms class will make it to the states soon. What I really wanted to configure was the MHD diesel. For the bulk of my needs, that combo would have been ideal. Now I'm debating if I really want the Smart at all. The delayed delivery doesn't make that any easier.
The whole appeal for me has been mpg driven. I never even considered the gas version until we were stuck with it.
Knutliott - Polo or Lupo hybrid TDI. Those would get me excited more than a Golf.
II. Importing a Mercedes Smart Car.
A vehicle that was not originally manufactured to conform to all applicable FMVSS cannot be lawfully imported into the U.S. unless it is first determined by NHTSA to be eligible for importation. The agency makes these decisions on the basis of petitions from. These are business entities that are specifically approved by NHTSA to import nonconforming vehicles and to perform the necessary modifications on those vehicles so that they conform to all applicable FMVSS. The petitions must specify that the vehicle is substantially similar to a U.S.-certified vehicle, or that the vehicle has safety features that comply with, or are capable of being altered to comply with, the FMVSS based on destructive test information or other evidence the agency deems adequate.
Import eligibility decisions are made on a make, model, and model year basis. In early 2004, we granted import eligibility to the 2003-2004 glass top and convertible versions of the Passion model Smart Car, and to the 2002-2004 Passion, Pulse, and Pure model Smart Cars. More recently, the agency granted import eligibility to the 2005 and 2006 Smart Car Coupe and Cabriolet (including Passion, Pulse, and Pure trim levels), and to the 2007 version of those vehicles manufactured before September 1, 2006. As a result of these decisions, any of the model and model year vehicles identified above can be imported by an RI or by a person who has a contract with an RI to bring the vehicle into conformity with all applicable FMVSS. A list of RIs that are currently in active status can be found on our website at http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import. You might wish to contact one or more of the RIs on that list to learn the cost of modifying one of these vehicles so that it conforms to all applicable FMVSS.
We have made a blanket import eligibility decision that covers all Canadian-certified passenger cars manufactured on or after September 1, 2002, that, as originally manufactured, are equipped with an automatic restraint system that complies with our occupant crash protection standard and that also were originally manufactured to comply with other specified standards. Because we have been advised by the Smart Car’s manufacturer that Canadian-certified Smart Cars manufactured before October 30, 2007 do not meet one or more of the specified standards, those vehicles can only be lawfully imported if they have been determined eligible for importation on a separate make, model, and model year basis. The manufacturer informed us that Canadian-certified Smart Cars manufactured on or after October 30, 2007 are originally manufactured to meet all the specified standards. Canadian-certified Smart Cars manufactured on or after that date can therefore be imported under the blanket import eligibility decision that covers all Canadian-certified passenger cars.
Questions regarding modifications to conform the vehicle to applicable emissions standards should be directed to the EPA.
It also depends a lot on what the charge would be for the MHD option. It has to be a justified expense so that the owner sees payback for the investment in the MHD drive.
So if it improves gas mileage by 5 mpg, that would save about 36 gallons of gas over a year (12,000 miles). If you want to show it break even in the first year, the option cost would be $135 (assuming gas cost of $3.75 per gallon). I have a feeling that smart would charge more than $135 for the MHD option.
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