Extra Weight (US vs. EU)

[Bill Marshall]

A quick check of the smart websites in English speaking countries revealed that the smart fortwo sold in the US & Canada is 158 pounds heavier than the version sold in the UK & Australia with the same 1 liter, 999 cc engine - despite the fact that the European/Australian version has the extra weight of mhd, which is standard equipment on their fortwo's.

So, where's the extra weight in our cars?

Side air bags are not standard equipment in Europe, so that's something, but it doesn't equal 158 pounds + the weight of mhd equipment (unknown weight).

Clearly this extra 10% weight partially explains the difference in fuel economy in Europe vs USA.

Any ideas/information are welcome.

[Smart Bob]

Some of the extra weight has to be from the extra sidebar door beams and bumper supports. The DOT required glass in the US as well as additional emission control systems will also add weight.

[Bill Marshall]

Originally Posted by Smart Bob

Some of the extra weight has to be from the extra sidebar door beams and bumper supports. The DOT required glass in the US as well as additional emission control systems will also add weight.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Are you saying that the US fortwo has real glass in the windshield, side, & back windows but the Euro version has plastic?

I assumed that the emissons requirements had something to do with it, so the first thing I looked for was the catalytic converter, but the Euro has one of those, so that's not it. Maybe some other emissions equipment.

It just seems like a lot of weight for a car this size. With the mhd equipment included, the difference is probably 175 - 200 pounds. on a US car that's barely over 1800 pounds itself.

[Old smart]

How does the RHD UK/AU smart compare to the LHD Continental smart? The RHD seats mountings and pedals are a little different (higher) than the LHD. Does the U.S. state curb weight with fuel onboard (55#) and the EU "dry?"

[chieftmc]

Originally Posted by Bill Marshall

...So, where's the extra weight in our cars......

In MY smart, it's on me

[headless]

I've heard they have to beef up the chassis and add support girders underneath to take the extra weight of the average american, and strengthen the seats and make them wider.
That's what I heard, honest, don't shoot the messenger.

[Bill Marshall]

Originally Posted by Old smart

How does the RHD UK/AU smart compare to the LHD Continental smart? The RHD seats mountings and pedals are a little different (higher) than the LHD. Does the U.S. state curb weight with fuel onboard (55#) and the EU "dry?"

The weight in both the US & European literature is simply listed as "curb weight". The US specs add "without driver". No other comments.

I don't have any comparisons between the RHD & the LHD.

[Bill Marshall]

In researching this topic, I did come up with some specific differences between US & Euro versions:

1. The US version has a quicker deployment of its air bags than the Euro version. I don't know if this involves any extra equipment.

2. When the old smart 450 was converted to US spec's for gray market sale here, it required 23 specific changes to comply with US safety & emissions requirements. I imagine that at least some of those were incorporated into the redesign for the 451 & are now common to both continents, but it's likely that some are simply add ons for this market & therefore add weight.

3. The US version has a wider front bumper. The crash boxes are 2.5 inches longer than for the European model. This obviously adds weight.

4. The bumper in the new smart fortwo is made of high strength steel. I couldn't tell from the wording in the article I read whether this is true of the European version as well. Given the different safety requirements, it may be a USA-specific feature. If so, this would add weight.

I'm still digging.

[Kermit]

Originally Posted by headless

I've heard they have to beef up the chassis and add support girders underneath to take the extra weight of the average american, and strengthen the seats and make them wider.
That's what I heard, honest, don't shoot the messenger.

Don't make me break out that tube of toothpaste and wash your mouth out again.......

[Macaw]

Aren't the side air bags optional in Europe?