I havent got configuration email. Will I get a 09? Could I get a hybrid?

[mnext02]

I just got an orphan, but still will order my reservation car. I reserved in Nov.
When I get my configuration email will it be for a 09? Any chance they could have a hybrid by then?

[Fredvon4]

mnext02

your Nov reso for a smart car will most likely be an 09 model

NO you will not get offered a MHD (hybrid)

You (and I) will eventually be asked to re-configure the smart because for 09 there will be different option mix, different colors inside and out...but all else will be the same... 1.0L Mitsu motor period! No diesel and no MHD

MHD is not really a hybrid...what they did was eliminate the starter motor and made the alternator (REALLY A GENERATOR) be the starter motor then added some logic programming to determine safe time to just shut off the motor (quickly) and when you need power (instantly) re-start the motor... the idea being to save fuel

BUT for a fact you (and I) will be offered a 09 in damned near exact same configurations as the USA 08 models.... JPaul claims his spy at Hambach sez the Yellow is discontinued for 09 in favor of some Grey color...we have zero info on options and interior colors right now

I expect PAG and smartUSA will not have solid info until June or July...

BTW Penske is on record as desiring to keep MSRP the same for 09 as 08.... I have a hard time (US$$ vs Euro) seeing how he does this .... I expect a $550 to $850 price increase....

Hope this helps

[bradgarbus]

Originally Posted by Fredvon4

mnext02

your Nov reso for a smart car will most likely be an 09 model

NO you will not get offered a MHD (hybrid)

You (and I) will eventually be asked to re-configure the smart because for 09 there will be different option mix, different colors inside and out...but all else will be the same... 1.0L Mitsu motor period! No diesel and no MHD

MHD is not really a hybrid...what they did was eliminate the starter motor and made the alternator (REALLY A GENERATOR) be the starter motor then added some logic programming to determine safe time to just shut off the motor (quickly) and when you need power (instantly) re-start the motor... the idea being to save fuel

BUT for a fact you (and I) will be offered a 09 in damned near exact same configurations as the USA 08 models.... JPaul claims his spy at Hambach sez the Yellow is discontinued for 09 in favor of some Grey color...we have zero info on options and interior colors right now

I expect PAG and smartUSA will not have solid info until June or July...

BTW Penske is on record as desiring to keep MSRP the same for 09 as 08.... I have a hard time (US$$ vs Euro) seeing how he does this .... I expect a $550 to $850 price increase....

Hope this helps

Would be nice if the price stayed the same... I will be one of the ones to get the 09 as well...

Funny you mention the US$ issue. My company announced yesterday we would be building a $700,000 plant expansion here in the US because it is CHEAPER to do the work here, than the loss between the US$ and the Yen... It's pretty bad when foreign companies are bring jobs here because it's cheaper to make it and sell it here... I guess the Bush economic plan is working after all.... Go figure...

[nevis]

I am a Nov 07 reserver and configured last of April. The delivery date estimator says Oct 08 thru Dec 08. Would that not still make it an 08 car vs 09? I really don't care which as I already got an orphan, but I may take the reserved car too. I think with the way gas is going I can't go wrong taking it. I can always sell one or the other and I seriously doubt I will lose money. My wife may keep the current one and I will keep the newer one. That way we won't have to fight over whose turn it is to drive the smart. ;)

[JPaul]

Originally Posted by Fredvon4

[...] JPaul claims his spy at Hambach sez the Yellow is discontinued for 09 in favor of some Grey color...we have zero info on options and interior colors right now

I expect PAG and smartUSA will not have solid info until June or July... [...]

Sorry to disappoint you, Fredvon4, my contact is NOT A SPY. He may actually resent such epithet.
Olivier Amélineau is the Official Media Spokesman for smart/Daimler/Mercedes Classic Car Program, France. He was referred to me by Europôle-Smartville as their Public Relation man number one. You see his byline on the Daimler press page.
But the good news is that I WILL talk to him this Wednesday and I WILL try to squeeze out of him anything I can about the new models (dates, color samples*), and other current major issues.
Of course, I will keep you all posted. And let's hope that his conference in Le Mans Tuesday (I briefly talked to him while he was driving to it - I will ask him what car he drives! ;) ) won't prevent him from our rendez-vous!

* I actually want him to send me either a picture, or at least a link to a picture of a smart (or any other car) with the actual colors he is talking about, because talking about a color is like describing a taste: very subjective. But even a sample is subject to so many variables (settings along the way, especially the viewer's screen) that it may not be that accurate. But it'll give us an idea.

[Fredvon4]

JPaul... only ever meant "spy" as a term of endearment... you ( and by extension all of us here) are fortunate to have an inside scoop on real world smart info...

please extend my apologies if any insult was taken... I did not mean any

And a personal thanks to you for posting the inside tid bits...

[JPaul]

All is fine Fredvon4! I thought it was appropriate to name my source for credibility's sake. I hope I can get what we all want: factual news, and not rumors.

[bradgarbus]

Originally Posted by JPaul

Sorry to disappoint you, Fredvon4, my contact is NOT A SPY. He may actually resent such epithet.
Olivier Amélineau is the Official Media Spokesman for smart/Daimler/Mercedes Classic Car Program, France. He was referred to me by Europôle-Smartville as their Public Relation man number one. You see his byline on the Daimler press page.
But the good news is that I WILL talk to him this Wednesday and I WILL try to squeeze out of him anything I can about the new models (dates, color samples*), and other current major issues.
Of course, I will keep you all posted. And let's hope that his conference in Le Mans Tuesday (I briefly talked to him while he was driving to it - I will ask him what car he drives! ;) ) won't prevent him from our rendez-vous!

* I actually want him to send me either a picture, or at least a link to a picture of a smart (or any other car) with the actual colors he is talking about, because talking about a color is like describing a taste: very subjective. But even a sample is subject to so many variables (settings along the way, especially the viewer's screen) that it may not be that accurate. But it'll give us an idea.

Do some squeezing regarding cruise control ...

[bradgarbus]

Originally Posted by nevis

I am a Nov 07 reserver and configured last of April. The delivery date estimator says Oct 08 thru Dec 08. Would that not still make it an 08 car vs 09? I really don't care which as I already got an orphan, but I may take the reserved car too. I think with the way gas is going I can't go wrong taking it. I can always sell one or the other and I seriously doubt I will lose money. My wife may keep the current one and I will keep the newer one. That way we won't have to fight over whose turn it is to drive the smart. ;)

Also on the brighter side, in most cases, even with the two car payments together it is cheaper that most luxury vehicle payment and combined you still likely get better gas mileage than the one luxury vehicle... Its a win-win!

[The_Q_Man]

I still want my yellow though!