Quote:
Originally Posted by Walrus
Does anyone know why they dont offer the smart in a true manual transmission?
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maybe:
1) too many americans no longer know how to shift a manual, and feared few would buy a car they could not shift.
2) on initial launch, too complicated/costly to offer two of something, if they can get by offering one.
when i first drove it, i thought it drove horrible, cause i thought it was a usa typical automatic trans.
when i found out, it has a clutch plate, and shifts and operates just like a standard manual, only an electric motor does your foot work, while the elcetric motor shifts the gears manually for you (ie, manual automatic),
it made a lot of sense, and i wished i could drive it again, to feel it go thru the gears, like i would if i was pushing the clutch in to shift gears. i wanted the manual, because its more mpg efficient than than a typical usa automatic with the same gear ratios.
when i found out, it is indeed what i wanted, my disappoint turned to joy, and curiosity returned to drive it new all over again.
this a a major consumer information point, that the company must clearly emphasize, and easily explain,
ie, that this is the fuel efficient manual clutch plate transmission, and the only difference from typical manual five speeds, is that they added an electric motor, to do your clutch foot pushing work for you.
that little bit of understanding, totally changed my perception of the whole vehicle. and i am a little familiar with engines, as i have re-built an entire engine (one).
for those less mechanically inclined, its even more important to make this easy point clear for anyone to understand.
its not a difficult marketing task. but it makes a huge difference in the cars perception by a potential buyer. it certain did for me.
Today
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