Top Speed in the Smart Fortwo

**SMART** · 05-28-2008, 09:23 AM

So this weekend I braved a long road trip in my 2008 smart fortwo. I had been telling myslef ever since delivery that I would atleast do it once so I decided what better time to do so then Memorial day weekend. While I will hold off on the whole story until later I do want to bring up one great thing I learned and tested for myself, the top speed of the 2008 smart fortwo.

So I'd heard one could do 92 MPH in the smart fortwo and I really wanted to believe its possibly but after nearly 10 test, I just couldn't prove it. What I found is that the smart is actually limited in 5th gear and will not rev over 4400 RPMS. The car has plenty more in it but the motor literally wont rev any further in 5th gear. The top of fourth gear is actually where you hit the highest speed and the second you grab 5th, game over. It feels like you pinch the fuel line right there.

If and when someone comes out with a method to remove the governor, I will gladly purchase and test one as I feel the smart is easily capable of 100 MPH. Either way, here are some shots of the top speed as indicated by GPS and also on the dash.

bottlerocket · 05-28-2008, 09:27 AM

Diiiiittoooo on removing the governator!

spdickey · 05-28-2008, 09:35 AM

The 450 was the same way.... we would floor it, hit about 90 and then nothing more. It could go faster, but just wouldn't. The drive was fine at 90 on smooth flat freeways in Airzona, New Mexico and West Texas.

nscaler · 05-28-2008, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SMART

I have had mine right there too. Going downhill helped.

**jwight** · 05-28-2008, 09:44 AM

GPS is probably more accurate. I think Fred posted that 4th and 5th are both overdrive gears; not sure if you could hit 90 in 4th or not. Don't know about anyone else, but anything approaching 70+ sort of defeats the high mpg capability of the car.

bottlerocket · 05-28-2008, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwight

Don't know about anyone else, but anything approaching 70+ sort of defeats the high mpg capability of the car.

Yes it does....if you are into that sort of thing...

I'm into the 'see how quickly I can scoot around you behemoths' sort of things...and still get 38 mpg

**SMART** · 05-28-2008, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwight

GPS is probably more accurate. I think Fred posted that 4th and 5th are both overdrive gears; not sure if you could hit 90 in 4th or not. Don't know about anyone else, but anything approaching 70+ sort of defeats the high mpg capability of the car.

I don't know jwight, for me I was able to pull 42 mpg round trip with the primary speed above 80 MPH.

ShaneXman · 05-28-2008, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SMART

I don't know jwight, for me I was able to pull 42 mpg round trip with the primary speed above 80 MPH.

Geez...the MPG figures posted are all over the place. If your figures are accurate, I will be VERY happy with my 80 mile commute to and from work. I pick the car up tonight, so we will see if I get as good of results as you do. *fingers crossed*

**SMART** · 05-28-2008, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShaneXman

Geez...the MPG figures posted are all over the place. If your figures are accurate, I will be VERY happy with my 80 mile commute to and from work. I pick the car up tonight, so we will see if I get as good of results as you do. *fingers crossed*

You have to realize it takes some time and personal training good gas mileage. When I started out I was getting 22-27 MPH. I firmly believe that my heavy foot driving in the beginning did a good job on the engine break in and computer training but after the first 4 tanks I reset the computer and since have been able to range anywhere from 36-52 mpg. Aside from that I try and save gas when possible on downhills and try and avoid unneeded down shifts for hills by using the SMG for preemptive downshifts.

lowndex · 05-28-2008, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SMART

You have to realize it takes some time and personal training good gas mileage. When I started out I was getting 22-27 MPH. I firmly believe that my heavy foot driving in the beginning did a good job on the engine break in and computer training but after the first 4 tanks I reset the computer and since have been able to range anywhere from 36-52 mpg. Aside from that I try and save gas when possible on downhills and try and avoid unneeded down shifts for hills by using the SMG for preemptive downshifts.

Please explain how you reset your computer.