UK 2010 specs released

[NukleoN]

Are any of the bigger-engine smarts coming to the U.S.?

[jwight]

The only thing certain so far is the all electric ED model coming in late 2010 (limited areas), with full production cars available in 2012.

[GHammerly]

smart will have to bring something new every so often to keep up the interest. I hope they develop a larger diesel engine (1.2 liter CDI for ex.)with at least 70 HP. Other thing I would love to see is a dual fuel (gasoline CNG) smart with a small CNG tank good for 80-100 mile range on natural gas and a affordable in home refueling station.

[superstevie]

Originally Posted by GHammerly

smart will have to bring something new every so often to keep up the interest. I hope they develop a larger diesel engine (1.2 liter CDI for ex.)with at least 70 HP. Other thing I would love to see is a dual fuel (gasoline CNG) smart with a small CNG tank good for 80-100 mile range on natural gas and a affordable in home refueling station.

Doubt there will be a bigger diesel engine. The 800cc engine is pretty good! Not as slow as the figures suggest, especially in gear acceleration. The update includes a more powerful version of this engine. Power is up 9bhp to 54. Doesnt sounds much, but the torque is a very healthy 130NM.

CNG wont happen either. Its not caught on in europe at all, so doubt smart would do this for one market.

Originally Posted by jwight

The only thing certain so far is the all electric ED model coming in late 2010 (limited areas), with full production cars available in 2012.

ED is going to be released to customer willing to lease it in Q3/Q4 of 2010 i've heard

[Brabus]

Yeah, 9hp doesn't sound like much. I bought that Breathless Exhaust version 3 and tried it in my Smart. It's said to have 5 or 7HP additional power over stock. I couldn't tell any difference. Only thing that seemed to change was the noise levels. I sold it. I wish they'd get serious with the Brabus models and offer at least around 115hp.

I drove a 2009 Smart Passion mhd in Europe for 10 days...it's was okay, not overly impressed. You really needed to turn it off when parking in a tight space but that's the nice thing about it is you can turn it off. I liked it though for city traffic but for parking I found it annoying.

Originally Posted by superstevie

Doubt there will be a bigger diesel engine. The 800cc engine is pretty good! Not as slow as the figures suggest, especially in gear acceleration. The update includes a more powerful version of this engine. Power is up 9bhp to 54. Doesnt sounds much, but the torque is a very healthy 130NM.

[superstevie]

Originally Posted by Brabus

Yeah, 9hp doesn't sound like much. I bought that Breathless Exhaust version 3 and tried it in my Smart. It's said to have 5 or 7HP additional power over stock. I couldn't tell any difference. Only thing that seemed to change was the noise levels. I sold it. I wish they'd get serious with the Brabus models and offer at least around 115hp.

I drove a 2009 Smart Passion mhd in Europe for 10 days...it's was okay, not overly impressed. You really needed to turn it off when parking in a tight space but that's the nice thing about it is you can turn it off. I liked it though for city traffic but for parking I found it annoying.

9bhp might not sound much, but when you consider its an 18% boost over the old engine, plus the torque is better than the petrol, it should make for a fun little car. I love my diesel fortwo with just 45bhp. Rarely does it feeling lacking compared to our petrol

As for the MHD, i know what you mean about when parking but at leasy ou can turn it off. Its not the best stop/start system out there, but its not bad either. Its very strange going into my mates car who has it, and when he stops at a junction it all goes quiet!

[saronian]

The Pioneer AVIC-U310BT in dash unit does look like an interesting, simplified, upgrade for current owners. $450 - $600 depending on source, plus extra cost features.

[jwight]

Has anybody seen the Kenwood units scheduled for the USA cars?

[Redwarf]

Originally Posted by GHammerly

smart will have to bring something new every so often to keep up the interest. I hope they develop a larger diesel engine (1.2 liter CDI for ex.)with at least 70 HP. Other thing I would love to see is a dual fuel (gasoline CNG) smart with a small CNG tank good for 80-100 mile range on natural gas and a affordable in home refueling station.

Nothing like changing what the smart is all about. A larger diesel? how about the one they currently use that get 60+ MPG, I'd also like to see them bring the 6 speed trans back, I don't care they can call it a 5 speed with over drive...LOL The CNG isn't a bad Idea though. They have them on fork trucks but they are LPG.

[jwight]

Natural Gas car available now - Honda Civic GX, MSRP starts at $25,190.