vw-smart comparison

[andywert]

I'm trying to post a comparison chart but I'm having difficulty getting my data to line up. I'll work on it tonight. Long story made short is that the tech specs for a 2008 smart 451 is very close to an early 1960s VW 1200. more to follow

[jwight]

Yes, you do.

[dennyrex]

not sure where andywert's going with this, but I was comparing two of my former rides with my future ride to get an idea where the smart sits.
each of these were my only car at the time, all were acquired near-new (~7k miles) and all were driven extensively, city & highway.

1970 Subaru 360:
rear engine / rear drive
seats: 4
wheelbase: 70.9"
length: 117.7"
width: 51.2"
height: 54.3"
weight: 900 lb.
0-50 mph: 37 seconds
mpg: 40 / 50

1976 Renault R5
front engine / front drive
seats: 4
wheelbase: 95.7" (more or less, L /R wheelbase was different)
length: 146.6"
height: 52.9"
weight: 1600 lb.
mpg: 28 / 40

2008 smart fortwo
rear engine / rear drive
seats: 2
wheelbase: 73.5"
length: 106.1"
width: 61.4"
height: 60.7"
weight: 1808 lb.
0-60 mph: 13.3 seconds
mpg: 33 / 41

So, I think I'll be right at home with the smart. the height will be a noticeable difference, though.

[andywert]

I had a VW 1200 back in the 1960s and currently have a rail-type dune buggy powered by the eng-trans of the era. Many have compared the smart to the beetle as being a era-changing automotive statement. What surprises me is how alike the specs are. See what you think.

[andywert]

[Smarttex]

The 1955 Speedster I own makes 73 hp with 78 ft/lbs and weighs 1690 lbs dry. Gets about 30 mpg. Originally with 16 inch bias-ply tires - currently riding on 15 inch rubber. Top speed is about 90 mph. No AC though. My '59 sunroof coupe weighs about 2000 lbs has 74 hp and 79 ft lbs and came with 15 inch (by 165) tires. Coupe will run 105-110 mph all day long (higher gearing) at nearly 30 mpg. AC is a block of dry ice on your lap! Both cars have a longer range than our Smart as they hold 12 gallons of fuel. However there is certainly no tridion cell to protect you - just about 1/16 of an inch of steel and some leather door panels. Both of the Porsches are much faster in the curves of course but otherwise a lot of the basic criteria are strikingly similar.