Smart Car Roll Bar in the US

18255 Views 47 Replies 26 Participants Last post by fmaxwell, Jan 5, 2009

On the Ground Performance

Discussion Starter · Oct 23, 2008

We just designed a roll bar available for smart cars in the US! We want to let everyone know, we are very excited about the product. It is fully bolt-on, fitting on three factory locations. The roll bar is made from 1-3/4" x .120 Wall DOM, and unlike the European version, the bar coming from the floor to the roll bar is centered rather than offset, so it is centered when viewing the roll bar from outside of the car. Not cutting or drilling is required, and the roll bar comes with new mounting hardware.

We would like to offer a powdercoated version in several different colors, and we would like some input.

On the Ground Performance | Smart Car Roll Bar

Let us know what you think!

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smartHHO

· #2 · Oct 23, 2008

On the Ground Performance said:
We just designed a roll bar available for smart cars in the US! We want to let everyone know, we are very excited about the product. It is fully bolt-on, fitting on three factory locations. The roll bar is made from 1-3/4" x .120 Wall DOM, and unlike the European version, the bar coming from the floor to the roll bar is centered rather than offset, so it is centered when viewing the roll bar from outside of the car. Not cutting or drilling is required, and the roll bar comes with new mounting hardware.

We would like to offer a powdercoated version in several different colors, and we would like some input.

On the Ground Performance | Smart Car Roll Bar

Let us know what you think!

Looks good, but if the car's cage that the car is designed on. It won't need a roll bar thus, this is a waste of $$ for most. The Cabrio already comes with one, but that is mainly due to the side bars come out so the frame then has a weak spot for roll over thus the Cabrio roll bar. But it does look well built. Just don't see that you will be getting tons of orders. Good luck though.

chieftmc

· #3 · Oct 23, 2008

Ditto! A roll bar "inside" the Tridion cell; DUH

Someone didn't think that one through

Does look like "quality" work though

, we wish you good luck.

:smartje.rd.zw:

pdboilermaker

· #4 · Oct 23, 2008

While it is functional, it is clearly designed to be a good look accessory. Like a airfoil wing on a front wheel drive car duh

SunDiego

· #5 · Oct 23, 2008

Seems pretty cool.... My only concern would be trying to reach in the back to get something out of a cooler for example.

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pdboilermaker

· #6 · Oct 23, 2008

Agreed, it would make it difficult to grab your beer

dink74

· #7 · Oct 23, 2008

This bar was not designed to increase the rigidity of the already stout Smart but it was designed with safety in mind which is why we used 1-3/4" x .120 Wall DOM (Drawn Over Mandrel) Tubing and not exhaust tubing like similar bars on the market are made from, The other bars offered for the Smart are not thick walled or designed to hold up in a crash, causing them to become more dangerous to the cars occupants. If your Cabrio is involved in a rollover this OTGP's bar will add to the safe area around your head because as shown in the pictures it is slightly taller than the seat and as stated it is made of real roll bar material thus giving it the strength to hold up in a roll over.

Also as stated at the top of the post OTGP wants to offer powder coating of this unit so it can match your other accesories.

I have also contacted a Lexan distributer about a Lexan panel for between the seat hoops to act as a wind screen in the cabrio. Either clear or with the Smart logo engraved into it.

Dink

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fmaxwell

· #8 · Oct 23, 2008

Nice product...

It looks pretty good, but would need triangulation to pass an SCCA tech inspection -- and for more rigidity. Something extending from the loops to the rear corners like this Hard Dog Miata roll bar:

But that would defeat the no-drill aspect of the design.

I'm not of that opinion that the smart car's safety can't be improved upon, but if one really wants top-notch safety, then a roll cage is probably the best way to go.

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On the Ground Performance

Discussion Starter · #9 · Oct 24, 2008

Just to clarify, it's not designed to be an additional safety feature, but to be an aesthetic feature that is safe. The European version is very light duty and only for an accessory purpose, which is the main reason people are interested in it- for the visual effect. But why no make it to where it is at least safe? By using a heavier and stronger material, it gives you the look as well as added integrity. Make no mistake, we could design a full cage that would make this car indestructible from 360 degrees, but that's not practical for the day to day enthusiast. We're making an affordable and better unit for domestic smart cars, and you can get it painted to match your car. And besides the fact, it's a smart car with a roll bar!! What's not to like?

Cheers!

SunDiego

· #10 · Oct 24, 2008 (Edited)

Will be interesting to see who buys one. They are nice but I won't be getting one at $600!

I'm sure there is a lot of work involved in producing something like this. Good luck! Nice product.

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Evilution

· #11 · Oct 24, 2008

Another pointless mod (apart from looks), although if you are just going for looks, you just don't need something as heavy duty as this. The Tridion is very strong, much stronger than this roll bar. I would be concerned about this roll bar transferring crash forces through the car and even hindering the tridion in a big crash.

brian r

· #12 · Oct 25, 2008

Evilution said:
Another pointless mod (apart from looks), although if you are just going for looks, you just don't need something as heavy duty as this. The Tridion is very strong, much stronger than this roll bar. I would be concerned about this roll bar transferring crash forces through the car and even hindering the tridion in a big crash.

:bigthumbup:

The welding looks pretty sloppy for $600.

Smart Enuf

· #13 · Oct 25, 2008

This roll bar presents an opportunity for mounting those rear-facing LCD monitors some folks have been clamoring for and play DVDs for the tailgaters that are following you! Pointless, indeed!

brian r

· #14 · Oct 25, 2008

Smart Enuf said:
This roll bar presents an opportunity for mounting those rear-facing LCD monitors some folks have been clamoring for and play DVDs for the tailgaters that are following you! Pointless, indeed!

Wow, was I wrong-sign me up!

Now someone needs to develop a power remote hatch window actuator. I can't wait to see cheering in my rear-view mirror as the window opens and a new episode of Dora the Explorer begins while stopped at a red light.

Smart Enuf

· #15 · Oct 25, 2008

brian r said:
Wow, was I wrong-sign me up!

Now someone needs to develop a power remote hatch window actuator. I can't wait to see cheering in my rear-view mirror as the window opens and a new episode of Dora the Explorer begins while stopped at a red light.

Yes, don't forget the rear facing speakers, too. Marine wakeboard style with the highly touted Polk DB651 speakers would do nicely for making sure Dora gets the word out:

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smartHHO

· #16 · Oct 27, 2008

Evilution said:
Another pointless mod (apart from looks), although if you are just going for looks, you just don't need something as heavy duty as this. The Tridion is very strong, much stronger than this roll bar. I would be concerned about this roll bar transferring crash forces through the car and even hindering the tridion in a big crash.

As Evil points out, this bar over what is installed from the manufacturer is pointless. You all took out the bar that is installed by the factory to install this one. Waste of money. The tridon cell has proved itself more then one time over the 10 year span. Why would someone waste they money to put in a different bar that might work. How do you plan on testing your bar? Theory is no good. Smart tested their bar and has been approved for market. Guy in NJ already rolled his smart ceveral times and it ended up fine. It relied on the Tridon only.

Osiris

· #17 · Oct 27, 2008

You guys are missing the intended audience....American BRABUS owners.

forestacademy

· #18 · Oct 27, 2008

2

You guys are missing the point. Its not a roll bar, its a light bar

f
for when you take the smart off roading

Now can this realy be a smart with 5 bolt wheels?

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Old smart

· #19 · Oct 27, 2008

When we use legitimate rollbars, for safety reasons any portion of the bar in the close vicinity of the driver's body is over-clad with thick, resilient padding. Looks like style over safety in this case.

A lot of engineering was involved with the safety design of the W451 smart's interior for Euro NCAPS and NHTSA, none of it calling for the drivers and passengers to be abutting bare steel tubing.

MB DNA

· #20 · Oct 28, 2008

"Let us know what you think!"

I think: :badidea:

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