Updated smart on the way?

“the absolute least-refined powerplant available in a passenger car sold in the U.S.”

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Far from it IMHO.

:smartje.wt.zw:The tranny is the least refined item in the car, Not the engine.

Smart’s sales have been on the decline over the past few years, including a sharp drop in U.S. sales

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And what was the baseline they are using to determin this

oh well, as long as people (and journalists ;-) insist on ignoring the design specs and intended usage information on a device they are always apt to mis-interpret the results.
my transmission does exactly what it's supposed to do and very smoothly.
funny though that we need to depend on lazy writers who have no need for or intention to ever own a smart to "explain" it to the rest, some of whom will...

At first thought I'm hoping they don't design out all the unique qualities of the fortwo. Then again that would make the current model even more special.

Two New Smart Models? It would be nice if one of the new models was a roadster. I think a four seater would also be nice.

It's survival of the fittest. The market has no feelings. Smart needs to sell more cars and to do that they need to get people back into the showrooms. It amazes me there aren't at least some other engine and transmission options by now.

The rest of the world gets it; the USA market doesn't get it at all: Why do you want more models and more options, when the purpose of the car is to provide an economical, safe and dependable two seat option to the market?
The Roadster is a niche vehicle and had a good run, but failed to sell enough to survive. The ForFour was just another Mitzu in disguise and wasn't able to compete with other small four door cars available on this planet, but not necessarily in the USA. I doubt if it would have a chance of survival now, if it were resurected.
Our 2007 Passion does everything it was ever intended to do, is reliable and we've had to do nothing and have only added a spare tire behind the passenger seat.
That said, I fault the dealer organization and the importer in the USA for not advertising the smart heavily in the USA to get it off the ground, especially in the failing US economy.

Well put RVGRINGO!

The only item I do not agree with is smart USA spending money to advertise for a vehicle that production could not meet initial demands.

I still do not think regular advertising is the way to go with the smart. Staging test drives to best cover the whole of the U.S. is a better way to sell the vehicle and ultimately less expensive.

Teat drives don't work if folks continue to have the "Death trap" perception. They won't go near the car. Adds need to be placed to show it is safe

It would be nice if the interior could be updated to look more like that of the 450. And the Little Tikes/Playskool pebbled finish on the hard plastic bits has to go! The passive knee crusher/smasher ("restraint") should go too, but that's not possible due to US laws...

Oh and how about some decent exterior colours?

hello ,i hav had my smart passion for a month now ,it gets great milage and i love it, but i am also going to trade it. people saying stuff, dirty looks ,laughing, gettig up your rear end i hav had it, if you drive something different they can not take it, if you are not driving a mini van or 4x4 forget ,dirty looks evey were i an sick of it and gettin a small 4 door , what a shame td

Don't run with the herd

You are not a better person driving a minivan.

beetle1953 said:

hello ,i hav had my smart passion for a month now ,it gets great milage and i love it, but i am also going to trade it. people saying stuff, dirty looks ,laughing, gettig up your rear end i hav had it, if you drive something different they can not take it, if you are not driving a mini van or 4x4 forget ,dirty looks evey were i an sick of it and gettin a small 4 door , what a shame td

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On my test drives, I only got smiles per mile...

Don't mind them, don't be a lemming. If they're on your rear, drive slower, give them the middle finger, laugh back...

Just don't, DON'T be a lemming and sell the car you love just because some *holes are pointing and laughing. Be proud of what you drive, forget them all...

beetle1953 said:

hello ,i hav had my smart passion for a month now ,it gets great milage and i love it, but i am also going to trade it. people saying stuff, dirty looks ,laughing, gettig up your rear end i hav had it, if you drive something different they can not take it, if you are not driving a mini van or 4x4 forget ,dirty looks evey were i an sick of it and gettin a small 4 door , what a shame td

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I'm sorry that other peoples baseless opinions have so much weight on your decisions. But you have to do what makes you feel comfortable.










Peer Pressure anyone, Come on all the cool kids are doing it