Smart Car Blog

Winding it up

2011-05-09T10:28:00.001-07:00

That is one way to power the car.

AutoBlog Tells us the Smart will go start/stop on us!

2008-07-11T14:35:00.001-07:00

YAHOO!!!!

The already fuel efficient Smart fortwo will soon become even more stingy with the petrol when start-stop technology is employed fleet-wide beginning in October. The start-stop technology, which is called "micro hybrid" by Smart, works by cutting off the engine during braking when the vehicle speed drops below five mph. According to Smart, the engine restarts immediately when the brake is released and the technology will result in a fuel savings of 8 percent, bringing consumption in the US EPA cycle to about 44 mpg on the highway and 36 mpg in the city. CO2 emissions will also be reduced by 9g/km, now netting 103g/km. The technology will also be available on the CDI Smart when it hits production next year, but as of right now, the diesel fortwo isn't coming Stateside.

[Source: AutoBlog]

Ron Tonkin Whines about the Smart Car

2008-07-07T12:46:00.001-07:00

Having been passed over for a Portland/NW Smart dealership in favor of Kuni, Ron Tonkin whines about the Smart in this mornings Boregonian.

>>>>Monday, July 07, 2008

The Oregonian

Regarding your Business story concerning Oswego Luxury and its problems ("Complaints send cops to arrest auto dealer," July 3), I want to point out that we were offered Smart Cars from G&K Automotive Conversion well before anyone else. However, the price they would have had to be sold for was between $23,000 and $28,000. I felt I could never have faced a client who paid that kind of money for a vehicle that was going to be able to be sold by a franchised dealer in just a few months for $14,000 to $19,000. So I refused that opportunity.

I certainly made the right choice and I am glad I did.

Our dealerships offer clients a choice of a Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris or Nissan Versa at the price of a Smart Car. Those cars have accommodations for four people, have a usable trunk and take regular gas while delivering similar mileage and a lot more comfort.

The Smart Car has room for only two, requires premium fuel and has a trunk that holds little more than a valise. I bought a Smart Car myself just to see if it was all I thought it promised. It is not and I'm selling it. I am pleased we did not obtain the franchise.

As an aside, the city of Portland bought more than one Smart Car at an exorbitant price. I was extremely critical of the city doing so at the time and said so in an interview with The Oregonian. The city made a poor choice with taxpayer money.

RON TONKIN Northeast Portland <<<<

View Original Article

Driving Your Smart in Your Garage

2008-06-23T21:20:00.001-07:00

Have you ever thought about better ways to make use of your garage? How about driving in and driving out of it? Well the smart makes things like this possible. See for yourself.

Smart Fortwo Meet at Infineon Raceway, Sanoma - Hosted by WORKS

2008-06-22T12:30:00.001-07:00

Smart Fortwo Meet at Infineon Raceway, Sonoma – Hosted by WORKS

Who: Bay Area Smart Owners and Soon-To-Be-Smart-Owners
What: Tech Sessions, Autocross, Discounted WORKS “Smarter” performance products and Barbeque
When: June 28 – 11 a.m.
Where: WORKS @ Infineon Raceway (Sears Point) – South Shops just past the go kart track
Why: Because it is summer, there are a lot more Smarts on the road, and this is long overdue…
Cost: $30 per person - $10 to NASA, $20 to WORKS.

I appreciate the Bay Area Smart community’s patience with me in organizing this meet. It has been a lot of work getting to this point – much more than any of us originally bargained for - but by the look of things, it will have been well worth the wait.

Just to give a little sense of what has been involved. We have not only had to expedite the development of the WORKS “Smarter” line of performance parts, but also had to work with NASA to secure the driving course, secure insurance to cover our driving during the event, hire an ambulance, secure volunteer driving instructors, and ensure that engineers and staff are available, not to mention getting all the food and drinks lined up. Phew!

Smart Aznom is Hot!

2008-04-02T22:12:00.001-07:00

Aznom’s smart creation is out to tender, or so they say. The smart fortwo Aznom Tender to Track has all the right ingredients to change a man’s mind about how feminine smart is as a car and a brand. Aznom, for the sharp eye, is Monza splled backwards, the name associated with a famous Italian race track on which dreams have been created and lost over countless years.

Now the partnership with Autodromo Nazionale di Monza has resulted in this Aznom smart, quite sporty and exclusive in its layout. Interior is laden with carbon-fiber detailing that blends in with the alcantara and leather interior. Master Rossano Brambilla is responsible of the carbon inlets that skillfully wrap around such items as the round old school clock.

Leather seats not found on the standard car feature as comfort creatures as they blend with alcantara seat interior to create a luxurious yet sporty living environment. Even the steering wheel cannot escape the alcantara/ carbon-fiber/ leather trinity, and ends up taking all three. It works though. All ten cars being dressed this way will look the same, the only difference being their serial numbers, which are hard to find unless you have binocular eyes.

See more of the smart fortwo monza at Smart Car of America.

smart center ready to go with cars

2008-03-23T21:34:00.001-07:00

Check out smart center Indianapolis loaded with colorful smart cars!

If you like the smart let me hear a bark

2008-03-23T21:32:00.001-07:00

Looks like more then the wife and the kids are getting into the smart feeling this year! Check out this smart dog all ready to go in his hot new red smart fortwo.

Smart Car on the Edge - Please don't drop that smart

2008-03-23T21:30:00.001-07:00

THis smart looks like its t-minus 10 seconds from being dropped on it's head. Chances are it will make it to it's new owner safely thought!

Do we have a match, Smart Crosstown vs Scion Hako

2008-03-21T08:16:00.001-07:00

With the New York Auto Show pumping out new rides and showing off crazy designs by each automaker, it makes me wander if Scion took a look over at smart's old rides and said that they can make a comeback of the smart crosstown.

More on the Hako:

NEW YORK, March 19, 2008 -- Scion unveiled its Hako Coupe Concept vehicle at a press conference today at the New York International Auto Show. Scion's Hako Coupe was developed by Tokyo Design Division, which studied global, youth-inspired trends. Japanese and American youth cultures often influence each other and are interpreted with a unique twist. The Hako Coupe Concept was inspired by the iconic xB and the emergence of American vintage style among young Tokyo trendsetters.

"Scion's Hako Coupe Concept embodies a distinct global perspective on today's youth," said Jack Hollis, Scion vice president. "This type of forward thinking complements the Scion philosophy of intently listening to our customers and being willing to take risks to help us see where our brand should be. We took the xB's iconic boxy shape and explored something more vivacious, yet just as emotionally appealing. This concept is the sporty version of a box."

The smart car slalom

2008-03-15T17:24:00.001-07:00

Check out all these smarts in a high speed slalom.

Is the smart fortwo right for a minimalist?

2008-03-11T14:18:00.000-07:00

A Smart Car of America recently wrote:

I just received my invitation to configure 3/06/08 (Res #1324) and I need some help from actual Pure owners (or first-hand experts) before I finalize my configuration.

I'm trying to stick with my minimalist inclinations, so the Pure appeals to me, however I haven't been able to actually see the trim level up close. My dealer is over an hour drive away and maybe someone can help me avoid a long drive just to answer a few simple questions.

1) In order to adjust the sideview mirrors, do you roll the window down and grab hold of the sideview mirror? Or is there a manual knob inside the door that manipulates the mirror (without electrics)?

2) Where is the window winder and how smoothly does it operate? How many rotations to completely raise (or lower) the window? Does the window go all the way down or is any glass remaining above the sill (can I rest my left elbow out the window)? Is it a real stretch across from the driver's seat to wind the passenger window?

3) Does the Grey interior have any print pattern on it (the Passion has some kind of a design). Other than the Grey color, is there any difference between the upholstery and interior trim on the Pure & the Passion?

Smart Fortwo and a BMW M6

2008-02-26T07:35:00.001-08:00

Who would have guessed that the smart fortwo would be making friends with the likes of BMW owners. Well it's true as we see here where there is a smart fortwo out cruising the roads with a BMW m6 that shows him what speed is about just towards the tail end of the video.

the smart fortwo is small

2008-02-08T20:32:00.001-08:00

Everyone is right, the smart fortwo is small. Look how small this guy's smart fortwo is.

Smart fortwo: bigger and better built - but gearbox niggles have not been resolved

2008-02-03T10:59:00.001-08:00

CULT car the Smart fortwo has been redesigned from the ground up - but fans of the tiny city car need not worry because its distinctive looks have barely altered.

A subtle upgrade to its appearance has taken place though and because of tightened safety requirements the fortwo is now four centimetres wider and almost 20 centimetres longer - which in a car measuring just under 2.7 metres is quite a lot indeed.

The changes not only boost luggage capacity from a minute 150 litres to a far more practical 220 litres but also, says Smart, iron out the original's bouncy ride by allowing engineers to design the car with a longer wheelbase.

And out on the road, the new car does indeed feel a lot more civilised. But it's still a long way from owning and driving a traditional supermini - and the MPV-style driving position and still astonishingly short dimensions really do take getting some getting used to. In fact that raised driving position could leave the driver thinking they are behind the wheel of a people carrier - until a quick glance of the left shoulder reveals the rear windscreen within centimetres of the nose.

The car's notorious semi-automatic gearchange has been redesigned. However, but for some mysterious reason many of the niggles still remain.

Much like the old model, the new system eliminates the need for a clutch and the driver simply pushes the gear lever up or down to swap cogs (owners of the sportier passion models also get steering wheel-mounted paddles as standard).

Smart claims "shift delays" have been cut by more than half compared to the previous model - but the change from first to second gear in particular is still frustratingly slow and, as in the original, all five gear changes are accompanied by an annoying jerkiness.

That's a real shame because the interior of the new car has really been moved up a grade, with better quality plastics, fabric-covered areas on both the dashboard and door panels and a greater feeling of space.

The latest Smart comes with a new one-litre engine available in either 61bhp, 71bhp or 84bhp states of tune. An 85mpg 45bhp diesel offering is also due to arrive in the UK in left-hand drive form later this year. The 1.0 litre emits 112g/CO2 which puts it in the £35 a year road tax bracket.

There are three model in the range - pure, pulse and passion - and every model comes with electronic stability control. Disappointingly, electric power-assisted steering remains on the options list for all models.

Despite the gearchange grumbles the new Smart is still a hoot to drive about town where its small size really does come into its own when you're hunting for a much-prized parking spot. And the 71bhp engine tested delivers enough go to make regular motorway journeys a totally realistic proposition.

But with narrow 155/60 15-inch tyres at the front and larger 175/55 15-inchers at the rear, the Smart is never going to be that much fun around the twisty bits.

With a host of electronic gadgets to keep the Smart and its driver in check - perhaps most noticeably the steering set-up which dramatically gets juggernaut heavy if you try to whiz around a corner too enthusiastically - the little car is at its best at more moderate speeds.

The £8,540 passion model tested might only have room for two but, power steering aside, it packs in enough standard equipment for a whole family - with a glass panoramic roof, air conditioning, ESP, electric windows and alloy wheels all coming in the price.

The latest smart fortwo has enough quality to retain its cult following but it's a real shame that Smart didn't take the opportunity to banish those gearbox niggles once and for all. - Neil Greenfield

Another Happy Smartie

2008-01-31T19:25:00.001-08:00

The smart fortwos seem to keep on coming which is great news.

Here is the latest happy smartie!

smart center Chandler Arizona

2008-01-31T19:15:00.003-08:00

Well you may not get the chance to go visit each and every smart center but we will do our best to help you out!

Here is smart center Chandler Arizona, the only home of the smart fortwo in Arizona.

Even Animals Like the Smart Fortwo

2008-01-31T19:15:00.001-08:00

Looks like this dog is very attentive to the smart fortwo.

Smart Car Accessories

2007-12-15T18:01:00.001-08:00

Dying to know what cool accessories Smart USA... well wait no longer!

Three New Videos From the Guys at Smart

2007-12-10T20:47:00.001-08:00

Smart Car recently teamed up with an agency out of New York to put up these low cost videos that ehy hope to be viral... you tell us!

The Smart Car Can Turn on a Dime

2007-12-02T09:58:00.001-08:00

Worried that you are going to tip you Smart Fortwo? Well I was to in the beginning but after watching this video I have no worries. I am giving the Smart Fortwo a A+ on handling which is a much better score then the power.

Smart Car on Red Bull

2007-10-18T20:04:00.001-07:00

Smart Fortwo on Red Bull spotted in Downtown Boston.

Inside the Smart House in Venice, CA

2007-10-18T01:27:00.001-07:00

Who would have guessed? The Smart Fortwo is only a few months from arriving here in the states, the media is buzzing about this car, and the wait list over at smart usa is growing by the day, so what does smart gmbh do to us? They go ahead and open up one amazing Smart House to show off their sleek design and uber cool Smart Car to even more people!

MORE PHOTOS INSIDE!!!

The Smart House is not only an amazing modern condo converted to showroom setting, but a hot spot in the already trendy Abbot Kinney. The smart team has the placed decorated amazingly... fitting the smart fortwo feeling and look in to more then just a car but also a lifestyle.

While you are there, be sure to take a test drive in the latest Smart Fortwo, sip on drink and snack from the smart team, and just soak in the amazing environment and amazing imagery!

Kuni Automotive Group Spreads Smart Car Love

2007-10-17T14:52:00.000-07:00

Kuni Automotive Group sent out a press release dated September 15, 2007 claiming to be the only Smart Dealership in the entire state of Oregon. Also in the article, Kuni Automotive Group claims they will receive 650 of the allotted 16,000 Smart Fortwo's to be produced in 2008. I can't say enough how excited I am that Smart Dealerships are comgin out of the wood-work.

Visit Smart Enthusiast to get all the latest Smart Fortwo News.

Smart Build Smart House in Venice Beach

2007-10-11T19:17:00.001-07:00

As part of the promotions leading up to the US sales launch of the Smart ForTwo next January, the US distributor has converted a Venice Beach CA building into a Smart House. The interior of the Smart house is designed to evoke the lifestyles of the the primary purchasers of the Smart: young urban hipsters, whatever the hell that means. The main goal of the house is of course to sell cars and so visitors will be able to check out four of them on the inside with more outside available for test drives.