Where can I find review for more information on smartcars?
Check out our smart car blog.
What is a smartcar?
To date, over 900,000 smart vehicles have been sold in 36 other countries throughout the world. In January 2008, the United States became the 37th country to sell the smart car.
When did the smart car go on sale in the United States?
The smart car became available for purchase in the United States in January 2008.
What smart models are available for purchase in the United States?
The models available in the United States are the smart fortwo pure coupe (entry-level), the smart fortwo passion coupe (well-equipped) and the smart fortwo passion cabriolet (well-equipped convertible).
Will any other engines or smart models be available in 2008?
The smart fortwo is the only model scheduled for production for the USA in 2008. The pure coupe, passion coupe and passion cabriolet all come equipped with the 3-cylinder, 1-liter gasoline powered engine. Other engine types and sizes (including BRABUS) may become available in the next few years though no specific timeline has been outlined. The manufacturer has cancelled production of the smart forfour and roadster worldwide.
Where will smart cars be sold?
smart cars will have a dealership network of over 70 smart centers across the United States.
How much does a smart vehicle cost?
The smart fortwo pure coupe starts at $11,590*, the smart fortwo passion coupe starts at $13,590* and the smart fortwo passion cabriolet starts at $16,590*.
* For 2008 models. Excludes tax, title, registration, destination charge, options and other dealer fees.
Can I order a smartcar?
A $99 Reservation Program is open to all smartcar enthusiasts.
What are the exact dimensions?
The smart car that is available in the United States is:
- 8.8 feet long (you can usually fit two smart fortwos in an average parking space!)
- 5.1 feet tall (the smart still has as much headroom as most luxury vehicles!)
- 5.1 feet wide (two six foot, five inch plus people can sit side by side with plenty of shoulder room to spare!)
How fast does the smart car go?
The top speed of the smart car is 90 mph (Electronically limited).
What is the gas mileage of smart?
Engineering and testing continues to take place on the vehicle that will be produced for the United States. The vehicle is designed to achieve 40 city/45 highway mpg according to 2007 EPA standards and 33 city/41 highway mpg according to 2008 EPA standards. The mpg rating for all vehicles will decrease in 2008 due to new calculation methods that the EPA has adopted. These methods involve measuring mpg while taking into account real life driving conditions such as start/stop city traffic, air conditioning, heating, etc. The gas tank of the smart fortwo is 8.7 gallons.
*Fuel economy estimates were derived in accordance with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) vehicle testing procedures for model year 2008 as specified in 40 C.F.R. pts. 86 and 600 (2007). These estimates are intended for comparison between other vehicles within the same class. Individual drivers’ actual mileage will vary depending on how they drive and maintain their vehicles.
Is the smart vehicle safe?
The 2008 smart car achieved the highest ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for front and side crashworthiness.
The highlight of the safety management system is the tridion safety cell. The safety cell is made from steel, half of which is high-strength material, especially in highly stressed areas. The cell is designed to keep occupants protected. The reinforced steel and the design of the car, including the wheel bases, allow the distribution of the crash energy.
The smart car comes standard with four airbags (two full-sized front and two side for head and thorax protection). Other safety features such as Electronic Stability Program ESP®, Brake Assist and and anti-lock brakes are also standard.
Is the smart safe for children?
The smart car features highly efficient restraint systems that meet Mercedes-Benz’s passive safety standards. Infant or children restraint systems (booster, infant or child seat) can be affixed properly to the passenger seat by means of the safety belt. A ratchet mechanism locates the tightly pulled safety belt and holds the infant/child restraint system in position. Please note that laws relating to the use and installation of infant or children restraint systems vary by jurisdiction. You will need to review the laws applicable to you prior to installing and using infant or children restraint systems in your smart fortwo.
An electronically controlled system will detect the weight of the occupant on the passenger seat or the installation of a child restraint system. The Electronic Control Unit (ECU) determines the appropriate mode of the dual stage full size front airbag deployment. For very young passengers for whom an airbag deployment could mean a serious risk, the front and side airbags will be deactivated. A control lamp in the center of the roof panel will show this clearly. Always check the control lamp to make sure the airbags are deactivated for very young passengers.
How does the smart car perform in the snow?
The smart car standard active safety systems - Electronic Stability Program, traction control, cornering brake control, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake distribution and brake assist - help drivers stay in control on snowy and icy terrains.
The majority of the smartcar’s weight (engine and transaxle) is over the driven wheels resulting in better traction overall. Wider rear wheels and tires allow for better grip and traction in marginal weather conditions. Narrower front wheels and tires allow for less traction loss by penetrating into snow and ice deeper for improved steering control. All smart vehicles come standard with all season tires.
In addition, all vehicles have heated front and rear windows, and the passion models come standard with heated and electric exterior mirrors. All models also have heated seats available as an option.
Regarding rust, the smart car’s steel body is fully zinc plated. As a further provision against corrosion, there is a coat of cataphoretic paint under the main powder-coat paint, and all body cavities are preserved by a special agent. Finally, the body panels and complete underbody are made of plastic (polypropylene), which are not prone to rust even if scratched.
Can I tow my smart car?
The smart car is designed to be flat towed with all four wheels on the ground. Your smart car can assist you with the procedures to allow for flat towing. In addition, the car can be carried on a flat bed.
How much space does smart have for storage?
The smart car has a rear storage area that can accommodate active lifestyles. Surprisingly, the fortwo has 8 cubic feet of storage space – 12 feet if you load up to the roof line. This area can easily fit numerous bags of groceries, gym bags and other items that are commonly transported every day, including golf clubs! The rear storage area can also accommodate many sizes of luggage making trips to the airport convenient.
The front passenger seat also folds down creating additional space for other items such as skis.
How can I find out more about smartcars?
The best source of information about smart in the United States is our website – lowergascosts.net. The site changes frequently and as information becomes available about dealerships, ordering, USA model selection and other information it will be posted on the website.
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