Thursday July 24th, 2008
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The Smart Car is coming
Posted by Ecobabe on July 15, 2007 - 11:09pm.
My new (at the time) husband and I saw the Smart car when we were on our European Honeymoon in 2005, he feel in love with it, I thought it was silly looking. Since then I have learned that they really are "smart."Mercedes-Benz sought out the idea of a subcompact car in 1993 and soon paired up with Swatch Group Ltd. to produce the Smart car. They are made at Smartville a really cool manufacturing factory that is ecologically free of harmful substances, uses painting techniques that reduce harmful chemicals, has its own biological waste treatment facility, and a heat recovery system on the premises.
As far as the car goes, it's a two-seater, has a 3-cylinder suprex turbo rear-mounted engine (whatever that means), and a 6-speed transmission. The best I could calculate is that it gets about 80 miles to the gallon.
It will be available in the US starting March of 2008 for approximately $12,000. Reservations are being taken now at http://www.smartusa.com/ for a $99 fee. Will you be the first on your block to own one?
My husband is 6 foot 6 and I am 6 foot but I would entertain buying one of these Smart Cars if it meant helping the environment and reducing our carbon footprint. Even if it is for around town, every little bit helps, right?
The thing is, why buy a car if you can put your family in it. I have children and I don't know how practical it will be for two boys with a lot of sports equipment. I think the Smartcar is great for the right person and the right circumstances. Another choice we have.
Smart cars aren't designed for families - they're designed for single people or couples who live downtown, use their car for short journies only and want to avoid car tax, congestion charges and high parking fees (there are special, cheap smart car parking lots in some cities in the UK).
I have seen quite a few on motorways here in the UK though, so they can reach a good speed - but I don't know how they'd cope with the much larger distances people cover in the US; they're designed just for city use really.
If you think the smart car is cool though just wait until you see the first Spart sportsers on the road - these are two seaters too but have a much sportier design and look fantastic IMO.
I also saw my first G-Whiz on a trip to London yesterday - these are so small you could probably fit one in the back of an average US pick-up truck! Do you have these in US cities? I read they were designed in California.
I too saw the smart car recently and I cannot believe you fit all that in there. My husband is 6'5 and I think he would feel uncomfortable. Where do you put all the groceries? The car I saw had a very tiny space behind the seats. I know the car comes in a convertable if I'm not mistaken. Do you know if there is more room in the various types? Love to hear you like your car. Do you mind me asking how much they cost?