Hardbopjazz Posted November 14, 2007 Report Share Posted November 14, 2007 How safe can something this small be while driving? If you get hot by one large SUV, you might as well be buried in it. I've seen them while in Europe this past summer and wonder are they very popular in Europe? Brandnew two-seated cars 'Smart' made by Mercedes and Swatch are parked in the car factory of Sarreguemines, region of Lothringen, France. They might measure a mere 2.5 meters (eight feet) in length and only be capable of carrying two passengers, but tiny Smart cars are aiming to make it big in the United States, where hulking gas-guzzlers have long been the kings of the road.(AFP/File/Werner Baum ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dprfish Posted November 14, 2007 Report Share Posted November 14, 2007 Here in Toronto, I see at least 10-15 of these every day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardbopjazz Posted November 14, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 14, 2007 I wonder what the gas mileage is for these? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aggie87 Posted November 14, 2007 Report Share Posted November 14, 2007 I saw them all over the city every day when I lived in Stuttgart. They are good commuter cars in that type of environment. As far as mileage goes: The Smart ForTwo's big selling point is going to be fuel economy. For the current version, the company estimates a combined city/highway fuel mileage of about 40 miles per gallon, according to DaimlerChrysler. (The 60 mpg figure sometimes reported is for the diesel-engine version.) These aren't hybrids, either. I wouldn't feel comfortable at all travelling on interstates in something like this, but for city driving (without the need to haul things, other than yourself), they make some sense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T.D. Posted November 14, 2007 Report Share Posted November 14, 2007 Do these cars meet USA safety standards? If so, they might sell in some quantity to city dwellers. Tough to imagine them catching on in a big way, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brownie Posted November 14, 2007 Report Share Posted November 14, 2007 The Smarts are pretty visible on the streets of Paris. Rather convenient small cars. However they rarely show up on roads. Not sure they are very good value for the money... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidewinder Posted November 14, 2007 Report Share Posted November 14, 2007 I've seen one or two of these in the car park at work. Wouldn't be seen dead in one ! :rsmile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rostasi Posted November 14, 2007 Report Share Posted November 14, 2007 I've seen people "parallel park" them with the rear of the car to the curb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel A Posted November 14, 2007 Report Share Posted November 14, 2007 In the Euro NCAP crash tests the Smart Car outperformed several other vehicels in the supermini category, for example Chevrolet Kalos and Matiz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alocispepraluger102 Posted November 14, 2007 Report Share Posted November 14, 2007 they are certainly more sensible than 'ego' cars. i am under the false impression that vehicles are for utility? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rooster_Ties Posted November 15, 2007 Report Share Posted November 15, 2007 When the all-electric version of the Smart car comes out, I will be incredibly tempted. I think I've read it'll be out in the U.S. by 2009 or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aggie87 Posted November 15, 2007 Report Share Posted November 15, 2007 (edited) they are certainly more sensible than 'ego' cars. i am under the false impression that vehicles are for utility? They're only sensible for a very specific niche or sub-market, IMO. And I don't think they could be considered a utility vehicle in any way. There is no ability to transport anything in there, unless it can fit on the passenger seat while you drive. edit - maybe I don't understand your question. Is it for Smart cars, or vehicles in general? Edited November 15, 2007 by Aggie87 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Alfredson Posted November 15, 2007 Report Share Posted November 15, 2007 I saw one recently, but I don't recall where I was. I want to say Pentwater (on the west side of Michigan). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BruceH Posted November 15, 2007 Report Share Posted November 15, 2007 I would love to try out one of those babies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
couw Posted November 15, 2007 Report Share Posted November 15, 2007 (edited) just because this thread is about a car and your avatar shows some more and because I was wondering why it took so long for the thread to load: isn't 3.8MB a bit much for an avatar? Edited November 15, 2007 by couw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockefeller center Posted November 15, 2007 Report Share Posted November 15, 2007 just because this thread is about a car and your avatar shows some more and because I was wondering why it took so long for the thread to load: isn't 3.8MB a bit much for an avatar? http://www.organissimo.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=2256 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claude Posted November 15, 2007 Report Share Posted November 15, 2007 (edited) How safe can something this small be while driving? If you get hot by one large SUV, you might as well be buried in it. Safer than a chinese SUV Chinese 4x4 gets zero in safety test Edited November 15, 2007 by Claude Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rooster_Ties Posted November 15, 2007 Report Share Posted November 15, 2007 (edited) just because this thread is about a car and your avatar shows some more and because I was wondering why it took so long for the thread to load: isn't 3.8MB a bit much for an avatar? Geez, I had no idea it was 3.8MB!!! (I didn't know the board would allow you to link to anything that big.) Edit: It be changed!!! Edited November 15, 2007 by Rooster_Ties Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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