WSJ asks Manhattanites: "What about this Smart fortwo?"
As we've been reporting, the Smart fortwo is on an American tour this summer, and Wall Street Journal writer Matt Vella recently had a chance to test one out in what might be the smart's ideal environment: New York City. The intro he gives in his WSJ piece won't be news to anyone who reads ABG regularly, so here's a snippet from Vella's personal experiences with the (I'm sure the Journal would approve if you went and read the whole thing on their site): On a recent drive through Manhattan, however, the Smart proved sure-footed and zippy navigating the congested traffic around Wall Street. The car's 1-liter, 3-cylinder engine does a decent job of hustling the 1,653-pound car along and its rear-wheel-drive placement gives the car a sportier feel than most small economy cars.
The interior space and layout doesn't feel cramped or claustrophobic. A six-foot tall passenger had no problem getting in and out, or getting comfortable inside. Because the seats are set fairly high, occupants are at eye level with most other drivers in larger sedans.
Vella also asked random people who encountered the fortwo what they thought of the car. You can watch a video of their responses after the jump.
[Source: Wall Street Journal]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Dave 12:02PM (8/19/2007)
Unless NYC starts offering discounted parking spaces for subcompacts, there is no serious financial incentive to owning a Smartcar over a Ford Focus (for example).
And there are no narrow streets in NYC that favor the Smart - minimally experienced drivers routinely pilot Crown Vics anywhere in the city.
The woman in the video is right - this isnt a highway car. And I don't believe its a city car either.
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mike 12:03PM (8/19/2007)
Just waiting for the diesel, or the hybrid, which ever gets the Best mpg.
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rgseidl 1:57PM (8/19/2007)
You're not going to see the diesel version in the US. The usual problem, very expensive tech needed to meet emissions.
The gasoline variant is actually not all that fuel efficient, though the upcoming microhybrid should help. The real selling points of the car are its quirky style and short length, which makes it easy to find a parking spot in crowded cities. However, not many North American cities present parking problems as serious as those in say, Paris or Rome. This is a big reason why they will be sold in selected markets only.
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Lucien Takar 1:23AM (8/20/2007)
@ Dave
I don't think the car will have any problems on the highways.
"The top speed of the smart fortwo is approximately 90 mph"
And the lady thinking the car isn't safe just has a misconception that bigger means safer and smaller isn't safe.
"The safety management system for the smart fortwo is comprehensive and sophisticated.
The highlight of the safety management system is the tridion safety cell. The safety cell is made from three layers of steel that are reinforced at strategic points. The cell is designed to keep occupants protected. The reinforced steel and the design of the car allow for the absorption of impact and redistribution of crash energy. Because of the size of the vehicle, most crashes will also involve one of the wheel bases which also absorbs energy.
Both doors are also reinforced with steel bars.
The smart fortwo, which will be for sale in the United States in 2008, will come standard with four airbags (two front and two side for head and thorax protection). Other safety features such as esp® (electronic stability program) and ABS brakes are also standard."
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mike 8:51AM (8/20/2007)
The Gas engine will get 40+ mpg.
VW is going to introduce a small diesel, and at a price of $14000,
seems to me there's some room for a 50+mpg diesel.
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