America likely won't be getting a Smart diesel soon
A lot of Americans who were anxiously awaiting the arrival of the Smart ForTwo on our shores have been disappointed by the mileage figures that reach only into the upper thirties. Over in Europe, Smart offers the ForTwo with automatic start-stop systems and in a diesel configuration that is the most efficient internal combustion car currently available. The Smart ForTwo CDi is rated at 71mpg (U.S.) but American drivers won't be getting a crack at it anytime soon. Unfortunately, that diesel isn't Tier 2 Bin 5 compliant meaning Smart wouldn't be able to offer it in some of their biggest potential markets like California and New York. According to SmartUSA president Dave Schembri, the diesel Smart also wouldn't provide the performance Americans would expect. I haven't yet driven the new second-generation Smart diesel. However, the first-generation model that passed through the ABG garage last summer certainly had leisurely acceleration. Nonetheless for a car that is primarily an urban runabout, it's probably perfectly adequate. Perhaps if diesel popularity picks up in the next couple of years and Smart's popularity is sustainable the company will reconsider.
[Source: MLive]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
mike 11:55AM (4/20/2008)
Even You Smart?
Did "Big Oil" get to Even You?
How about YOU LET ME make the decision about what acceleration level is "Acceptable" to me. You post 71 mpg US and 0-60 in 15 seconds prominently in the option list for the engine and let ME DECIDE.
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Smog 12:35PM (4/20/2008)
the Chevette made 0-60 in 21 seconds and still they sold a lot of them. as Suzuki was selling the 4x4 Samurai going 40mpg with 65hp.
let me choose what I want.
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dhofmann 12:58PM (4/20/2008)
If we would just lower our speed limits to match those in Europe, then we wouldn't need as much acceleration as we do now. Then we might get more fuel misers like this.
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Mark 1:45PM (4/20/2008)
Big oil pressure wins again, eh Smart?
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BassClef 1:54PM (4/20/2008)
Yall talk as if Smart can just wave a wand and deliver a T2B5 diesel motor. The fact is our emissions limits are far too strict to be met cheaply. A T2B5 Smart would likely be $20,000 and have fuel mileage in the low 60s due to the exhaust system. If the EPA and Federal Government would work together with the EU about setting emissions limits then any vehicle sold in Europe could be brought here, but that takes forward thinking and real concern for the people; things our government has lacked for decades.
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Chris 2:17PM (4/20/2008)
Stop obsessing about the Smart already! Here in Europe this car is something of a flop. It's terrible to drive (poor transmission system) and it's not that economical if you consider how useless a car is that will only take 2 persons and no luggage to speak off on a bumpy ride!
If you think the planet needs saving recycle your SUV and buy a nice mid sized stationwagon that'll do 35 mpg instead .
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Cervus 1:58PM (4/20/2008)
For those of you who didn't read the article...
It's the Tier 2 bin 5 emissions regulations keeping pretty much every efficient European diesel out of the United States. Not some Big Oil Conspiracy.
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Jim 2:37PM (4/20/2008)
Looks great !!
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Sam Abuelsamid 4:56PM (4/20/2008)
US speed limits are already equal or lower than most of Europe. In Germany, limits vary from 60mph to unlimited. In most other countries it's 120-130km/h (about 75-80mph)
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Snowdog 6:36PM (4/20/2008)
@mike:
0-60 with the diesel is closer to 20 seconds or more:
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/past-road-test/budget-cars-12-06/smart-fortwo/1206_car_smart_fortwo.htm
"The ForTwo took 23 seconds to accelerate from 0-60 mph, almost twice the time of other small cars. (In fact, we almost ran out of track trying to get it up to 60 mph.)"
There is slow and there is "being passed by grannies with a walker" slow. Not to mention the awful transmission to further wreck the "driving experience".
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Kevin Nugent 9:56PM (4/20/2008)
I also agree. how about you let me decide what the hell i want . i absolutely hate that , manufacturers are gonna tell me that i wont like something . First off you never even gave me a test drive or product that resembles anything like that so that i can make a strategic analysis on whether i truly want the product or not. They are just lazy and don't want to produce more clean vehicles , Europe you can basically have a forest fire exhaust coming out and they wont say anything and just for being lazy bastard they can go to hell.i wud like to add that its not about obsessing over the smart , its the fact that their is a new product and individuals such as myself would like to try it , yet assholes like smart ceo's keep on telling us what WE like and not going to like. Its like saying "I don't like apple pie , i think it taste nasty" Yet you have never tasted it . Your being a selfish stupid prick
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Mr Brody 8:21PM (4/20/2008)
I am not impressed with the Smart. My insight gets 72 mpg on they hyway in good conditions and I put regular gas in it, not PRICEY smoky diesel. Plus the insight goes 0-60 mph in 10 to 11 seconds and I can put a lot of stuff including a bike in the hatch.
That is what is wrong with diesel is that its fuel is expensive to be clean and it will always be smoky and dirty compared to gas. I dont like gas either, through out diesel and go PHEV or BEV.
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dhofmann 9:26PM (4/20/2008)
Sam, the in-town speed limit in England is 30 mph, whereas here in the USA it's often 45mph or more. In fact, the road that connects my neighborhood with the rest of the city has a speed limit of 55. Because of that, I would be embarrassed to drive something with a 20 second 0-60 around here.
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Rojo 11:26PM (4/20/2008)
My god, you people are amazing!
Smart is already flopping in Europe and some of you seem to think you're ENTITLED to a vehicle that cannot even meet US emissions requirements? Why should they spend exorbitant amounts of money to appease what would only be another failing market? These are BUSINESSES, not charities.
dhofmann: Why should you be embarrassed by a 20 second 0-60 time if you knew you were doing your part in killing the planet a little less quickly than the rest of us? Oh right, for it to be 'okay,' the rest of us have to suffer right there along side you during what would become a 4-hour-long 'rush-hour.' Fantstic.
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Throwback 8:26AM (4/21/2008)
I don't blame Smart for not sending the diesel over. They need to see if they can sell the current car after year one. They should make a business decision as to whether or not to sell a car in this country. Bringing a car over so some people can "try" the car is just dumb. They need to make a business case for the diesel first, then build a compliant diesel. I think Smart USA (Penske) have done a brilliant job marketing what is in fact a rather poor driving vehicle. I hope Smart does succeed as someone who likes small cars I would love to see more of them offered here. However, I realize most consumers are not like me. They will generally buy the biggest car they can afford.
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Whopper 10:16AM (4/21/2008)
"I also agree. how about you let me decide what the hell i want . i absolutely hate that , manufacturers are gonna tell me that i wont like something ."
Kevin, you and mike may be offended because the manufacturers aren't making what you like, but that is because you are in the minority. When manufacturers see the demand they will build to meet it. Regardless how Toyota increases Prius production, the demand is still around 1% of the market - it just isn't a large enough market yet to justify the expense. Now if you and mike want to pony up $250K each someone will build you a Smart with whatever engine you want.
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dhofmann 12:15PM (4/21/2008)
It would also be dangerous here in the USA, with our relatively high speed limits, to drive a small car which has the acceleration of a tractor-trailer but not the visibility of one. These things would probably get rear-ended all the time.
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mike 10:08PM (4/21/2008)
Whopper, it isn't just the SMART. It's ALL CARS every YEAR get a Horsepower bump, we've seen year after year where there has been NO Efficiency Increase, just HP increases.
On the East Coast, Horsepower is a JOKE. You can't go 50 yards with out some joke jumping into the road in front of you. No matter how much horsepower you buy, you can't USE more then 50.
Am I to believe the Auto Industry Doesn't Know this?
No, Just like Microsoft/Dell, Hidden KICKBACKS look like the answer. Or, you could call them "Sales Incentives".
I.E. GM will sell the Volt but, it will also sell the 400 hp Camaro, which will easily "offset" 10 Volts. And the Volt won't be cheap at $35,000. So, they won't sell many. Which won't hurt their "Sales Incentive" Compensation.
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Jesse Thoresen 8:21AM (4/22/2008)
The diesel is the only Smart that makes any sense. The economy gap between the diesel and the gassers is so large that if diesel was $6.00 a gallon it still would make sense to go with the diesel. Look at how small this car is, 40mpg is a joke.
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Simon 2:12AM (6/11/2009)
I get 40mpg in my Smart regularly, and I live up a hill. If I drive it around town and to and from my house a lot, it's about 35. But get it on the freeway, and it equates to 40-42mpg. Not too bad. Parking in a city is a breeze! I'd prefer the diesel though.
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