smart car coming to our market

[George2615]

Yes, 60-70 MPG would be great but I prefer to be alive when that unsuspecting SUV runs a stop light or sign and slams into one of those tiny cars. I just like vehicles that have a full frame under them. Unfortunately they don't get 60-70 MPG.

 

[Tig]

They are becoming quite popular around here over the past few years. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_(automobile) They are more in the price range that Egon mentioned and even that may be a bit high for base models. Turbo diesel is the engine offered in Canada. Don't assume that they are less safe than the average vehicle. They are well engineered.
"If all else fails, you've got seat belts with pre-tensioners and force limiters, dual air bags, and the Magna-built "Tridion" safety cell, including the basket-handle roll cage structure. There is almost no crush space up front - that's what most cars use to absorb the impact of a frontal crash. In the Smart, the energy is transmitted right into the centre structure of the car, and through the unique seats and back into the engine compartment.
I don't know how it does it, but in European crash tests, Smart actually outscores much larger cars in the sub-compact field." http://www.mcuniverse.com/The_Smart_Car_Comes_to_Canada.1325.0.html

Smart safety is explained here. » Design and Safety

 

[AndyM]

The VW Lupo gets 80mpg in Europe only.

The 1998-2005 Lupo was replaced with the new generation 2006 Fox pictured in my post above.

I'd love to be able to purchase either one in this country...
Honda and Toyota sell cars that small here (Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris), so why can VW?
For that matter, why can't Ford or GM?

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

there's a dealer here in MD that sells them now...they are $30k

$US 30K - You've got to be kidding? Haven't paid that much attention to them, but one nicely very appointed can be had for + or - $CDN 20K. IMO except for getting the "Three Star" emblem there are lots of other inexpensive 4 seater options that get almost as good or better mileage, without paying a premium for diesel.

 

[Tig]

I think the $30K Smart car in the US may have a hybrid engine.

 

[Egon]

Tig:

The price I mentioned was for top end.

I do believe there is a four seat version?

 

[CRJCaptain]

We saw these cars everywhere in Europe this past summer...they seemed ideal in the narrow streets of London and Rome, especially with regards to fitting into the limited parking spots available.

The attached image is from London...

 

[IH3444]

The "Smart" car looks small next to a small kid, wonder what it looks like with a standard adult standing next to it.

 

[redlevel]

Don't assume that they are less safe than the average vehicle. They are well engineered.
"If all else fails, you've got seat belts with pre-tensioners and force limiters, dual air bags, and the Magna-built "Tridion" safety cell, including the basket-handle roll cage structure. There is almost no crush space up front - that's what most cars use to absorb the impact of a frontal crash. In the Smart, the energy is transmitted right into the centre structure of the car, and through the unique seats and back into the engine compartment.
I don't know how it does it, but in European crash tests, Smart actually outscores much larger cars in the sub-compact field." http://www.mcuniverse.com/The_Smart_Car_Comes_to_Canada.1325.0.html

Smart safety is explained here. » Design and Safety

I don't care how "smart" it is, how well engineered, or how many "Tridion" safety cells it has, I would bet next month's rent that if my 2500HD with two tons of fertilizer in the bed and that box collided head-on at a combined speed of say 75mph, the occupants of it are dead, and the folks in my truck are looking around for the remains.

I didn't check out your link. I'd rather not be confused with facts.

 

[Egon]

Then we should consider the loaded tractor trailer unit and the 2500 hitting head on.