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Autos Q & A: Profile of the Smart Car: What is It?

  • Profile of the Smart Car: What is It?
  • In just about every industry in the world, engineers and marketers and CEOs are looking for new ways to make modern conveniences smaller. From microchips to cell phones the size of playing cards, we want tiny, convenient possessions that make life easier. The smart car is no exception. Even its name-which is intentionally written in all-lowercase letters, seems to be downsized.

    Although the smart car has been available in other countries for several years, having originated in Germany in 1994, smart USA has announced that 2008 will bring it to American shores in its full capacity. Essentially, the smart car is a miniature vehicle that is intended to save space in garages, at parking meters, and where parallel parking is necessary.

    In fact, the smart car is only 2.5 meters long, which is the standard width of a parking space. With its unique design, several cars would be able to park side-by-side in these spaces, creating more room and facilitating heavier traffic. Furthermore, it allows for "zippy" driving in and out of traffic, and in zany metallic colors to boot. Like most tiny inventions, this car has taken the world by storm as something of a status symbol.

    The version that will be released in the U.S. is the 2008 fortwo, which seats two individuals within a "tridion safety cell". Because of its small size, the brand has received plenty of criticism related to the safety of driving it. After all, there is very little crash zone in the front because the driver and passenger are riding so far forward. However, smart insists that the safety cell provides ample protection for those who choose to purchase it.

    The 1.0 L, 3 cylinder engine seems tiny with only 71 horsepower, but according to smartusa.com, the smart car will be more than adequate to meet U.S. standards. It comes equipped with a tire pressure control system, a panic button, a tire repair kit, anti-lock brakes and an automatic drive locking system. Storage isn't exactly adequate for your next family vacation, but the glove compartment can be locked for added security.

    One of the most impressive features of the smart car is its interchangeable exterior body parts, which come in a wide variety of colors and can be custom-designed for individual consumers' needs. The two-color concept of the smart fortwo is similar to those of previous incarnations, and the interior upholstery also comes in a wide range of colors. The upright design makes the two-tone paint job even more pronounced, and some even describe it as "cute".

    The smart fortwo pure is the standard model of the new smart car, and starts at $11,500 MSRP. The passion coupe is the next level above the pure, and has a larger array of standard features, including a panorama roof with a sun screen, a smart radio and heated side mirrors. And finally, you have the smart fortwo passion cabriolet, which has a soft roof and a heated rear window that can be electronically controlled. The passion coupe starts at $13,590 and the cabriolet starts at $16,590.

    The smart fortwo is 8.8 feet long, 5.1 feet tall and 5.1 feet wide, which makes it the smallest passenger vehicle sold in the U.S. as of 2008. Extremely tall people might have trouble, as it is designed to accommodate passengers under six-foot-five, but the width can accommodate plenty of shoulder room.

    The smart car is electronically limited to a maximum speed of 90 mph, and gets 32 mpg in the city, and 41 mpg on the highway. It has a total of eight cubic feet of storage room, which is surprising considering its size.
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