2008 smart fortwo First Impressions

[mingoglia]

In fairness to the H1 in the video the H1 has about the smallest amount of room of most SUV's. The drivetrain is tucked so far up in the chassis (for off road reasons) that it severely encroaches in the interior. In fact I'd say the old Pontiaco Fiero's probably had more passenger room than an H1.

Mike

[TonyPSchaefer]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jhinton @ Nov 22 2007, 08:41 PM) [snapback]543062[/snapback]</div>

Damiler AG will not bring the A Class to the US. The A Class will be discontinued after this generation. The next generation B-Class may come the the US if Damiler can find a company to share the platform. If they can't find another company willing to split the development cost, the B-Class my be discontinued as well. (Current rumors have BMW and Mercedes teaming up to share a B-Car Platform. That would mean the next Mini and B-Class will share a common platform.)[/b]

Thanks for the info.

I was in Europe last month and saw a few MB A-series and thought they were really cute. Of course, I also saw a few Smarts, of course. This is not to discount all the other small (rightsized) vehicles. My wife really wants to test drive a Smart. Personally, if I could choose, it would be close between an A-series and a Smart. Though I have to admit that to see her in a Smart convertible would be really cute in itself.

[Tideland Prius]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TonyPSchaefer @ Nov 23 2007, 03:03 PM) [snapback]543385[/snapback]</div>

Thanks for the info.

I was in Europe last month and saw a few MB A-series and thought they were really cute. Of course, I also saw a few Smarts, of course. This is not to discount all the other small (rightsized) vehicles. My wife really wants to test drive a Smart. Personally, if I could choose, it would be close between an A-series and a Smart. Though I have to admit that to see her in a Smart convertible would be really cute in itself.
[/b]

The concept of the smart is ingenious, seriously. The only thing holding me back is the very jerky transmission. Now I heard it's fixed for this new generation.

I swear a teenager learning how to drive a manual shifts better than the first gen smart's transmission.

[hyo silver]

Hey, did anyone happen to look at any other Smart Car videos on YouTube? Like the one with a 1300cc Hayabusa motorcycle engine that outdrags a Ferrari? Apparently there's a 500hp twin turbo version of the bike, too. Hmmm. Zoom zoom boom.