2008 smart fortwo First Impressions

**Tideland Prius** · 11-18-2007, 02:14 AM

Bigger, quicker

After a long waiting period, the highly anticipated next-generation smart fortwo will arrive in showrooms at the end of the month. Order sheets are already full and its general acceptance among consumers keeps spreading. Why? Simply because the fortwo is an excellent urban car. For 2008, the all-new model will satisfy city dwellers and shoppers, everyday commuters, out-of-towners and even country drivers who just need a little runabout. This German import can serve as your first, second or even third car. Subtly brilliant and efficient, it's actually the only "smart" two-seater on the market (pun intended).

Full Article

JSH · 11-21-2007, 01:56 PM

Thanks for the link!

I'm a bit disappointed by the mileage. The official numbers quoted in the article are: 40/44/49 mpg. I was hoping for more like 50 mpg combined. As you can see the official quoted combined mileage is less than I get with my TDI wagon.

I guess I'll have to see what else is available in 1-2 years when I'm ready to replace my TDI. I'm quite interested in the Honda CR-Z concept. Of course I may just have to break down and convert a car to an EV.

**TonyPSchaefer** · 11-21-2007, 02:17 PM

The only questions I have are

- Where's my local Smart dealer?
- Where can I and my wife test drive one?
- When will they be available in Chicagoland?

Follow-up question: When will Mercedes bring the A-series to the U.S?

**Tideland Prius** · 11-21-2007, 04:14 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jhinton @ Nov 21 2007, 10:56 AM) [snapback]542532[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Thanks for the link!

I'm a bit disappointed by the mileage. The official numbers quoted in the article are: 40/44/49 mpg. I was hoping for more like 50 mpg combined. As you can see the official quoted combined mileage is less than I get with my TDI wagon.

I guess I'll have to see what else is available in 1-2 years when I'm ready to replace my TDI. I'm quite interested in the Honda CR-Z concept. Of course I may just have to break down and convert a car to an EV.
[/b]

Yeah it's quite a bit less than our current diesel smart fortwo. But then again, I prefer my 5-passenger Prius vs. the 2 passenger smart. We get the same mileage

.

Although I do envy the smart's ability to park ANYWHERE. (I don't mean free parking, I mean being able to squeeze into spaces).

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TonyPSchaefer @ Nov 21 2007, 11:17 AM) [snapback]542547[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

The only questions I have are

- Where's my local Smart dealer?
- Where can I and my wife test drive one?
- When will they be available in Chicagoland?
Follow-up question: When will Mercedes bring the A-series to the U.S?

[/b]

I can't answer the first 3 but the A-Class won't be coming over. If you want, hop over the border and check out our B-Class. Comes in 134hp B200 form or 198hp B200 Turbo form. Starts at under Cdn$30k (or about the same as a base Prius in CAD).

Not bad for a Mercedes. Oh and it's FWD and the automatic transmission is a CVT. That and it crashed on me in the middle of an auto-cross test course when I test drove it but you know.. no biggeie

Btw, you guys will find this amusing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkjZtfgqC2w...feature=related

JSH · 11-22-2007, 09:41 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TonyPSchaefer @ Nov 21 2007, 03:17 PM) [snapback]542547[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

The only questions I have are

- Where's my local Smart dealer?
- Where can I and my wife test drive one?
- When will they be available in Chicagoland?
Follow-up question: When will Mercedes bring the A-series to the U.S?
[/b]

I don't know where your Smart dealer will be but you should have one in Chicago. Smart has not announced which Mercedes dealerships will car Smart's yet.
You can't test drive one until the cars arrive at dealerships. You missed the Smart demo fleet that came to Chicago in June.
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.)

hyo silver · 11-22-2007, 10:42 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ 2007 11 21 13:14) [snapback]542589[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

...Btw, you guys will find this amusing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkjZtfgqC2w...feature=related
[/b]

That was great. Car smart. Hummer dumber.

**Tideland Prius** · 11-22-2007, 11:17 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jhinton @ Nov 22 2007, 06:41 PM) [snapback]543062[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I don't know where your Smart dealer will be but you should have one in Chicago. Smart has not announced which Mercedes dealerships will car Smart's yet.
You can't test drive one until the cars arrive at dealerships. You missed the Smart demo fleet that came to Chicago in June.
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]

Yep. That's what I heard too. It's gonna be a big MINI or a small B-Class lol.

ken1784 · 11-23-2007, 12:27 AM

Do you know how Italians are parking it in Rome?
They are smart enough.

Ken@Japan

[attachmentid=12580]

patsparks · 11-23-2007, 12:39 AM

The video had me in stitches.
Mini isn't very mini anyway. It is in no way like the old Morris Mini.

**Tideland Prius** · 11-23-2007, 01:49 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ken1784 @ Nov 22 2007, 09:27 PM) [snapback]543121[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Do you know how Italians are parking it in Rome?
They are smart enough.

Ken@Japan

[attachmentid=12580]
[/b]

Actually I have a picture from the US where a BMW is sandwiched in by a delivery van. It's on my cellphone and I can't get it off lol.

I'd like to see that owner get his Bimmer out.

11-18-2007, 02:14 AM	#1
Tideland Prius Moderator of the North Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 26,989 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: Technology Package (Canada) Thanks: 1,043 Thanked 1,180 Times in 853 Posts Friends: 32	Bigger, quicker After a long waiting period, the highly anticipated next-generation smart fortwo will arrive in showrooms at the end of the month. Order sheets are already full and its general acceptance among consumers keeps spreading. Why? Simply because the fortwo is an excellent urban car. For 2008, the all-new model will satisfy city dwellers and shoppers, everyday commuters, out-of-towners and even country drivers who just need a little runabout. This German import can serve as your first, second or even third car. Subtly brilliant and efficient, it's actually the only "smart" two-seater on the market (pun intended). Full Article __________________ 2005 Tideland Pearl Premium Package 25/10/04 VVT-i Emblem, Sport Pedals, All-Weather Mats, Cargo Mat, EV Mod, JDM Prius Footwell Lighting, DICE iPod Kit, LED lights 2008 Deep Black smart fortwo passion coupé - sold (6.1L/100km) 2010 Blue Ribbon Metallic Technology Package 29/08/09 OEM All-Weather Mats, Homemade Console Pads, LED lights, 5000K HID, OEM Fogs, Euro Mudguards, OEM Cargo Mat, Heatshield "Ask an Expert" on Facebook I am not employed by Toyota, and the opinions expressed by me as a Prius Expert are not those of Toyota.

11-21-2007, 01:56 PM	#2
JSH Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: The Heart of Dixie Posts: 2,543 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: Package: #4 Thanks: 7 Thanked 109 Times in 73 Posts Friends: 2	Thanks for the link! I'm a bit disappointed by the mileage. The official numbers quoted in the article are: 40/44/49 mpg. I was hoping for more like 50 mpg combined. As you can see the official quoted combined mileage is less than I get with my TDI wagon. I guess I'll have to see what else is available in 1-2 years when I'm ready to replace my TDI. I'm quite interested in the Honda CR-Z concept. Of course I may just have to break down and convert a car to an EV. __________________

11-23-2007, 12:27 AM	#8
ken1784 SuperMID designer Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Yokohama, JAPAN Posts: 2,858 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: G Thanks: 51 Thanked 1,106 Times in 502 Posts Friends: 16	Do you know how Italians are parking it in Rome? They are smart enough. Ken@Japan [attachmentid=12580] Attached Thumbnails

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11-21-2007, 02:17 PM	#3
TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Far-North Chicagoland Posts: 13,920 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 251 Thanked 1,217 Times in 625 Posts Friends: 33	The only questions I have are - Where's my local Smart dealer? - Where can I and my wife test drive one? - When will they be available in Chicagoland? Follow-up question: When will Mercedes bring the A-series to the U.S?

11-23-2007, 12:39 AM	#9
patsparks An Aussie perspective Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Adelaide South Australia Posts: 10,558 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: N/A Package: Base Thanks: 265 Thanked 430 Times in 326 Posts Friends: 36	The video had me in stitches. Mini isn't very mini anyway. It is in no way like the old Morris Mini.