This baby is hot off the press. Our video coverage of the Smart Car tour shot here in Austin. It was the FINAL day for the event and if you couldn’t make it to the show in a nearby city, this is about as good as it gets until your dealer gets them in in a few months.
Sit back, relax and enjoy this 10 minute test ride. The quality is… um, ok. I’m working to post a bigger, better version tomorrow.
1. November 2007 at 11:57 am
Looks great! I signed up for one last year, can’t wait to see it.
1. November 2007 at 1:53 pm
Steve, You are a tall guy right? Was it comfy for a 6 ft 2 inch 200 lbs guy?
1. November 2007 at 2:46 pm
Yeah Brouha! NYC is definitely the place to own one. I didn’t include it in the video, but we had a discussion about the NYC tour. They parked 3 SMARTs in 1 metered spot. The cops came, because of the crowd that gathered. Someone in the crowd asked the officer if they could do that… put 3 cars in 1 metered spot, and he said, “If there is money in the meter and you’re not blocking traffic (by backing straight into the spot) then it’s fine”.
As for comfort, David. It was surprisingly comfortable. You may have noticed a guy even bigger than myself getting out of the car at the very end. To me, it sorta felt like riding in the front half of a small SUV (like a RAV4). You don’t have to squat to get in or pour yourself out when exiting. You can see (with my lovely wide lens) how roomy it felt with Steve and I in the car. Didn’t feel like we were sitting in each others laps or anything.
The only thing I didn’t get to test out that I REALLY wanted to, was the upgraded stereo package. It comes built into the Cabrio version of the SMART though.
1. November 2007 at 10:25 pm
Steve, if you back your Smart car into a parking spot like that in Austin today, would you get ticketed?–Lawrence
2. November 2007 at 4:41 pm
Hey Lawrence!
Chances are that as long as you’re not blocking traffic, you should be fine. I know it will take a while for the police to get used to the sight of a car backed into a place normally reserved for parallel parked cars. I personally can’t wait to get a couple of cars pulled into a single metered spot. “Gettin’ over on the man, one quarter at a time.” haha :D
2. November 2007 at 5:38 pm
why aren’t you doing this for a living?
seems like you love it.
great job btw!
2. November 2007 at 5:57 pm
Nice presentation! That little car is going to turn the interstates into daily slot car races ;)
3. November 2007 at 11:00 pm
Steve, I’m thinking about getting one of these (ForTwo Passion), but Consumer Reports disses it saying it’s twice as slow as other small cars and clumsy handling. They also say “The ride is harsh and fidgety, with pronounced stiff, rubbery impacts.” That was in a Dec 2006 article. It’s Nov 2007. Is it better now? Also, is it really a diesel engine?
Thanks
AnnMarie
6. November 2007 at 5:41 am
Hey, Steve
When do you start working for Smart Car? Can I get a little discount on one of these babies?
–Lawrence
**OK now, I too wanna know your answers for annmarie’s more serious questions…
6. November 2007 at 3:20 pm
Hi Lawrence! I’ll keep you posted on the job front. As for Annmarie’s questions:
That was in a Dec 2006 article. It’s Nov 2007. Is it better now?
I would have to say “yes”. The 2007 SMART is not the same car as previous versions. Definitely NOT “twice as slow as other small cars.” This version of the SMART is driven by the most powerful production engine ever available for the SMART. If a Brabus version ever comes to the USA, then it’ll be more like 100 HP, instead of 71… not to say 71 is insufficient. As for handling… Truthfully, I haven’t been behind the wheel long enough to judge it myself… but I ride a SCOOTER for gosh sakes. If anyone knows about a ride that’s “harsh and fidgety, with pronounced stiff, rubbery impacts”, it’s ME! If I were to get one, I wouldn’t really expect it to ride like a Cadillac, but more like a Mini Cooper… somewhat harsh and fidgety. Luckily, I have no plans on taking one off-roading.
Also, is it really a diesel engine?
No. Not for the USA. The Diesel smart is very popular but only available everywhere else SMART is sold. It’s strictly petrol for us.
PS> Good question tshay. Maybe I need to consider a career change.
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19. January 2008 at 7:48 pm
These are awesome. I’m wondering if you can tow with them. The obvious answer would be “no” with the limited HP, but I have one of these babies…
http://www.golittleguy.com/cms/
with a 660 lb towing weight. I’m guessing the smart car could do it, but can you put a hitch on it?
Man, the looks I would get with both of these!
30. March 2008 at 7:42 pm
Smart Car nine question survey http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=aRHFAOsD1Jlch8VXVQj0dw_3d_3d
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