[inkling]

I heard someone talking about this car a couple of days ago, but I don't know much about it. It's ugly and would be an embarrassment to drive -- what are its selling points? High MPG? Anything else?

[Aquinasfan]

It's ugly and would be an embarrassment to drive -- what are its selling points?

I thought that those were selling points in europe. You learn something every day.

[antiRepublicrat]

what are its selling points? High MPG? Anything else?

• Very high mpg with a small, smooth, turbocharged engine, suprisingly decent performance for such high mpg
• Very safe, even compared to cars twice its size
• Despite the appearance, quite roomy inside
• Very stable driving, given the wheels are at the extreme outer corners
• Driver's position is elevated giving a good up-high view
• Automatic/Manual sequential six-speed transmission
• You can park anywhere -- even perpendicular-park in a short parallel-parking slot. You know how parking garages have those tiny cubby-holes where nobody can park? You can park there.
• It's recyclable, good for the environment
• Colored body panels are easily switchable, don't dent easily, and when scratched don't show white underneath since the panel is that same color all the way through

It really is the ultimate commuter car.

[longtermmemmory]

It only sells in europe and its selling point is that it is small. Small in a place where finding parking is very difficult at best.

The inside is not as cramped as you would think. However it is smaller in person. Essentially take a volkswaggon bettle with only the passenger compartment on four tiny wheels. Seats two and enough trunk space for a lawyer's catalogue case.

The three cylinder engine does not leave enough power or endurnace for modest long distance travel outside of cities. Not a problem given the one time zone size of individual european countries.