40 MPG SMART Car Arrives in U.S. (Glorified Go Kart)

AP via Yahoo ^

[Slapshot68]

"The Smart's base price is $11,590, and a fully loaded Smart Fortwo Passion convertible goes for $16,950. The 1,800-pound car gets 40 miles per gallon."

[Nowhere Man]

4. Every car made today is heavier than the equivalent model from 15-20 years ago. Bigger engines, bigger wheels, side impact protection, airbags, etc, etc. All that stuff adds weight and/or increases rolling resistance.

You just couldn’t sell a 2000 lb car with a 70 HP engine, these days. I remember when cars like Honda Civics first hit 100 HP, and it was a big deal. Other than the Smart car and a few others on the fringes, I doubt if you can buy a car making less than 100 HP these days. Or without AC, as you say.

I used to have a 1986 Ford LTD, the small one, and it was a basic car, the only goodies it had was A/C and power windows. I kind of miss that car, it had the 232 cu in, Essex V6 engine, rear wheel drive. Heck, I've beaten 4x4's going up snow covered hills in that thing. I saw a 4x4 having trouble going up a hill once, it only took me one try on that thing. The downside is that it leaked oil, every 75 to 100 miles, a quart had to go in, well at least it had a "self changing oil system." B-) I even miss the analog AM/FM stereo radio. IIRC, Ford used to offer the early models of the little LTD with a 4 cylinder engine, I think it was rated at 88 hp where mine was 120 hp but by 1986, the car was V6 only. I also have a 1977 Mercury Cougar that I am going to try to get on the road, that thing is a tank though.

I've heard talk of cars going to a 36V/42V system with all the electrical needs cars need but that has died down in the last few years. I know in the military, 24V is the standard, then again, along with the power draw of military equipment, the 24V system makes it compatible with things that run on aircraft power.

[Dagnabitt]

Dream Camper Set?

[eXe]

haha now that is kinda cool.

[Bernard]

It looks like something a group of clowns would pop out of at the circus.

Which would make it perfect for a congressional limousine, or the Al Gore Carbon Guilt Tour.

[bert]

I saw a piece on this subject and strangely believe it, the passengers are suspended within a heavily reinforced steel cage. The difference in mass will be a problem, but the cage will withstand crushing.

I gave up my Integra for a Sprinter. I’m now mass positive

[Kozak]

Like this

[RetiredArmy]

I wondered how it would hold up in a wreck with a bicycle.

[antivenom]

depends on how you drive if I do 55 on hwy i get 36 mpg but the car is so much fun to drive I rarely stay under 75

My Mini is a 2005

[Tarpon]

Oh man, that thing stuck between the wheels of a giant Mexican semi-truck isn’t going to be pretty. Poor people.

[antivenom]

I have the Super Cooper with the sports package...something about doing 70 on an exit ramp and not even feel the car sway.

Car of the century for a reason. Car with the best residual value. Can’t beat the value a Mini brings and OH so I pay 10 more a gallon...look I can afford to pay 7 dollars more every 2 weeks because I get 2 weeks on a tank.

All relative. I have MORE SUV drivers come chat with me about how they would love to dump their gas hog but are upside down on it and no one wants them except illegal aliens.

[antivenom]

Correction - 2nd place winner of Car of the Century Model T was the winner.