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Smart Car Coming To the US In Jan. 2008

Posted by kdawson on from the noisier-than-a-hybrid dept.

Blahbooboo3 writes "After many delays and missed promises, the Smart Car is finally coming to the US in January 2008. Smart Car uses a specially designed crash cage to protect the driver and gets upwards of 40 miles per gallon. Crash tests are very positive. The car is deceptively large inside, as showcased by this great ad from the Smart USA site. The second-generation Fortwo will be offered first, starting around $14,000. Unfortunately the slick roadster isn't coming any time soon."

13 of 575 comments (clear)

  1. Smart indeed by joss · · Score: 3, Funny

    You can stick it in the back of your truck for when you need to get somewhere
    inaccessible by normal means - like closer to the mall entrance than a
    regular parking spot.

    --
    http://rareformnewmedia.com/
  2. Re:Forget smart cars... by owlnation · · Score: 4, Funny

    We need smart drivers.
    And in Europe we really need smart Smart drivers. Having lived in a few European countries -- especially in Switzerland and Germany where the Smart is popular -- one thing is noticeable about most drivers of the Smart... they are all psychotic!

    I can only assume that the extremely small size of the Smart leads to an attempt to overcompensate. Most Smarts are driven as fast as the can go, whenever possible (which isn't very fast, but far faster than safe for the size of car). They will cut you up at junctions, they will race you, they park in a manner that is often extremely selfish.

    It seems that in Europe, only total dicks buy the Smart.
  3. Re:I thought this car was a joke... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    You drive a Metro and are making fun of any other vehicle on the planet? Balls.

  4. Re:Rather get one of the scion models or even a ya by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    The Smart is the equivalent of the MAC. It is mostly used by young people that creativity related careers like architects and designers. It is also quite common as a company car for innovative dynamic companies.


    That might be the stupidest statement I've ever read at Slashdot, and I browse at -1.
  5. Re:I thought this car was a joke... by SaDan · · Score: 2, Funny

    Welcome to the iPhone of the automotive world. Except it's already out in 36 other countries. :-)

  6. Re:Rather get one of the scion models or even a ya by kanweg · · Score: 3, Funny

    That chance that it gets hit is only half as large as with a regular car!

    Bert

  7. Re:Forget smart cars... by xs650 · · Score: 2, Funny

    In the US the total Dicks drive big SUVs and 4wd pickup trucks that are never driven off pavement.

    We need to get them to convert to Smarts.

  8. I'm sure it's cute by gelfling · · Score: 4, Funny

    But at 40mpg and $14,000 it's basically a 2 seat Civic. And my next car will probably be a one year old Civic.

    And you can be sure that the rednecks down here in NC will pass some kind of law making it prohibitively expensive or uninsurable. Because as we all know, small is faggoty Eurocommunism. Down here in AMERICA, guldurnit, 75% all new Veee-hick-ul registrations are trucks and SUVs. Learn the damn rules.

  9. Re:Forget smart cars... by Rich0 · · Score: 3, Funny

    Suddenly I have a mental image of the mythbusters creating a cooking robot to try to make breakfast while another robot sets the cruise control while taking its hands off the wheel...

    After all, nobody could envision the car wandering off the road under this scenario without a proper test, could they?

  10. Re:Rather get one of the scion models or even a ya by Kristoph · · Score: 2, Funny

    That's just silly ...

    I have a wife and one child. I also have two cats. My sedan is fine to drive around the city but when we want to drive to our other home two adults, one child and two cats (in carriers) will not fit so we're going to need to get an SUV just to manage that. (We don't have one atm, but we plan on one.)

    If you have one or two kids and a pet or two an SUV is just practical, it's nothing to do with a 'power trip' or whatever.

    I will admit a station wagon would also work but I couldn't possibly ...

    ]{

  11. Deja Vu by puck13 · · Score: 5, Funny

    No trunk. Less space than a Prius. Lame.

  12. Re:Rather get one of the scion models or even a ya by Fred_A · · Score: 4, Funny

    Err, yeah. What do you mean when you speak of a vehicle rolling or rolling over in an accident?
    Rolling a good saving throw apparently...
    --

    May contain traces of nut.
    Made from the freshest electrons.
  13. Re:Rather get one of the scion models or even a ya by im_thatoneguy · · Score: 2, Funny

    P.S. Cat Carriers + Cabin Area in car accident = Flying Cats of Death. Put the animals in the loose luggage--err cats in the trunk where they belong.