How the Smart Car Works

While being a great fan of innovative car technology, I am not a fan of the Smart cars for most people.

If the fuel consumption figures were excellent then there may be a justification for buying it. Similarly if the price was a real bargain - which it is not.

In the UK the Smart is a cult micro car for people who want to make a statement, or for people - and I know several - who simply want to drive a very small car for parking and city acces reasons.

If you just want a small car, there are many better out there which CAN seat four people for the school run AND are cheaper AND do as well in the fuel economy and emissions data.

I would choose one of those.

These cars are 2.5m long (or should I say short), and are often to be seen parked sideways in busy streets.

Jeremy Clarkson, the (in)famous television mtoring journalist, and his cohorts arranged the collision of one of these, without occupant, with a concrete crash-barrier placed at about 70deg impact angle and with a closing speed of 70mph, televising the collision as part of a motoring magazine programme. Though the vehicle withstood the impact surprisingly well, the passenger compartment remaining largely intact, the human body has not yet evolved to the point where it can survive the deceleration of this particular intensity of impact.

It made interesting viewing.

These cars are already for sale in portland oregon. I personally would buy a toyota yaris, if I was in the market for a little car. Its just a little bit bigger than the smart car and 1/2 the price.

rbeadle

smart has a $99 reservation system at smartusa.com. The car might not be for everyone, but I think it will be very effective for high density areas and for people who don't need the carrying capacity of a full size car or SUV.