Hey Mike didn’t think you would be able to stay comfortable. May this is the next Fireball Car

Ernie

I feel your pain. I’d certainly love the fuel economy that the ForTwo offers but at 6’3″ and 270 pounds, I dont think its in the offing.

I’ve been to Europe a few times over the past decade and the Smart cars have a loyal following across the pond, particularly in France and Germany where I’ve visited. For basic urban transportation, they have their merits. But at 41 mpg from diesel engine and a fairly stiff price tag, one has to wonder if there arent other comparably-priced, nearly fuel-efficent, more utilitarian alternatives.

In my blog last month (www.nextgenautos.com), I explored the differences between gasoline, diesel and hybrid vehicles as fuel savers and recommend a few from each category.

Why not buy a used 2003 Audi S8 with 370hp V8 for $15K
Then you can ride around with 4 of your mates.
Or your woman and 2 dogs, car load of computer crap and clothes for 2 weeks and still have room for 2 kegs of MicroBrew from Colorado to haul back home to Alabama.
DO THAT IN A SMART CAR!

I’ve always wondered what a Smart car would look like beside my Charger. I guess all I have to do is minus the nose cone length and then I have mine. haha.

Well mod’d diesels put out 65bhp and 599c petrol we get 100bhp (166bhp per litre) (dyno proven) and the 698cc smart we have squeezed 127.5bhp (182 bhp per litre!)from (see it here http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2502244). The new smart we have had a look at but the software and maps are proving that they often go into safe mode so development is still required there but expect 115-120bhp from 1 litre.
mpg is down to your right foot, less than 30 mpg on a std car 55mpg on a 118bhp 42 so really down to driving style.
Std boost just under 1 bar tuned cars 21 psi 1.5 bar
Early tuning showed some cars with 2 bar of boost !!! 28 psi he he he

Mike from Smartarse design smart car specalists

@ Jamiemaurice:

If you drill 4 holes for lugnuts into a 12″ or 13″ wheel, you’re actually WEAKENING the the contruction of the hub!!! Lots of small cars have 3 lug nuts overhere in Europe.

The smart could be very lightweighted if it didn’t have all the strenghtening and crumble zones. After the A-class moose debacle, Mercedes made sure the Smart safe enough.

@ Jamiemaurice:

If you drill 4 holes for lugnuts into a 12″ or 13″ wheel, you’re actually WEAKENING the the contruction of the hub!!! Lots of small cars have 3 lug nuts overhere in Europe.

The smart could be very lightweighted if it didn’t have all the strenghtening and crumble zones. After the A-class moose debacle, Mercedes made sure the Smart safe enough.

@ Jamiemaurice:

If you drill 4 holes for lugnuts into a 12″ or 13″ wheel, you’re actually WEAKENING the the contruction of the hub!!! Lots of small cars have 3 lug nuts overhere in Europe.

The smart could be very lightweighted if it didn’t have all the strenghtening and crumble zones. After the A-class moose debacle, Mercedes made sure the Smart safe enough.