Origins of the Smart Car

[UncleFester]

I was the grocery store getting dinner and weekend supplies (OK, MGD). On the way out, I walked past a "Smart Car" (IHMO a dumb car). When I got to my car I saw a grocery cart with the kid's car on the front of it. Hmmm........ I fetched the shopping cart and put it next to the Smart Car

[labrat]

Did your car come with two steering wheels too?
Or do they loose that exstra one sometime during growing up?

[270winchester]

Hilarious.

..., I walked past a "Smart Car" (IHMO a dumb car). When I got to my car I saw a grocery cart with the kid's car on the front of it.

I agree. for a car with a self-confident name the Smart Car sure has some dumbness to them.

[Monocrom]

I believe the actual name is "Smart for two." But everyone shortens it to "Smart car."

Even as economical transportation for two people, the car is not very smart. Yeah, easy to park.... but so is a moped. Cargo space is a joke, and one time while headed to work on the freeway; I saw somebody riding along in one of these things. I mean, look at it; who's going to survive a crash at freeway speeds in one of those things??

Have to admit, that's a great pic. If you can pick up a car and carry it home, then it's a toy. Doesn't matter if it's red with yellow trim, or red with silver trim.

[nerdgineer]

Nice picture. I thought it evolved from a class of special low speed city vehicles developed in Europe which very young drives could be licensed to drive. They were less than 8 feet long and so could legally park sideways in a spot. Or maybe I dreamed it...

I agree, mileage on a SC seens pretty crappy considering the size. Lots of Corolla sized diesels can get 50+ on the highway.

[Kiessling]

Smart is owned by Mercedes Benz.
I had one of those, well, the earler version that was even smaller.
Those are cars for the city, not for the freeway. And European sities are naturally grown cities ... narrow little streets, cramped, no parking places. We have a lot of small cars over here.

I admit though that this one has several weaknesses that made me sell it again. I won't dive into a more detailed analysis since I don't think this is the point of this thread anyway

bernie

[labrat]

I believe the actual name is "Smart for two." But everyone shortens it to "Smart car."

You are right:
http://www.smart.com/-snm-0135207752.../Default-Start

There is also a SmartFour, with 4 seats.

Even as economical transportation for two people, the car is not very smart. Yeah, easy to park.... but so is a moped. Cargo space is a joke, and one time while headed to work on the freeway; I saw somebody riding along in one of these things. I mean, look at it; who's going to survive a crash at freeway speeds in one of those things??

http://www.kewego.no/video/iLyROoaft-f-.html

Have to admit, that's a great pic. If you can pick up a car and carry it home, then it's a toy. Doesn't matter if it's red with yellow trim, or red with silver trim.

There are many fancy versions of these, cabs also!
Not so practical here in Norway though! Very short season!

Nice picture. I thought it evolved from a class of special low speed city vehicles developed in Europe which very young drives could be licensed to drive. They were less than 8 feet long and so could legally park sideways in a spot. Or maybe I dreamed it...

They where actually a project where Mercedes did the development and the company making the Smart-watches did the design.
No "low-age" vehicles, but city-cars, yes.
Really not so smart to park them sideways in narrow streets, they do stick outside the sideline of the other parked cars and is very susceptible to being hit by larger vehicles!

I agree, mileage on a SC seens pretty crappy considering the size. Lots of Corolla sized diesels can get 50+ on the highway.

They are city-cars, with small engines.
In the city, they use little fuel to move around.
Outside the city, a small engine is no plus, it does use more fuel to keep the car in speed than a bigger engine, in higher speeds.

[Black Rose]

Cargo space is a joke

I saw a picture somewhere where someone had stacked about 14 or so cases (12s) of beer in the back of one.

[Monocrom]

I saw a picture somewhere where someone had stacked about 14 or so cases (12s) of beer in the back of one.

Cases of beer is fine. But what about longer items? That's going to be an issue.

[22hornet]

Hello,

The name Smart, actually comes from Swatch Mercedes Art. This because the brand was founded by Mercedes and Swatch (watches).
I had a Smart Roadster and it was fun to drive.





It has a 698cc 3 cilinder engine with 82hp. Top speed is 180 km/h.
It was fun and well made but after 3 years I sold it and bought a Toyota Prius...

Kind regards,
Joris

[LukeA]

The smart car has a poor powertrain design IMO. The engine is so small that accelerating under normal conditions loads it beyond the peak of its horsepower curve. A more powerful engine that could accelerate the car while in its horsepower butter zone would use less power. A car that small should get 50-60mpg, not 40.

[Lunal_Tic]

22hornet that's one of the best looking of these little cars I've seen. Here in Japan they have so many of the <660cc motored cars and trucks that there are even special license plates for them. I don't know if any of them would have "smart" status (based on performace not moniker) but they are everywhere.

-LT

[Kiessling]

The 60hp engine in my Smart for Two was plenty enough to accelerate it in the city. The 6 speed automatic gear box (or however that thing that shifts gears is called) was a PITA though .. slow to change and always good for a little surprise.
bernie

[22hornet]

22hornet that's one of the best looking of these little cars I've seen. Here in Japan they have so many of the <660cc motored cars and trucks that there are even special license plates for them. I don't know if any of them would have "smart" status (based on performace not moniker) but they are everywhere.

-LT

Hello LT,
I know, the K-cars, I suppose, right? <660cc <340cm long <148cm wide. A friend of mine has a niiiiice Daihatsu Copen . I wanted one too, but they were not imported with the 4-speed automatic gearbox (only manual 5-speed) so I bought the Smart Roadster Coupe instead, though I never regretted buying the Smart. I feel kinda sad having sold it .

LT, are you from Japan? I've always wanted to visit that country! Problem seems the language barrier (reading signs and stuff) and the extremely high cost.
Anyhow, I think it is strange that not more people visit Japan: it's the world's number 2 but practically nobody visits it, only for work. I've always liked Japanese films. A stupid question: are there any torches coming from your country?

Kind regards,
Joris

[kaichu dento]

LT, are you from Japan? I've always wanted to visit that country! Problem seems the language barrier (reading signs and stuff) and the extremely high cost.

It's not so bad here and there are signs everywhere with English on them. The main train lines in Tokyo have English announcements and a screen over the exits that changes languages so that you can see where you are, what direction you're headed, how many minutes to each stop from where you now are etc. As far as high cost goes, some things are actually cheaper here. When you get ready to come over just post it in the Cafe and find out who's here.

[Lunal_Tic]

LT, are you from Japan? I've always wanted to visit that country! Problem seems the language barrier (reading signs and stuff) and the extremely high cost.
Anyhow, I think it is strange that not more people visit Japan: it's the world's number 2 but practically nobody visits it, only for work. I've always liked Japanese films. A stupid question: are there any torches coming from your country?

Kind regards,
Joris

Hi Joris,

Yes I live in Japan, been here quite a while now but don't plan on dying here.

The signs have gotten better over the years but I still stay off the roads though with car navigation systems I would imagine that it's better still. Living costs really depend on how and where you live but a US$45 Dominos pizza is still US$45.

As for torches there are a number of customs still being made here but it seems a lot of the companies are outsourcing to Chinese makers. One exception to commercial lights that I've found is this little guy that claims to be Japanese made. The LED head rotates around and it has one level which is pretty bright.



And to get back on topic here are a couple of the little ones I was talking about.


-LT

[nisshin]

are there any torches coming from your country?

An example of a Japanese flashlight is the Ichishiki by Katokichi.

English review page

Construction of one of the Ichishiki versions, in Japanese

Mods and original flashlights on Katokichi's homepage, in Japanese

[22hornet]

Hello,
The red one looks like it is based on a Subaru Vivio, right? Were the Smart Roadsters actually sold in Japan? That's nice.
I wished more K-size sports cars were imported in Europe. They are extremely handy and loads of fun!
There is a lot to be said for a car that measures less than 148cm wide in narrow city streets...

Kind regards,
Joris

[nerdgineer]

Lunal Tic, et al. Off topic, but I happen to be in Tokyo right now on business. At the Hilton Shinjuku. Niiice....

Lots of specialized urban type cars running around, but I do metro and taxis while here. Lots on English support in Tokyo but dropoff as you get out of town can be abrupt.

[22hornet]

I used my smart on hunting trips in England as well .
Far better than an olive green Landrover.
The animals came out of the bushes to watch my car, which made it easy for me to shoot them .

Kind regards,
Joris

[kaichu dento]

Don't know how much time you've got here but I've lived in Japan about 6 years altogether and still come back every year.

If you're still in Shinjuku on the 6th I'm playing at Dubliners, right upstairs from Ginza Lion. Come in and show your CPF credentials and your first drink is on me!

I've got a couple more gigs lined up but they're later in the month.

I hope you brought all your lights with you! I'll PM you my cell number and can show you around a bit if you've got any free time or want to try some great food!