Daimler Chrysler's Fuel-Efficient Smart ForTwo
The Smart ForTwo Coupe's MPG, Cost, Features
Oct 6, 2008
The ubiquitous Smart car looks goofy. That is, until its low cost and high mpg are looked at. Add its inherent manuveurability and high government safety ratings and the smart car begins to look, well, smart.
Smart Car First Revealed in 1997 by Swatch Inventor
Of course something as silly looking as the smart car came from the same person who brought us the 'swatch.' Inventor Nicolas Hayek first laid plans for the tiny, efficient mobile in 1994. After a deal with Volkswagen fell through, Hayek teamed up with Daimler-Benz and eventually released the first generation smart car in 1997. Initially Hayek was upset that the car wasn't made with a hybrid or electric engine, and slow sales ultimately led to his departure from the partnership. Smart car is now exclusively owned by Daimler Chrysler.
After 10 years of slow sales, the smart car was headed for the chopping block until the sudden surge in gas prices hit the US. The small cars, always a hit in Europe, were given a second chance in the SUV-addicted US and the Smart car is profiting from America's fuel woes.
Smart Car Features and Cost
The fully loaded smart car is somewhat comparable in price and fuel efficiency to the popular Toyota and Honda hybrid models. The 2008 smart "Fortwo" coupe model is rated at 33 cit y and 41 highway, surprisingly low for such a small car. The Smart car runs on a gas engine, making it the most fuel efficient non-hybrid engine, but is still slightly beat by its hybrid competitors.
The most popular Smart car, the Fortwo Pure Coupe, is listed at $11,500. The high-end Pulse and Passion models outsell the Pure and cost around $16,000. A Toyota or Honda comes in at slightly higher price, but both brands' hybrids have slightly better gas mileage than the Fortwo (read 'For Two'). Each Fortwo model comes in a coupe or cabrio style and runs on a 3 cylinder engine. The car is technically a manual clutch, but is shifted through a series of lever taps.
Best Smart Car Advantage: Parking
While a larger hybrid may give a slight mpg edge, the Smart car pays off in spades for workers who commute to a large city every day. The Smart car is designed to fit head into a parallel parking spot, allowing for 2-3 smart cars to fit in 1 curbside slot. The Smart car can also squeeze into the tightest of spaces, including in alleyways or a large motorcycle slot.
According to a recent Business Week article the Smart car's fuel efficiency combined with its parking manueverability has brought Chrysler Daimler screeching into the fuel-efficient car market, as Smart car sales are up 57% this year, and have a year long waiting list.
Smart Car Safety: Is a Small Car Safe?
The stopping point for many consumers upon first glance at the Smart car is 'how can than tiny thing survive a collision?" The answer is, as it turns out, remarkable well. In the second generation Smart cars, Chrysler Daimler made safety its number one issue.
The Smart car's signature Tridion safety cage earned it the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's highest rating for front and side impact collisions, and its second highest rating for rear end crashes. Cars.com gave the 2008 Smart Fortwo Coupe an 8 out 10 for safety, its highest rated feature for the Smart car.
With high fuel efficiency, high safety ratings, ultimate parking and manuever abilities, enough room for two people and a hefty load of groceries, the Smart car is poised to increase its share of the small car market with ever fuel-cost conscious and time-squeezed consumers.
