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[Funky Papa]

Nice read ahead

http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/12.10/microcar.html

The Smart is the minicar of choice in Europe among representatives and other workers that have to travel a lot into clogged cities. You can park it everywhere, it is really cheap to mantain and it is one of the safest small cars on the market. Plus it always gets a lot of attention, making it a great publicity platform.

And for those who are still crying that small cars are death traps, check this out -Smart vs Mercedes S Class- The smart is a tiny tank.

More info: http://www.thesmart.co.uk/

Yep, I love small cars

 

[explodet]

I saw one on the street the other day - MAN is this thing tiny.
Also saw a TV segment on it - the guy was driving it into buildings and on sidewalks.

If you're ever driving one though, pray you'll never become the meat in an SUV sandwich.

I'm in Canada BTW, and according to the article the Smart car is arriving soon - if it hasn't already. Neat.

 

[seanoff]

suprisingly roomy for the two people it fits too.

Saw three in Frankfurt a while back, all parked in the one spot noses out. I think some euro cities letem park for free because they are so small.

 

[G4life98]

it would be a cool utility car... for too and from work.

 

[heavy liquid]

With 70 miles to the gallon and a $13,000 base price, I'll have to seriously consider this for my next car. The money saved on gas would be HUGE.

If you're ever driving one though, pray you'll never become the meat in an SUV sandwich.

I was thinking the same thing.. but did you read this part?

The problem was, with so little car out front, there was nothing left to crush between you and, say, an oncoming Escalade. So Smart designers invented the Fortwo's main style and safety feature: a bulky steel cell, visible inside and out, that frames the passenger compartment like a roll cage and absorbs the shock of a head-on collision. What happens if some Detroit-engineered behemoth plows into the featherweight Fortwo? I got a pretty good idea, watching a Smart-sponsored crash test with a Mercedes E-Class: The big sedan crumpled, and the Fortwo ricocheted. In a separate test, by the European New Car Assessment Program, a 40-mph impact with a concrete wall failed to dent the safety cell. They awarded the Smart a three-star crash rating - nothing like a Volvo but better than a Ford Escort, which weighs nearly half a ton more than the Fortwo.

Pretty innovative. I'd hate to be involved in an accident at over 40 mph though.

 

[Cerebral Palsy]

I've always wanted to die in a 5mph fender bender. When can I get one?