Smart ForTwo CDi 71.3 mpg (US) with CO2 emissions of only 88 g/km.

[AZEqualizer]

When the second-generation Smart ForTwo entered production earlier this year, its EU mileage ratings put it at the top of the heap for internal combustion engined cars by a pretty wide margin. On the EU combined cycle the diesel version was rated at 71.3 mpg (US) with CO2 emissions of only 88 g/km. The Italian magazine Quattroruote decided to see if that was achievable in the real world. They laid out a 1,000 km route consisting of highways, traffic jams, mountain roads and urban settings in Rome, Balzano and Salzburg. The bottom line is that they consumed 33 L of diesel to cover the distance, matching the official ratings.

[Source: Daimler]

Autoblggreen article (http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/11/29/italian-magazine-verifies-smart-fortwo-cdi-mileage-figures/)

[Derwin]

I love the mpg ratings on that car. I was even considering getting it. But then I stepped back after really thinking about it. The Smart car really has no "cool" or "fun" factor to it at all. It DOES have the mpg factor to it, though, and that counts for a lot. I think the convertible model is the best, but thats just my opinion.

[WattGas?]

It's a "Girl Car". Maybe not "cool", but certainly "cute". Same sort of appeal as the Cooper Mini...

[randi]

I test drove one of these this past summer--the cabriolet model. Good overall visibiity, although somewhat hampered rear visibility with the top down. Didn't get to ride it over the freeway, so can't gauge its get up and go when merging into fast traffic. These were originally going on sale in the US starting at $12K--wonder where that starting price is set now.

Nice climate control; these have auto and manual drives; I love some of the color combos these come in--panels are same as for the Venture.

I'd take one if push comes to shove--at the lower end of the price scale. But really, I already have a sporty, near bullet-proof two seater. I rather save my pennies for the 100pmg, 100mph funcycle--Vhatever.:p

[rogwild]

These were originally going on sale in the US starting at $12K--wonder where that starting price is set now.
:p

Well, according to their 'Newsletter #10'; their 2008 pricing will be:
$11,590 = Base Model
$13,590 = Sport Model
$16,590 = Cabriolet model

[AZEqualizer]

Wire Mag article: (http://www.wired.com/cars/coolwheels/magazine/test2007/au_smart_fortwo)

http://www.wired.com/images/article/magazine/test2007/au_smart_fortwo_f.jpg


http://www.wired.com/images/article/magazine/test2007/best_of_test.jpg
It's the most honest car on the road — two seats, four wheels, zero pretensions. No phony rear seats, no attempt to ease the aesthetic shock by trying to ape a conventional sedan. The smart fortwo, the first truly modern microcar to arrive in the US, scrambles ashore with the irrepressible glee of a 2-year-old. It is absolutely confident it will win you over. And with unmatchable urban maneuverability, praiseworthy gas mileage, and startling safety credentials, it more than earns the love.

[AZEqualizer]

The blog on Green Car Advisor has a broken link so I just included the whole article
http://blogs.edmunds.com/greencaradvisor/SmartEV750.jpg
August 11, 2008
Daimler Announces Plans to Produce 10,000 Electric Vehicles by 2012

In March we brought you news that Green Car Advisor had spied a pair of electric-powered Smart Fortwos in California and that Smart USA President David Schembri hoped to begin testing a small fleet of Smart EVs here in America sometime next year.

Today we can report that Daimler Group, which owns Smart, is aiming to produce 10,000 electric vehicles by 2012.

"By 2010 we will be very close to series production and aim to start with limited numbers in the hundreds," Thomas Weber, Daimler's director for research and development, said in Stuttgart Saturday. "Our aim is to cover costs by 2010. By 2012 we would be producing around 10,000 units."

Weber said "the next phase in electric car production is equipping the Smart microcars with lithium-ion batteries, with Smart two-seaters and the Mercedes A series coming onto the market the following year."

Daimler research shows that for most European customers 80 percent of their mobility requirement was under 31 miles a day. Weber said Smart electric cars can go 60 miles between charges.

The most promising market is seen as Europe, where environmental concerns are widespread. Weber said Daimler was planning further tests on top of those currently running since last year in London.

"Berlin is very interested, and Paris and Rome would also be possible," he said, but he made no mention of Smart or Mercedes EVs coming to the U.S., and calls placed to Daimler for information on that subject were not returned promptly.

Scott Doggett, Contributor Green Car Advisor

[TazmanianKoala]

Well, actually an EV Smart would be my next best choice. Especially the model pictured above with the open top.
With my daily commute of about 6 miles (or less), it would be a nice alternative.

[AZEqualizer]

This is from Autoblog's 2008 SEMA coverage (http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/06/sema-2008-batsmart-by-barris/).
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/11/batsmart---08.jpg
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/11/batsmart---2_opt.jpg

The George Barris Batman inspired Smart FourTwo. (and yes there is a car in the picture ...)

Picture Gallery here (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/sema-2008-barris-batsmart/1143392/)

[Gary]

I'll take one-each of what is holding the vehicle's door open.

=D

(Sorry.... I couldn't resist.)

[Derwin]

I'll take one-each of what is holding the vehicle's door open.=D

You beat me to it. I was about to say the same thing! :whoohoo:

[Miracleman89]

MEEEEEEOOOOOWWWW!


Oh yeah the bat car is cool too.

[ziggy951]

I wonder if there is room for a turbo.




Z

[beeson]

There isn't any room for more equipment in there. Oh, you mean the car.