How can you not love the Smart Car?
If you were anything like me when you were little, you dreamed of jumping inside of your matchbox cars. You know… getting shrink gunned down, jumping in and driving away. Well now because of the Smart Car you can actually do it… well almost.
Made by a European company named Smart (smartusa.com) who later merged with Mercedes Benz, Smart has been primarily a Euro micro-car. But due to American’s need for more fuel-efficient vehicles as well as vehicles that prevent congestion. Smart will soon be available in the States as early as 2008.
The Smart is a fuel-efficient 60-mile per/gallon subcompact. It is just over 8-feet long and weighs a mere 1,180 lbs. The projected cost of a Smart Car is approx. $15,000.
Is it safe?
The frame of the Smart Car is made of reinforced steel, creating what engineers compare to the way the outside of a walnut shell protects the inside nut. In Europe’s five star crash rating system the Smart Car gets 3 stars.
Safety features include:
1) Breaking and stability technology, usually found only in high-end luxury cars.
2) “Start -Assist”, On hills it causes the car to brake for a second to allow for foot adjustment.
3) Frame with high-strength steel beams that reinforce key areas.
I think visually and practically the Smart Car is going to be a welcomed relief in comparison to the abundance of Hummer’s and monster SUV’s that dominate our roads. You just can’t see around them! It will be great to get away from the, “my truck is bigger than you truck mentality.”
(Although, let’s hope the 5′1″ lady driving her Hum-V to work has had plenty of Starbucks…. or else, it could be SPLAT for Smart Car.)
This micro-car is being promoted as a fun and exciting driving experience. It is urban, ecological, innovative, and just darn cute.
Go Smart Car! (smartusa.com)
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