Electric Smart Car plug in demo
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Who needs petrol stations when you have one of these? A full charge will give you up to an 85 mile range for as little as 50 pence, here in the UK. Charging is simple and can be done from a normal domestic mains socket. It has a top speed of almost 70mph and, as with a standard Smart Car, it exceeds crash test requirements. It's a baby Merc after all
This car is under trial at the moment, but when the production cars become available soon, that 85 mile range is expected to be increased even further.
Watch this space...
smart fortwo Transmission Shifting Extended Version
Video of a smart fortwo showing acceleration runs, skip gear changes, and a stop and go simulation to demonstrate how the transmission shifts in various situations.
The liquid container on the dash is a quart jar half filled with tap water and green food coloring added for contrast. The "slosh markers" are rubber bands.
Smart Fortwo demo ride with Tim & Chuck
Updated 5/19/2012:
Since I originally posted this video I have modified my impressions a bit. I discovered other cars in this same price range that have better mileage on regular gas (the SmartCar uses premium), will seat 4 people, and have a better air-conditioner and smoother transmission. All that said, I will stick with my original statement that it is a fun car to drive, handles well even on the highway, is a cinch to park, still is a head-turner, and serves a certain market niche. Good luck!
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[Original Comments...]
This video really is for my god-daughter in Canada who wanted to see my Smart Car. So this is a Smart Fortwo demo ride video taken on Easter, 2010. As explained in the video, it takes a bit of getting used to the automatic shifting mechanism. It can be driven fairly smoothly but requires about an hour to get the right touch of the gas and brake. The brake is sensitive and is hinged from the bottom which is unusual these days.
Great little car. Lots of fun. Good price. Good gas mileage, although premium fuel is needed. Basic stereo is pretty good. A/C ran well. About the only accessory not available is cruise-control. Highway speeds were good, stable, and responsive. There never was a feeling the car is as small as it it. The view from inside seems very similar to any sub-compact car, contrary to what one might think.
Comfort is quite reasonable on smooth highway. However, in-town potholes and rough road can be quite jarring, as might be expected for such a short car. Ground clearance is good and one sits quite high up for a good view. Two large people are easily handled with no noticeable performance issues. Interior room and head-room is excellent. There is no need get down and crawl into the car. Seating is high and doors open wide for easy access.
There is an all-electric version but it is not yet available in the USA. I suspect it would be very smooth as most electrics do not really require a traditional transmission.
Overall, I think it is a great car, a bit of novelty, and probably a good commuter car. It really is limited to two seats and groceries. Probably, for a few thousand more, one could purchase a true 4-seat car that is more traditional such as a Honda Fit. If one lived downtown in a major city, though, this would be an excellent car as one can park it just about anywhere. A major trip of a few hundred miles would not be unreasonable, either, so it is quite useable all-around. Reports and videos elsewhere on YT give the vehicle good safety marks.
Overall, I liked it and felt quite comfortable in the vehicle after a weekend of use.
Turbocharged SMART car at 15.8 PSI of Boost!
SMART car turbocharged with SFR kit peaking at 15.8 PSI of Boost. Been running the car like this if not in worst condition for the last 5,000 miles and glad to know the engine, transmission and clutch has been holding up very well!
2009 Smart Fortwo Passion Coupe Start Up, Exhaust, In Depth Review, and Test Drive
Hello and welcome to Saabkyle04! YouTube's largest collection of automotive variety! In today's video, we will take an up close and personal in depth look at the 2009 Smart Fortwo Passion Coupe. A neat, quirky, different take on sub compacts. The Smart boasts dramatic looks, surprising interior space and safety, with Mercedes Benz build quality. While some of it's drivetrain characteristics offer a love it or hate it feel, you just can't help to think it's quite the neat car! A 70hp 1.0L 3 cyl engine with a 5 speed automated manual transmission, providing reasonable power and zippy acceleration for city traveling. Although no race car, it's definitely a fun and unique vehicles for those looking for a fuel efficient vehicle that strays away from the norm! During this presentation, we will take a 1st person look at what the Fortwo is all about beginning with the start up, performance data, fuel economy, the occasional track data, and build quality. Also, I will teach you how to use most of the interior and exterior features in a detailed fashion, that before, you could only get from going to a dealership yourself! Throughout the video, I will highlight key styling and unique differences about the vehicle, any available options, and of course it would not be an enthusiast car video without the good ole engine portion with rev and Exhaust note with interior and exterior perspectives. A thorough tour/review of this car designed to give others a greater overall appreciation of the vehicle.
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In this channel you will find in depth reviews/tour of automobiles from all over the world, presented in a more detailed fashion than ever before. Basically, this gives the viewer the chance to view the most detailed 1st person look you can get without going to an actual dealer yourself! Every video is consistent in the way I present so viewers know what to expect in my presentations. I treat every vehicle with the same respect whether a 1960 Chevrolet Impala SS or the 2012 Lamborghini Aventador. I film all types of vehicles from past, present, and future while broadening the knowledge of the automotive enthusiast. You will see everything from vintage, brand new, exotic, mainstream, old, etc. I am very proud of this channel and have built it up from amateur videos years ago to what you see today. I wanted to share my love for the automotive world with the rest of the world. Be sure to explore the massive video variety, have fun and enjoy The Driver's Seat of YouTube!
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Smart Car Review from Consumer Reports
Check out our Smart Car review with this video from Consumer Reports. Get more car info on our website: http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/index.htm In our tests, we found that the Smart For Two does not offer a comfortable ride. We also found that other hybrids or sedans offer better fuel economy at lower cost.
Smart ForTwo Passion Coupe--D&M Motorsports Video Test Drive 2012 Chris Moran
Smart ForTwo Passion Coupe Review with Chris Moran. Presented by D&M Motorsports.
The Smart Fortwo is an all-new brand and model in the United States for 2008, sold at a select number of United Auto Group and Mercedes-Benz dealerships across the country.
Introduction
Revolution, dud or something in between? The 2008 Smart Fortwo could be any of these, but which one depends on how Americans respond to this long-awaited city car as it starts to trickle into dealerships around the country. The previous generation has sold more than 770,000 units in other parts of the world since 1998, appealing to urban customers who gravitated to its sky-high fuel economy and park-anywhere size. While most Americans have probably seen a Smart car, only time will tell how many pick one as their daily commuting partner.
Not that it comes as a news flash, but the Mercedes-built Smart is small. Really small. It's more than 3 feet shorter than a Mini Cooper and only a foot longer than an E-Z-GO golf cart. It seats only two people, with a fair-sized trunk above the rear-mounted engine. Yet that silver or black strip that loops around the Fortwo's side is what differentiates this minicar from the E-Z-GO.
Known as the Tridion safety cell, this cage of high-strength steel allows the Smart car to withstand impacts as well as or better than much larger cars. An impressive array of other safety systems -- side airbags, antilock brakes, brake assist, stability control and traction control -- add to its ability to thwart occupant injury. Plus, axles placed close to the passenger compartment provide additional protection in side impacts.
Other markets get diesel and turbocharged gasoline engines, but the America-bound Fortwo will only come with a 1.0-liter three-cylinder gasoline engine. Saddled with 71 horsepower, this powertrain will be able to motivate the 1,804-pound Smart from zero to 60 mph in 14.1 seconds. The wonky five-speed automanual transmission found in the last Smart car has been replaced by an allegedly improved one, which makes us wonder how awful the predecessor was, considering the new car's herky-jerky motions and extreme shift lag. After a quick drive, it will leave you wondering how it's in any way superior to a traditional automatic or clutch-pedal manual.
In total, the Smart has just enough pep around town, but it feels woefully lackluster (and a little worrisome) on the highway. But that's a pretty good way to sum up the entire Smart Fortwo experience. For those who spend 90 percent of their driving time by themselves in traffic or meandering through congested city streets, the Fortwo makes sense (as long as they can put up with the wonky transmission). Its tiny dimensions make finding a parallel parking spot a relatively simple exercise -- although the new model is now too long to be parked perpendicularly on the street. Also, speeds in the city should rarely get so high that the mere sight of a Navigator makes you pack the dashboard with statues of St. Christopher.
But for those who routinely drive on the highway, the Fortwo just doesn't make sense -- even if it gets excellent gas mileage. A similarly priced subcompact will handle high speeds better; ditto the more expensive but greener Prius. The 2008 Smart Fortwo isn't a good choice for most consumers, but for certain urban-based drivers, it's most definitely worth consideration.
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options
The 2008 Smart Fortwo is a two-seat, subcompact city car available in two body styles. The hatchback Coupe is offered in Pure and Passion trim levels, while the convertible Cabrio only comes in Passion. The base Pure comes with 15-inch steel wheels, keyless entry, leather steering wheel and electric rear window defroster. Power steering, air-conditioning, radio, power windows and alloy wheels are optional on the Pure. The Passion gets all those basic features, plus a panorama glass roof, sport steering wheel with shift paddles, power heated side mirrors and a CD player. The Passion Cabrio adds an upgraded stereo with MP3-compatible in-dash six-CD changer, along with a manually operated canvas roof. Passion options include partial leather upholstery and additional gauges.
Powertrains and Performance
The 2008 Smart Fortwo is powered by a 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine that produces 71 hp and 68 pound-feet of torque. Surprisingly, it requires premium fuel. The maximum speed is 90 mph, with a 0-60-mph time of 14.1 seconds. A five-speed automanual transmission drives the Fortwo's rear wheels and is shifted without a clutch pedal via a simple console-mounted stick (and column-mounted paddles on Passion models), and there is a fully automatic mode as well. With its 8.7-gallon tank, the Fortwo will return 33 mpg city, 41 mpg highway and 36 mpg combined.
