2008 smart cars ready to hit U.S.

2008 smart fortwo

(Credit: smart USA)

Pricing is out for the new, admittedly odd-looking smart fortwo. The compact vehicle, manufactured by Mercedes, features a 1-liter, 3-cylinder engine that puts out a maximum of 71 horsepower. Cars are expected to ship the first quarter of 2008.

The base model starts at $11,590 and includes a 5-speed transmission that switches from automatic to manual mode with the touch of a button. The "passion coupe," which includes features found in more expensive luxury cars like a panorama roof, alloy wheels, paddle shifters and heated side mirrors, starts at $13,590. The convertible will be $16,590 and up, with an optional premium sound system that includes an in-dash MP3 compatible 6-CD changer. Smart claims its cabriolet will be the lowest priced convertible offered in the U.S.

Smart is hinging much of its sales on fuel efficiency numbers. The fortwos can achieve more than 40 miles per gallon under normal driving conditions.

Smart executives earlier this year hinted at plans to open several smart car dealerships across the country; many will be attached to Mercedes-Benz dealerships, much the way Mini Coopers are sold at dealerships alongside BMWs. The smart dealer network will be officially announced this fall. Smart cars are currently sold in 36 countries, and more than 800,000 smart fortwos have been sold since 1998.

[Brak78102]

Mercedes fourtwo

I read about this car in BPM Magazine last month. Rather interesting.

[smartwrap]

Smart Big on the inside

I had a chance to test drive the Smart this summer and It is huge on the inside. Check out my review at www.smartfourm.com
It is worth a drive.

[galgamer]

Great for cities

I was in Italy in the spring and these cars were everywhere. Everyone we spoke to about them loved their cars and enjoyed how easy they were for big ciy driving. They would be a welcome change in tight parking situations.

[rtaite]

Very good girl

Dear Ms. Burstein:

I am impressed by the quality and newsworthiness of your automobile blog entries. It is difficult to find women who give two craps about automobiles much less one who actually knows something about the internals.

Just a question: are you following the buzz around EESTOR? The technology they've developed is very disruptive to all internal combustion engines. I'm surprised more people are not following this one closely.

[451smartfortwo]

Thanks for creating this great article on the smart, I would like to personally invite you to the new smart site just launched.

The new smart website is focused on the 451 smart fortwo ( 2008 smart car ) and its web address is: http://www.451s.com

451s.com was created to help bring together worldwide smart owners and smart enthusiasts. While this site is focused on the 451 smart fortwo sold in America and Canada it is open to all smart's and the worldwide smart community.

http://www.451s.com

[mouseolympics]

A friend drives a Smart car around Atlanta and loves it. Here is a great article with pictures of her with her car http://www.askprimerica.com/smart-car-turns-heads-saves-gas-for-a-primerica-home-office-employee%e2%80%99s-daily-commute/