Click above to see how "teen-friendly" the smart fortwo is.
We all know what teenagers do in the back seats of cars, don't we? Since the smart fortwo only comes with two seats, it's something that any parent will never have to worry about. And Dave Schembri, SmartUSA president, wanted to put everyone's fears to rest when he said, "After all, what better car to have for your teenager than one without a backseat."
But Schembri was actually talking about the far more dangerous backseat activity for teens: distracting the drivers in the front seats. (I don't know what else you might have been thinking). Since more than one accident has been caused by a rowdy -- or just plain distracting -- group of kids on the rear bench, it's another thing fortwo drivers won't have to worry about on the commute.
[Source: The Car Connection]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
required @ Jan 28th 2008 4:41PM
What I want to know is why this tiny two seat car guzzles so much gas. Shouldn't it be getting ~60 instead of ~30mpg?
rgseidl @ Jan 28th 2008 8:26PM
a) the car may be short but tall, so it's aerodynamic drag is comparable to that of a regular four-seater. At highway speeds, it simply doesn't save any fuel.
b) just because it only has two seats does not mean it only weighs half as much as a small four-seater. Far from it, crash safety requirements alone mean the figure is more like 80%. Vehicle weight is the primary factor in fuel economy considerations for stop-and-go traffic.
c) the engine is now a 1000cc inline three. That means the pistons are fairly small and more heat than usual is lost to the coolant. You'll have to rev it high anytime you want decent acceleration.
d) the version with the microhybrid aka stop-start feature hasn't come out yet. The frugal diesel engine cannot be offered in the US because it doesn't meet T2B5 emissions. In fact, it barely meets Euro 4 with a flow-through DPF.
e) basically, the smart fortwo is a high-falutin' niche product that only really makes sense in cities with a chronic shortage of parking spaces, e.g. Paris, Rome or San Francisco. Most US cities are much younger and feature layouts designed with the automobile in mind. This is precisely why this car wasn't offered in the US before. Other than that, all the car has going for it is the cute factor. I expect US sales to taper off quickly after the initial demand from enthusiasts has been satisfied.
required @ Jan 28th 2008 8:39PM
It's surreal. A ~1990 4 seat Geo Metro got ~50mpg, so I see absolutely no reason this "Americanized" Smart should be so blatantly inefficient.
Golferal @ Jan 28th 2008 4:46PM
I could think of some "shenanigans" with that model....
Kwyjibo @ Jan 30th 2008 1:31AM
heh...I saw one of these in Milan at 3am, parked on a sidewalk with two people going at it like you wouldn't believe....damn, they were flexible.
Chaz @ Jan 28th 2008 4:47PM
Feels like the ironic/sarcastic aspect of the campaign was lost at sea. Required makes a good point about the MPGs, we're dealing with an overpriced, overcomplicated city solution that is easily outdone by contemporary Suzuki Swifts, 107/C1/Aygo, or Mitsubishi i. If this thing doesn't have fashionability on its side, I don't see the mass appeal. We need more small cars, definitely, but I'd like to see more of the right ones make it over.
Andrew @ Jan 28th 2008 4:53PM
No back seat? Pft. That's why God invented hoods.
Guenther @ Jan 28th 2008 6:10PM
Doesn't have one of those either.
dennis@wearfirst.com @ Jan 28th 2008 4:58PM
2 words: reverse cowboy
Seoultrain @ Jan 28th 2008 5:49PM
umm, cowgirl?? or were you... oh.. ok, never mind.
LoneWolf @ Jan 28th 2008 5:07PM
...or unless they start to do "things" in the front seats.
There was a time when you had to be accompanied by someone to pick up a girl (no, I don't experienced these times :D )
hydrogen_wv @ Jan 28th 2008 5:10PM
Wow, way to put a positive spin on such a drawback.
My cousin has a Chrysler Crossfire that gets about 25mpg and has no back seat, either.... I'd take it over a SMART any day... especially with only 30mpg.
Shoaib @ Jan 28th 2008 7:21PM
Funny, I'm in the same boat, and for 15,995 with 900 miles on the clock, the crossfire is a helluva lot better. But it does take premium... which is a pain in the ass.
tim @ Jan 28th 2008 5:10PM
im a teenager and i absolutely hate to hear about "teenagers" in general killing themselves. i have seen much older people than me get into accidents with other adults and killing each other. i have great appreciation for automobiles, as does everyone else here on autoblog im sure. and i have never got into an accident yet, i havnt even had one of those fenderbenders in the parking lots. ive been driving for about 2 years now, i dont smoke, drink or do drugs. i respect my car, it was a gift to me, a 93 ford thunderbird 5.0 HO V8. my friends ask me to floor it and try out the v8 but i decline their enjoyment and tell them to do it in their own car. not all teenagers are alcoholic drug addicts that have sex in the backseat. just the same as not all rich people are a-holes and not all people with a pickup think their better than everyone else. if people started saying that all middle age men abuse kids and maxe porn videos people would get mad too(i know its not true, just trying to find an example, and if you do get mad at this ive made my point). just cuz im younger dosent mean i dont know what responsibility is. if im out in a car im responsible for my life and those around me too.
Andrew @ Jan 28th 2008 5:50PM
That's nice, now learn how to spell.
Brent @ Jan 28th 2008 5:51PM
Oh really? I think you missed the boat on this one.
Willis @ Jan 28th 2008 6:08PM
Yes, stay in skule.
That front seat is plenty of rume to contract an std while driving, mmm.. Yum
Leaf @ Jan 28th 2008 6:18PM
Tip: if you want to be taken seriously, never, EVER use "cuz" in place of "because".
Also, capitalization is your friend. Don't shun him.
Derek @ Jan 28th 2008 6:27PM
It is good to hear that you sound like a good driver, but the statistics speak for themselves. The leading cause of death for those 16-25 years old (especially males) is.... car accidents. Parents are justifiably concerned about the fate of their children when they hand over the keys.
Oh, and you should learn how your car behaves when doing something other than sedately driving about. No, don't go hooning about the neighborhood. I highly recommend finding a driving course offered by your local SCCA. Or, just participate in an autocross and find an "old hand" to ride along with you and show you the ropes. It is a safe, controlled environment and the skills you learn just can easily save your life in slick weather or emergency conditions.
Eek @ Jan 28th 2008 6:54PM
He mispelled "haven't" (havnt) and "make"(maxe). Otherwise he just needs to learn to capitalize and use punctuation, give the kid a break.