Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[SMART will debut in the U.S. with three-model lineup]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/16/smart-will-debut-in-the-u-s-with-three-model-lineup/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/16/smart-will-debut-in-the-u-s-with-three-model-lineup/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/16/smart-will-debut-in-the-u-s-with-three-model-lineup/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Dave Schembri, tapped by Roger Penske to lead smart in the United States, sat in on Autoline Detroit recently and shared some info about the models we can expect to see when smart debuts here. There will be three models initially, a base, a top-of-the-line coupe, and a cabriolet, all versions of the smart ForTwo. Schembri also hinted that the next-generation smart lineup is slated to debut in Stuttgart with more information in mid-November.

The next smart was originally supposed to debut at the Paris Motor Show, but DaimlerChrysler pulled the plug at the last minute. To make amends, DCX released some cool renderings and a mysterious claim that anything the current smart can do, the next one will be able to do better. Neff over here at Autoblog has his money on bigger dimensions and more engine options, but we'll have to wait until November to know for sure.

[Source: Autoline Detroit via All Cars All the Time]

SMART will debut in the U.S. with three-model lineup originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Oct 2006 08:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>daimlerchryslerfortwominismartsmart roadsterSmartRoadsterMon, 16 Oct 2006 08:07:00 EST<![CDATA[RR of the Day: SMART Roadster]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/21/rr-of-the-day-smart-roadster/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/21/rr-of-the-day-smart-roadster/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/21/rr-of-the-day-smart-roadster/#commentsFiled under:



Whether or not we'll ever see a variant of the SMART Roadster stateside, we'll get to live vicariously through a reader going by the name pixelthing, who seems to be enjoying his diminutive two-seater while exploring the world through the lens of his camera.

For the uninitiated, the Roadster began life back in 2003 and has shown that a city car manufacturer can breathe some driving enjoyment into an otherwise staid means of transportation. Based off of a stretched ForTwo platform, the Roadster came equipped with a turbo'd three-cylinder, sending power to the rear wheels via a six-speed, sequential transmission. Although the engine only produces between 60 and 80 hp, it is more than willing to motivate the roadster's 1,700 lbs. with ease.

However, our favorite version of the SMART Roadster has to be the Brabus-tuned version, equipped with a bi-turbo V6, sharing the same power-to-weight ratio with the last generation Porsche Carrera 4S.

Until Project Kimber births an AC product with the underpinnings of the Roadster, we'll have to settle for adoring the futuristic coupe from afar. Enjoy it pixelthing and keep up with the photos.

If you'd like to see your own ride featured here, simply upload photos of your ride into our Flickr group. We select one image to highlight each week day, and on the weekend let you vote for the RR of the Week. Detailed instructions can be found after the jump.

Continue reading RR of the Day: SMART Roadster

RR of the Day: SMART Roadster originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Sep 2006 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fortwosmart roadsterSmartRoadsterThu, 21 Sep 2006 14:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Smart roadster to be built in Wales]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/20/smart-roadster-to-be-built-in-wales/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/20/smart-roadster-to-be-built-in-wales/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/20/smart-roadster-to-be-built-in-wales/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Project Kimber, the U.K. group that purchased the manufacturing rights to the Smart Roadster, announced this week that it will locate its production facility in Wales. After relocating the Roadster's production line from the Smart factory to Kimber's as yet unnamed site in Wales, the group plan to begin production by mid-2007.

Project Kimber was one of the original candidates to buy the assets of MG Rover, but lost the bidding war to Nanjing Automotive. 4Car reports that the group had hoped to brand the diminutive runabout as a reborn MG Midget, but is now considering licensing the Triumph name. (So, would that make it a TR9?)

[Source: 4Car]

Smart roadster to be built in Wales originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Jul 2006 11:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mgmg roverproject kimbersmart roadstersmart sports carSmartRoadstertriumphtriumph sports carwalesThu, 20 Jul 2006 11:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Smart roadster returns!]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/02/21/smart-roadster-returns/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/02/21/smart-roadster-returns/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/02/21/smart-roadster-returns/#commentsFiled under: ,



Well, the rumor is now reality - DaimlerChrysler has agreed in principle to sell the rights to the Smart roadster to the British 'Project Kimber' consortium headed by David James. James' group has apparently signed a memorandum of understanding with DaimlerChrysler that covers both the rights to produce the roadster and DaimlerChrysler's production equipment for the car.

It's probably fitting that the country that brought us the Spridget should be the new home for this 21st century mini-roadster.

Smart roadster returns! originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Feb 2006 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>daimlerchryslersmart carsmart roadsterSmartCarsports carTue, 21 Feb 2006 12:30:00 EST