Your first reaction may be, “What’s a toy car doing on the streets?” I remember seeing one for the first time a few years ago on my (then daily) commute into Victoria, BC. Now I’m the new owner (well, OK, lessee) of a “pre-owned” 2005 model smart car.
Overall there is some strikingly innovative thinking that’s gone into the car. Even with my 6’3″ height it’s amazingly roomy. Despite the measly 40 h.p. when the turbo charger kicks in it can be quite peppy. The controls are very simple, almost to a fault; for example, there are no visible door locks–locking and unlocking is solely by the integrated key fob/key.
I’ll post more initial design impression here, as I get to know it.
By the way, unlike the photo, mine is a red and black “Pure” model.
Comments
One response to “Design of the Day: smart car”
Cool. I’ll look forward to those entering the U.S. market. I’m currently driving an ’00 Saturn coupe (with the 1 suicide door) and getting 35-40 mpg, but with 180 mi-per-day commute, its wearing out, so looking to get an ’08 Saturn Sky. While not uber efficient, it’s small and not overly expensive. I’d wait and get the manual Astra…but then, when would the wife have a convertible to drive? 😉