Daily Tomorrow-An Eco-blog about green living, health and the environment

Tuesday Travels: Could you be Smart material?

by Ali on September 25th, 2007

They sip fuel, turn heads and can fit into parking spaces like nobody’s business - it’s the Smart ‘fortwo’ from Mercedes Car Group. These four-wheel cuties first made waves in the US at the 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, teasing the crowds and press that it would be “coming to America in 2008″. Recently, the endearing two seater has been making friends on a 50-city US tour. What’dya think? Could you be Smart material?

MSNBC recently reported from New York - Americans get look at tiny Smart car - where the Smart was stopping traffic in Manhattan. Just 2.5 meters long (about 8 1/2 feet), the ‘fortwo’ is half the length and a third the weight of a typical SUV - a mere bug beneath the city’s towering skyline.

While Americans ponder the size and safety of the Smart, the cars are holding their own in Europe. Over 770,000 Europeans have claimed Smart ownership, many for its compact convenience for urban excursions. Many cities have ‘Smart-only’ parking that squeezes every inch of space out of urban jungles.

What about the highway? Well, I will (shamefully) admit that my VW Golf has been lapped by more than one Smart on Germany’s Autobahn. And Smart owners swear by the tiny car’s long distance capabilities.

Does the little Smart have a chance against the mean SUVs congesting the US highways? Only time will tell. Canadians have been seduced by the car’s ability to get more than 40 miles to the gallon.

To give the “cute” cars a little edge for their US debut, Mercedes has teamed up with racing legend Roger Penske through Penske’s UnitedAuto distribution group. The team, Smart USA, is expected to launch the Smart ‘fortwo’ in the US in early 2008. Reservations start at $99 and the preview tour is still underway - visit SmartUSA for upcoming stops. Also check out this bubble-gum-like Smart dispenser… here

Don’t forget Transportation Tuesdays at Inhabitat for more green life on the road!

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POSTED IN: Fuel & Energy, Tuesday Travels