<![CDATA[Jalopnik: Smart Fortwo]]> http://cache.jalopnik.com/assets/base/img/thumbs140x140/jalopnik.com.png <![CDATA[Jalopnik: Smart Fortwo]]> http://jalopnik.com/tag/smart fortwo http://jalopnik.com/tag/smart fortwo <![CDATA[This Is Why People Think Smart ForTwo Drivers Are Asshats]]> The Smart Fortwo is small enough to park two to a space, which makes a ForTwo taking up two spaces in Portugal a particularly exceptional example of asshattery. This tiny car may be driven by the biggest asshat yet. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5588778&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[When In Rome, Keep Your Smart Crocheted]]> We’ve come a long way from Pope Benedict XVI’s Ferrari Enzo. Photographed in Vatican City, this crocheted Smart is more Rastafari than Catholic. Which doesn’t make it uncool. At all. Photo Credit: StartTheDay More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5584741&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[IIHS: Small Electric Cars And Minitrucks Suck In Crashes]]> Small vehicles like the GEM e2 and Tiger minitruck advertise low cost and efficiency, but the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety thinks they shouldn't share the road with regular vehicles. Here's the dramatic test footage to back up their point. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5543553&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Yeah, This Isn't Very Smart]]> There are many problems with the US-spec Smart Fortwo. Barely hitting Honda Civic-level fuel economy and trash can interior storage space are two. This driver solved that little problem with a car topper not fit for the car. (Thanks Michael) More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5530907&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Ice-Road Truckin' In A Smart ForTwo]]> Paul Shippey drove a Smart ForTwo across Canada's Dempster Highway, one of the roads featured in Ice Road Truckers and the only all-weather road into the Arctic Circle. This is his crazy story, which originally appeared on Wired.com. —Ed. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5512708&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[New Smart Marketing Mini-Site Weird, Occasionally NSFW]]> What do a naked man, a bloodhound, two guys dressed as hot dogs and the Smart Fortwo have in common? They're all on a new Smart mini-site that is anything but normal. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5470387&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[IIHS: Only Smart Fortwo Gets "Good" Roof Strength Rating]]> The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, never short of tests, put six mini/microcars to the roof strength test. The result? If you have to, you might be better off rolling a Smart Fortwo than flipping an Aveo. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5341678&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[The Right Way to Drive a Smart Car at the Woodward Dream Cruise]]> While the Smart is a road car, the Woodward Dream Cruise is definitely not where it was designed to travel. There is, however, a way to pull off the most unlikely trick of cruising in one here. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5338244&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Latest Dutch Craze: Tossing Smart ForTwos Into A Canal]]> Thought you and your friends in high school were funny when you turned old Mr. Johnson's Beetle sideways in its spot? Well brother, you have nothing on the hooligans tossing defenseless parked Smart ForTwos into Amsterdam's canals. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5323696&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Smart ForTwo EV Going On Sale In UK, Testing In Other Euro Cities]]> The Smart ForTwo EV has made it through fleet testing and because of the popular response will now be available in limited numbers for public sale. It's still tiny and expensive, but now even slower! More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5299926&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Smart To Offer U.S. Buyers Incentives For First Time]]> With low sales due partly to relatively lower fuel prices, Smart plans to offer U.S. ForTwo buyers incentives for the first time, starting with 4.2% financing for loans of up to 60 months. Next they'll try free fuzzy dice. [AutoNews] More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5292512&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[IIHS: Small Cars Are Big On Damage In Low-Speed Collisions]]> Microcars are often chosen for urban driving because they're affordable, fuel efficient and easy to park. With fender-benders the largest urban driving hazard, the IIHS tested bumpers on seven popular microcars, None earned top marks and five were rated "Poor." More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5287016&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[20 Least Expensive Cars To Insure For 2009]]> Like salt and pepper, chocolate and vanilla, our look at the 20 most expensive cars to insure for 2009 has a flip-side. Today we'll be looking at the 20 least expensive cars to insure for 2009. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5280978&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[IIHS Small Car Test: Three Gruesome Slow-Motion Crash Videos]]> This morning's IIHS report on the shocking finding that little cars don't take well to colliding, at speed, with bigger cars? Now we have the crash videos. Let's take a look at all three below. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5212046&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[BREAKING CARS! Minicars Perform Poorly In IIHS Crash Tests]]> This just in from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety: Minicars like the Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit and Smart ForTwo perform poorly in 40 MPH frontal oncoming crash tests. Also, water is wet. [Automotive News] More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5211234&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Daimler car2go Smart Car Rental Program Launching In Austin This Fall]]> Daimler has announced plans for a short term rental program hitting Austin, Texas in the fall called car2go. Users will get street-side or reservation access to parked Smart ForTwos. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5185416&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[The BatSmart Is As Silly As It Sounds]]> "Hey, why not make a Batmobile out of a Smart ForTwo?" This obviously inspired-by-narcotics statement is what created this: The BatSmart. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5177303&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Ten New Cars Cheap Enough To Gift This Holiday]]>
Looking to make this a "December to remember" but you're broke and out of blood to sell? Here's ten cars still cheap enough to put a red bow on and gift this holiday season. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5112973&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Smart ForTwo BRABUS Coming Stateside February 2009]]> Smart USA will begin selling a Smart fortwo BRABUS model beginning in February according to an email sent to customers yesterday. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like we’ll be getting the BRABUS performance tweaks — which take the 70 HP engine up to a staggering 98 HP and reduce the 0-60 time from 13 to 9.9 seconds — instead, the US is just getting the BRABUS bodykit and wheels. Customers with existing Smart ForTwo reservations, but who have not yet configured their cars, will be given the first chance to order one of the 1500 models Smart USA intends to import starting at 8pm tonight. The full email follows the jump. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5067663&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Lorinser Smart ForTwo Turbo Is Fun Until Your Friends Find Out]]> During our first drive of the 2008 Smart ForTwo we enjoyed its small size in the big city, but we would have really enjoyed some extra power. This Lorinser-tuned ForTwo may not be a sports car in the traditional sense, but with 101 HP from its turbocharged 3-cylinder, it's a nice improvement over the stock mill. However, even though the car weighs just 1700 lbs, 0-62 MPH still takes almost 10 seconds, likely due in part to the sluggish semi-automatic gearbox. Sure, you get a Lorinser body kit and some spiffy rims, but we'd still rather just build ourselves a 'Busa Smart. Humorous ESL press release after the jump. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5062747&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Ten New Cars For People Who Hate Cars]]> Not everyone enjoys driving. Some hate it, and not everyone can get where they need to go by walking or using public transit. Individuals who find themselves in the center of that particular Venn diagram are in luck because automakers have created a number of cars for drivers who hate driving. These cars are to automotive culture what Kenny G's songs are to the culture of music. Though they're technically automobiles, they distinguish themselves with their indistinguishability. They get you from point A to point B in the way that makes you forget all points in between. These are the ten new cars for people who hate cars. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5057602&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Electric Smart Fortwo Undergoing Real-World Tests In London]]> Though not yet available to the public, Daimler has released a few copies of their electric Smart Fortwo to agencies and companies around Britain for some real-world testing. Don't be surprised if you're cruising around Islington only to find yourself apprehended by a bobby in a juiced-up Smart car, though you can try to escape by driving further than the car's 72-mile range. If you can get the cops to run out of power that'll give you an eight-hour jump on them. Drivers of the vehicles have access to free electricity in certain parts of the city and free or discounted parking in London. If it's good enough for Shaq it's probably good enough for some dude named Yorrick. Press release below the jump. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5044269&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Brabus Smart ForTwo Defeats 39 Supercars, Wins Cannonball Run Europe]]> A Smart ForTwo has defeated a field of 39 supercars to win Cannonball Run Europe. The rally, which distinguishes itself from events like the Gumball 3000 with its relatively cheap entry fee of $10,000 and emphasis on a sensible average speed (in this case 61 MPH) offered the perfect opportunity for a small, fuel efficient car to win. Driver David Ward said,
"The downfall of the bigger cars was that they were forced to stop so often, so while they kept overtaking us, we eventually went past them at the next petrol station when they needed to fill up again...we kept at a decent speed and still averaged around 35 miles per gallon."
More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=400076&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Who's In That Smart Car?]]> Though it's famous for being small, the Smart Fortwo can fit more inside than you may expect. So how big of a person can you squeeze behind the wheel? Well, this best friend of the Aston-jumping Kobe Bryant seems to fit. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=399896&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Having No Back Seats Can Be Smart]]> While we know firsthand that you can fit more than two people in a Smart ForTwo, there really isn't enough room in the back to sit comfortably... or hide discreetly. Smart acknowledges this, and sees it as a good thing. After absorbing the scare tactics featured in this banned commercial, we sort of agree. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=397205&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Toyota iQ Spotted, Gary Sinise Hiding In Back Seat?]]> With gas prices the way they are, everyone's thinking about getting a car that's smart. But not everyone likes the Smart. So, for those seeking a Japanese alternative to Europe's favorite sub-subcompact, the super number one best awesome automaker from the Land of the Rising Sun has got just the car for you. These latest shots of the upcoming Toyota iQ show several passengers riding in the 3+1 seating configuration, and they actually look fairly comfortable. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=395483&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Is It Smart To Drive A Smart?]]> Living near the border between predominantly gay and urban-chic neighborhoods we've seen more than our fair share of the 2008 Smart ForTwo. People must have assumed they were safe, and the Smart ForTwo crash test results support these assumptions (as do the unofficial Smart ForTwo crash test results). But just because it's safe doesn't mean we'd want to drive one (well, maybe a Smartuki or an Ultimate 112). Putting aside safety and style, there are a few factors here to give us pause. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=390369&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[2008 Smart ForTwo IIHS Crash Test Results In, Little Tyke Did "Good"]]> Although we've already seen the NHTSA crash tests and the leaked IIHS test video, the official Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) crash test results are finally in for the 2008 Smart ForTwo. It turns out the little bugger did pretty well. IIHS awarded the micro-machine its highest rating of "Good" for front and side crash protection, and an "Acceptable" rating for seat and head restraint performance in rear-end crashes. Mounting evidence like yesterday's Smart pinball challenge and this IIHS result is proving that yes, Joe American, the ForTwo is a real car that won't crumple like a tin can in a low-speed or mid-speed crash. Full results and crash images on page two. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=390199&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Smart ForTwo Punted By Delivery Truck, Returned By Van]]> Commenter and confusion artist extraordinaire Polar has dropped a set of pictures into our lap of the ultimate expression of Smart ForTwo v. US North American roads. While sitting at an intersection, a colleague of his (he actually has a job !?) got a bit of a surprise in the back end — a very large truck was interested in occupying the same space his Smart ForTwo was in at the time. Well, we'll just let you read sir Polar's take on things: More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=389911&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Smartuki Is Donut Spinning Super ForTwo]]> Yes, we've seen the Smart ForTwo with the GSXR1000 motor dubbed the More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=388544&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[2008 Smart Fortwo IIHS Crash Film Leaks To Web]]> Thanks to the NYT, we already knew the folks at NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) noted a "safety concern" after the driver's door on the new US-Spec 2008 Smart Fortwo popped open during a side-impact crash test. Although the little Smart got a five star rating for protecting the head and chest of the dummy we just learned a lot from, the door "issue" could potentially "increase the likelihood of occupant ejection." Ouch. Well, now IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) has taken a 40 MPH run at an offset barrier in the small-yet-feels-somehow-smaller Smart for the US market. Although the video and ratings haven't yet been made public, somehow the video of the crash has made it out in to the wilds of the web. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=386055&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Smaaart ForTwo Stretched Into Moving Billboard]]> The impossible ridiculousness of this car is only matched by its utter brilliance. The nutjobs who brought us the stretched Ferrari limo have plied their craft on a decidedly less high performance automobile. They've dubbed their creation the Smaaart ForTwo (see what they did there?) and are pitching it towards soft drink makers as a moving billboard. Gee, wonder which soft drink they're aiming for. Why did they choose a Smart? Why not? [WorldCarFans] More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=378865&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Smart ForTwo Passes Crash Despite Drivers Door Opening]]> Reuters is reporting the Smart ForTwo has passed the US Government crash tests with flying colors — despite the drivers side door unlatching in a side impact crash. We're not sure if this means policymakers have determined an increased probability of passenger ejection is a positive performance attribute, or if the ForTwo performed so well in other areas as to make up for the shortcoming. We can't see any door opening action in the above video from the NHTSA crash, but that doesn't mean it didn't happen. [Reuters] video from Streetfire More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=376092&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[BRABUS SLR McLaren Roadster, Matching Smart ULTIMATE 112: Because Rich People Love Accessories]]> Like Turner and Hootch, Tango and Cash, Gary Busey and a bottle of scotch, Mercedes-tuner BRABUS has put together a winning pair for the Geneva Motor Show. This time it's a Mercedes SLR McLaren and a Smart Fortwo. The SLR McLaren gets a new white carbon fiber bodykit, 20-inch alloy wheels, special interior and an upgrade to the 5.5 Liter supercharged V8 that boots power to 650 hp and helps propel the roadster to a top speed of 211 mph. The matching Smart becomes the ULTIMATE 112, referring to the increase in power to 112 horsepower at 5,600 rpm. The Smart also gets a matching exterior treatment along with the lipstick-red BRABUS Mastik letaher interior and black Alcantara touches. Though sold separately, we think they're a steal when purchased for the package price of $1,062,000. More pics and press release below.
More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=362989&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Smart Presents New Art Project, American Apparel-esque Marketing Strategy]]> Because the Smart Fortwo is for the urban buyer, the company has sponsored an art project instead of a NASCAR team. Entitled "sideways. a smart art project," the project will include "work from the fields of photography, illustration, graphic design, painting, sculpture, architecture, styling, hairstyling and make-up... making creative statements about how we can promote greener modes of transportation." The result will be a book that'll debut at the New York International Auto Show next month for around $45.00 a copy. Some of the work we've seen isn't bad, though the above photo of the Japanese school girl birthing a Fortwo next to a phallic hopscotch court just moments before being eaten by a crocodile sort of loses us. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=356633&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[The Ten Most Outrageous Car MSRP's]]> When we asked if you could beat a $38K Accord in terms of ridiculous MSRP's, we didn't think it would be so easy. For one, you actually topped a $37,580 Accord with a $39,122 Accord Coupe. Then you were able to take the base model, entry-level cars and load them up with so many extra options that these once reasonable vehicles skyrocketed into foreign exotic territory. We have to thank our readers for the great ideas, as well as BMW and Porsche in particular for asking outrageous prices for their supposedly "cheap" models. Below are the ten worst domestic offenders. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=354900&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Playboy Names R8 Car of The Year. Plus: What's The Sexiest Volvo?]]> What does it really matter what Japanese automotive journalists think is the Japanese Car of the Year, or what the European journalists think is the European Car of the Year? Who even cars what Motor Trend says is their Car of the Year? We want to know what Playboy thinks. LBJ said it best, "So goes Playboy, so goes the nation." The venerable Audi R8 is the lad's mag's pick for this year's top ride, along with some selections in a few other random categories. The full list below the jump: More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=331843&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[The Germans Won't Out-Smart Us, Demand Too High]]> Dr. Tobias Zetsche, you blowhard! First you tell us to put down $99 deposits on your little Smart Fortwo. Then you tell us that the 30,000 deposits exceed production capacity. "Down payments are going far beyond the production capacity we have," said Zetsche, who refused to elaborate on what that actually meant. The bargain basement model will come in at $11,590 with the fully loaded versions coming in closer to $20,000. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=329933&view=rss&microfeed=true