• la auto show

    2009 Green Car Of The Year Finalists Announced

    What's a dog-and-pony show without some kind of award? At this year's LA Auto Show they'll be awarding Green Car Journal's fourth Green Car of the Year Award to one of five finalists. The competitors this year are the yet-to-be-unveiled 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid, the BMW 335d, Saturn Vue 2-Mode Hybrid, Smart Fortwo and Volkswagen Jetta TDI. The winner will be announced at a November 20th press conference, and we know which one we'll be pulling for - the 2010 Ford Mustang. Complete details, if you're into that kind of thing, below. More »

    2:40 PM on Thu Oct 30 2008
    By Ben Wojdyla
    2,811 views, 32 comments

    Most discussed Mad_Science: That's it. I'm staring my own publication so people will give me stuff to evaluate in hopes of winning my more »

  • smart fortwo

    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.

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    11:00 AM on Thu Oct 23 2008
    By Wes Siler
    1,455 views, 21 comments

    Most discussed nick2ny: nice ice skating picture! wtf! more »

  • smart fortwo

    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.

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    3:40 PM on Mon Oct 13 2008
    By Mark Arnold
    2,157 views, 37 comments

    Most discussed Cognitive_Friction: "Lorinser Smart ForTwo Turbo Is Fun Until Your Friends Find Out" So it's the fat chick of small cars? more »

  • alternative energy

    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.

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    11:15 AM on Tue Sep 2 2008
    By Matt Hardigree
    1,044 views, 10 comments

    Latest by NovaloadMissesPolar: This will be kicked and dribbled like a soccer ball! more »

  • ad watch

    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.
    [via LiveLeak] Hat Tip to Dan!

    3:30 PM on Thu Jun 26 2008
    By Mark Arnold
    3,565 views, 40 comments

    Latest by boost_me: I dont wanna get in my car now..... more »

  • question of the day

    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 »

    11:40 AM on Wed May 14 2008
    By Matt Hardigree
    3,819 views, 119 comments

    Latest by volksdragon: I'd find an old CRX HF. and strip off the exterior mirrors and stick them inside. rip out everything to more »

  • smart fortwo crash test

    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.

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    12:01 AM on Wed May 14 2008
    By Ben Wojdyla
    4,930 views, 56 comments

    Latest by crazydave_w: EPA: Smartfortwo: City - 33mpg Highway - 41mpg Toyota Yaris sedan: City- 34mpg Highway - 39mpg more »

  • accidents

    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:

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    11:20 AM on Tue May 13 2008
    By Ben Wojdyla
    11,108 views, 115 comments

    Most discussed LandofMinos, Don't you fucking look at me!: Maybe this will change your mind about how safe is a Smart Car... I really am a bit iffy about sending more »

  • novelties

    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]

    3:00 PM on Fri Apr 11 2008
    By Ben Wojdyla
    2,136 views, 30 comments

    Latest by LandofMinos, Don't you fucking look at me!: I bet The Stig could make that drift. more »

  • news

    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

    2:40 PM on Fri Apr 4 2008
    By Ben Wojdyla
    3,033 views, 39 comments

    Latest by sho220: @darex: I've just got to ask...how would driving that thing be fun? Convenient? Yes. Fun? No. Lotus Elise? Fun. Smart more »