• 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 »

  • I'd Rather Walk, Thanks

    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 »
    Feature

    3:30 PM on Wed Oct 1 2008
    By Matt Hardigree
    9,470 views, 178 comments

    Most discussed Joe_Bloe: You know, I usually like snark. I never thought I'd get tired of snark. But this post seems like 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 »

  • cannonball run europe

    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."
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    12:20 PM on Fri Aug 8 2008
    By Wes Siler
    3,630 views, 35 comments

    Latest by Collins1: @NovaloadMissesPolar: Yes but bear in mind they were driving it flat out. Did you always drive your Renault flat out? more »

  • celebrities

    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 »

    6:00 PM on Tue Aug 5 2008
    By Mark Arnold
    5,954 views, 32 comments

    Latest by Collins1: I've noticed a pattern. American Jalopnik readers tend to assume they'll hate small cars. Baaaa. 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 »

  • toyota iq

    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 »
    Spy Photos

    1:20 PM on Mon Jun 9 2008
    By Mark Arnold
    3,603 views, 20 comments

    Latest by w1ngnut: Although the spy shot is very strange, I still think this car is pretty damn good looking. Maybe it's just 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 »