• 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 »

  • concept cars

    Gordon Murray's T25 City Car Revealed... Sort Of

    This is the first time we've seen the T25 city car from Gordon Murray Design in three dimensions, though we still can't really tell what it will look like, since it's been neatly wrapped up in a shiny package. It's no secret that Murray, the man behind the legendary McLaren F1, has been obsessed with creating a revolutionary micro car. Planned as a 2012 model, the T25 is clearly a return to a car that's truly small as it's comparable in size to a classic Mini or Fiat 500. By comparison, the modern BMW Mini and new Fiat 500 look absolutely massive. We'd be interested to see it parked next to a Smart ForTwo. More from the mastermind himself after the jump.

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    6:00 PM on Tue Oct 14 2008
    By Mark Arnold
    2,419 views, 29 comments

    Most discussed Nurburgringer: Too bad "Putting the fun back into driving." is all the way down on the list. Murray always liked the 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 »

  • paris motor show

    Already-Revealed Electric Smart Revealed At Paris Motor Show

    At the end of 2007, Smart leased 100 smart twofours equipped with electric drive in London for a pilot project to gain real-world experience with electric drive. But here, at the Paris Motor Show, is the first time Smart's brought it to the auto show stage. So, here it is — an electric drive Smart fourtwo that's almost commonplace on the streets of London revealed at an auto show for the first time. How's THAT for an exclusive? Hit the jump for the full press release and a picture describing how the electric drive works. If you think it looks familiar, it should — it's basically the same way the electric drive on a golf cart works. Heck, it's about the same size. More »
    Feature

    9:20 AM on Thu Oct 2 2008
    By Ben Wojdyla
    1,001 views, 18 comments

    Most discussed layabout: I'd never get in a Smart car,way too dangerous in a crash. + Watch video 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 »

  • 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 »

  • 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 »