The Smart comes to America

[Toronto]

Dodge just said they will make the SlingShot based on the smart for the north american market.

http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/Projects/c2c/channel/images/23620_35956_381_253_dodge_slingshot_concept.jpg

what do u think?

[stradale]

It looks like a Smart Roadster with 350Z headlights to me. I'm not complaining though, it looks better than the Smart Roadster we have over here. The air intakes in the front and the wheels aren't an improvement IMO.

At first I thought this topic was about the City coupé and I was wondering what the hell they were thinking bringing that to America! LOL

[AlienDB7]

I believe the dodge slingshot actually has a bigger engine. Without the painted safety cage, it actually looks better than the Smart coupe. Let's hope the price is right and it'll be fun to drive.. wonder if the new engine means there'll be a better gearbox?

[HeilSvenska]

it actually looks better than the Smart coupe.


Do you mean the City coupé or the longer coupé?

Besides, part of owning a Smart is that it looks absolutely funky and insane(in a good way). Dodge just make it boring.

And what's up with all these synergies?
Why does Dodge jump in when Mitsubishi is planning its own version of the Smart?
I'd take any Smart City Coupé or Smart Roadster/Coupé over Mitsu or Dodge any day.

[BACR]

god i love the shape but dont like the price tag of teh new souped up one 300 thousand pounds who the hells gona buy that

[redbaron]

Will it be as slow as the coupe too? That car is really slow and the gearbox is even slower... 0-60mph is counted with a calender, so don't expect a fast car.

[RallyeNLD]

it actually looks better than the Smart coupe.


Do you mean the City coupé or the longer coupé?

Besides, part of owning a Smart is that it looks absolutely funky and insane(in a good way). Dodge just make it boring.

And what's up with all these synergies?
Why does Dodge jump in when Mitsubishi is planning its own version of the Smart?
I'd take any Smart City Coupé or Smart Roadster/Coupé over Mitsu or Dodge any day.

a smart coupe looks funky doesn't. Although a city coupe is indeed deadslow, it just is fun to drive. Nibble engine sound from the back, its hillarious. Must soon testdrive a roadster.

[Toronto]

god i love the shape but dont like the price tag of teh new souped up one 300 thousand pounds who the hells gona buy that
that is not for sale it was just really to show off what they can do.


here are the concept specs

Efficient, Responsive and Fun to Drive – Genuine Dodge Character
Rear-mounted, 3-cylinder, gasoline engine delivers 100 bhp
0-60 mph time of about 10 seconds, due to power to weight ratio of 17.4 lbs/bhp
Five-speed gearbox, rack-and-pinion steering, four-wheel independent suspension - and four-wheel disc brakes
Fuel efficiency of up to 45 mpg

http://www.pistonheads.com/doc.asp?c=134&i=7814
here for more info and pics

[SamuraiGti]

This is the city coupé in here.
http://www.edmunds.com/media/editorial/viewpoints/smart/smart.350.jpg

And this is the Smart Roadster here.
http://www.cardesignnews.com/autoshows/2002/paris/highlights/images/smart-roadster0304s.jpg
http://images.usatoday.com/money/gallery/2002-09-26-paris-auto-show/smart-coupe.jpg
http://www.cardesignnews.com/autoshows/2002/paris/highlights/images/smart-roadster0644s.jpg

The back looks like an S2000.

[hemi_fan]

I thought it was the City Coupe also, I was kinda hoping it was so me and my friends could go around tipping them over on weekends. lol

[FerrariKiller]

Screw the Smart, let's bring back the Gremlin

[coloradosilver]

The Pacer Baby!! The Pacer had to be one of the biggest POS that I've ever seen. But I's still drive one of those before a smart car.

[RC45]

LOL - bring that "little spec" on to Texas - if they don't get squashed by an SUV at the first traffic light they pull up to - they will get sucked into the vortex left behind by a speeding crew-cab duallie pickup truck... ;)

All these hyper-econo boxes are worth shit when it comes to commuting in large spread out cities like Houston.

I have entertained a couple of European friends as visitors over the 9 years I have been here - and each one was amazed at the fact that on any given day a 120 mile commute is nothing... and that including weekend driving and corss-city hopping it not unusual for a person to travel 750 miles a week, and never leave the city limits.

That being said, spending time in a Civic or Focus or Corolla on the freeway is daunting enough, why subject yourself to 50mph in traffic in a "little tupperware box" like the Smart Coupe... ;)

[coloradosilver]

I agree with RC45. Having those cars on the road in the US would just be a safety hazard. With all of the SUVs and other large cars and trucks out there. They wouldn't be seen very well and get hit all the time. Shit, if I had a big old pick-up with a cattle guard I'd go out looking for these things when they're parked just to push them around a little.

[RC45]

Shit, if I had a big old pick-up with a cattle guard I'd go out looking for these things when they're parked just to push them around a little.

LOL - I still wanna get an old 1970 "work" Cadillac -- for this very reason... ;)

[WhiteP]

I really don't mind having this Dodge :D

I always like nimble handling little car....