My First Ride in a Smart Car

As some of you know, I put down a deposit on a Smart Car several months ago.  The Smart Car is coming to the U.S.A. early next year, after nine years in Europe and other countries around the world (apparently, we aren't first in everything).  I fell in love with these cars on trips to France and Italy and have wanted one ever since. 

The smartusa folks have been on a tour with the cars around the country and I was invited to the San Jose stop.  They had three cars to drive, all European versions.  The U.S version will have slightly more power when it arrives.  I arrived a little before my time slot and got in line (about 15 people were ahead of me).  It was very much like a ride at Disneyland:  standing in a serpentine line with cars arriving every so often.  Then drivers would get out and new drivers would get in.  Then about five minutes of circulation and the ride was over.  I was tempted to get back in line after my drive.

The Smart Car name is normally shown in all lower case by the manufacturer but I have capitalized it here to make it a little easier to read.  The Smart Car was originally a joint venture between Swatch (yes, the watch company) and Mercedes Benz and the name 'smart' is an acronym for Swatch Mercedes ART.  Swatch has since dropped out of the project but Mercedes continues to be the manufacturer; albeit, Smart Cars are built in France.  The body panels are some type of plastic and are replacable with other colors and even panels with artistic designs.  The engine is a one liter three cylinder with about 71 HP.  Dry weight is around 1650 lbs.  Top speed is electronically limited to 90 MPH.  The demo guys said they had been averaging in the high 40 miles per gallon.  There are three models:  Pure, Passion, and Passion Cabrio (convertible) and prices are roughly $12K, $14K, and $17K.   

The transmission is the most interesting part of the drive train.  It is a five speed manual with an electically operated clutch.  There is no clutch pedal.  When you come to a stop, the transmission shifts into first gear and the clutch disengages.  When you step on the gas, the clutch engages.  It can also be put in a mode that shifts automatically but it is still a manual transmission because it has a clutch and not a torque converter.  You can manually shift with either the floor mounted shifter or paddle shifters on the steering wheel.  For the floor shifter, flick it forward to upshift and back to downshift.  Using the paddles, right paddle upshifts and left paddle downshifts - just like a Ferrari ;-)  I used the paddles but the turn signal got in the way of my fingers when using the left paddle; I'll have to practice my technique.

Anyway, I got to the front of the line, took my spin around the neighborhood, and was back in a flash.  On the route they made me drive, I couldn't get up to 40 mph and I was in second gear most of the time.  But it was still a lot of fun.  Unfortunately, I have to wait about six months before I have one of my very own.  I have ordered a Red Passion Cabrio with Black frame trim.  Anybody who wants a ride can stop by - one at a time.

My video is a little shaky; I need to practice my technique.  But you should be able to get the idea.