We (the USA) get Smart

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This is the Smart Fortwo, a two-seater, as the more ingenious would have already deduced. It’s made by Daimler (the people who brought us Mercedes-Benz and who recently divorced Chrysler), and after some protracted ‘will it or won’t it?’ history, the Smart is coming to America in 2008.

Power comes from a tiny, rear-mounted 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine, turbocharged to produce 71 horsepower, enough to reach 92 mph or more. But it’s good for 40 mpg. The Smart has a rigid ‘tridion’ safety cell beneath its plastic-and-aluminum skin, thereby addressing the crashworthiness concerns of many potential American customers.

And how many customers could there be? Smart reckons on selling 20,000 a year. Not unrealistic. Its sub-$14,000 sticker price will make it attractive to college students and commuters alike, although competition from ‘real’ small cars -- like the Toyota Yaris -- will be tough. The Smart needs some smart marketing to position it as an emotional buy -- a cool, must-have accessory -- rather than practical, everyday transport. Initial buyers will be ‘early adopters,’ so let’s hope an iPhone cradle is on the options list.

Given that its wheelbase is not far off that of a motor scooter (the car is about 3 feet shorter than a Mini), the Smart makes a lot of sense in cities, especially where parking is an issue. Denizens of London, Paris and Rome have already appreciated the car’s bijou proportions. But how far beyond American city limits the Smart’s appeal will stretch remains to be seen. There are only so many early adopters, metrosexuals and inept-but-lovable secret agents to go round.

-- Colin Ryan