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how Smart?
Here are the statistics from the official SMARTUSA website; which seem to suggest my '91 Festiva 5-speed gets better gas mileage; and weighs less, than the new two-seat Smart Car.(?)
I've looked at a couple of these close up, and am surprised if accurate that they are no more efficient than claimed. They are certainly a good deal smaller.(even though weighing more than my Festiva; apparently?)
I'd been thinking that if certain limits were made for the manufacture of cars; that they could perform much the same duties and yet with a huge reduction in expenses of production, operation and infrastructure.
What would a top speed of 55 mph combined with a top weight of a thousand pounds and a limit of 600cc produce, for instance? The need for substantial crash resistance would be reduced if most vehicles were smaller, and the demands for maintenance of roadways would lessen, not to mention full consumption growing less and longevity increasing if reasonable production standards were used.
Imagine a top speed of 35 mph, a 500 pound weight limit and 250cc engine limit; and/or whatever might make use of solar powered road craft feasible?
Whose imagination is so conditioned to the status quo to deny the obvious, even to the end of such powers like the big three; who've so consistently shown their commitment to the largest, most inefficient of vehicles; and have influenced many other producers to follow this lead?(purchase of which seems to this source, to confirm a desire to see mobility the province of a favored few; rather than one prerogative of the majority...)
post script: pain in the you know what department. I'm consistently dumbfounded as to how to disable the "smilie" function, which is obvious in this post. Why is this so difficult at this website, when at others there is a simple selection at the bottom of the page when a post is made, which enables them to be disabled?(I think I've succeeded once here at this, but which was so confusing I've never been able to duplicate my feat)
Technical Data smart fortwo 52 kW
Engine
Displacement 1 liter / 61 cu inch
Number of cylinders/ configuration three in-line
Engine block/cylinder head aluminium
Valves four per cylinder
Engine capacity 61 cubic inch
Bore x stroke 2.83 x 3.22 inches
Rated output 70 hp @ 5800 rpms
Max. torque 68 lb ft @ 4500
Oil 3.5 qt (incl. filter)
Coolant
4.5 qt
Fuel delivery
electronic multipoint injection
Recommended fuel premium unleaded gasoline (min 91 octane)
Federal emissions BIN5 / ULEV (Cal.)
Power transmission
Clutch single-plate dry clutch
Transmission automated manual five-speed Transmission
Gear ratios: 1st (3.308)
2nd (1.913)
3rd (1.258)
4th (0.943)
5th (0.707)
Reverse (3.231)
Final drive (4.529)
Running gear
Front axle suspension lower wishbone, McPherson strut, anti-roll bar
Rear axle suspension DeDion axle, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers
Brake system dual-circuit brake system with tandem servo assistance
11 inch diameter disc brakes at front
8 inch diameter drum brakes at rear
electronic stability program (esp) with hill start assist
anti-lock braking system (abs) with electronic brake-force distribution, traction control system, electronic brake assist
Steering
rack-and-pinion steering
Wheels and tires (front/rear)
pure: steel, with wheel covers
passion: aluminium wheels
all-season tires on both models 155/60R15 on 4.5Jx15 (front),
175/55R15 on 5.5Jx15 (rear)
Dimensions and weights
Wheelbase 73.5 inches
Track width front/rear 50.51 inches/54.53 inches
Length 106.1 inches
Width 61.38 inches
Height 60.71 inches
Headroom 39.7 inches
Legroom 41.2 inches
Shoulder room 48 inches
Hip room 45.4 inches
Passenger volume 45.4 cu. ft.
Turning circle 28.7 ft
Luggage compartment capacity 7.8 (up to beltline)/12 (to roof) cu. ft.
ECE weight without driver 1,808 lbs (cabriolet: 1,852 lbs)
ECE Payload 507 lbs (cabriolet: 463 lbs)
ECE permissible maximum weight 2,315 lbs
Fuel tank capacity (reserve) 8.7 gal (includes 1.3 gal reserve)
Performance
Maximum speed 90 mph
Acceleration 0–60 mph 12.8 sec
Fuel consumption*
City/highway (mpg) 33/41 (EPA 2008)
*Fuel economy estimates were derived in accordance with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) vehicle testing procedures for model year 2008 as specified in 40 C.F.R. pts. 86 and 600 (2007). These estimates are intended for comparison between other vehicles within the same class. Individual drivers’ actual mileage will vary depending on how they drive and maintain their vehicles.
I've looked at a couple of these close up, and am surprised if accurate that they are no more efficient than claimed. They are certainly a good deal smaller.(even though weighing more than my Festiva; apparently?)
I'd been thinking that if certain limits were made for the manufacture of cars; that they could perform much the same duties and yet with a huge reduction in expenses of production, operation and infrastructure.
What would a top speed of 55 mph combined with a top weight of a thousand pounds and a limit of 600cc produce, for instance? The need for substantial crash resistance would be reduced if most vehicles were smaller, and the demands for maintenance of roadways would lessen, not to mention full consumption growing less and longevity increasing if reasonable production standards were used.
Imagine a top speed of 35 mph, a 500 pound weight limit and 250cc engine limit; and/or whatever might make use of solar powered road craft feasible?
Whose imagination is so conditioned to the status quo to deny the obvious, even to the end of such powers like the big three; who've so consistently shown their commitment to the largest, most inefficient of vehicles; and have influenced many other producers to follow this lead?(purchase of which seems to this source, to confirm a desire to see mobility the province of a favored few; rather than one prerogative of the majority...)
post script: pain in the you know what department. I'm consistently dumbfounded as to how to disable the "smilie" function, which is obvious in this post. Why is this so difficult at this website, when at others there is a simple selection at the bottom of the page when a post is made, which enables them to be disabled?(I think I've succeeded once here at this, but which was so confusing I've never been able to duplicate my feat)
Technical Data smart fortwo 52 kW
Engine
Displacement 1 liter / 61 cu inch
Number of cylinders/ configuration three in-line
Engine block/cylinder head aluminium
Valves four per cylinder
Engine capacity 61 cubic inch
Bore x stroke 2.83 x 3.22 inches
Rated output 70 hp @ 5800 rpms
Max. torque 68 lb ft @ 4500
Oil 3.5 qt (incl. filter)
Coolant
4.5 qt
Fuel delivery
electronic multipoint injection
Recommended fuel premium unleaded gasoline (min 91 octane)
Federal emissions BIN5 / ULEV (Cal.)
Power transmission
Clutch single-plate dry clutch
Transmission automated manual five-speed Transmission
Gear ratios: 1st (3.308)
2nd (1.913)
3rd (1.258)
4th (0.943)
5th (0.707)
Reverse (3.231)
Final drive (4.529)
Running gear
Front axle suspension lower wishbone, McPherson strut, anti-roll bar
Rear axle suspension DeDion axle, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers
Brake system dual-circuit brake system with tandem servo assistance
11 inch diameter disc brakes at front
8 inch diameter drum brakes at rear
electronic stability program (esp) with hill start assist
anti-lock braking system (abs) with electronic brake-force distribution, traction control system, electronic brake assist
Steering
rack-and-pinion steering
Wheels and tires (front/rear)
pure: steel, with wheel covers
passion: aluminium wheels
all-season tires on both models 155/60R15 on 4.5Jx15 (front),
175/55R15 on 5.5Jx15 (rear)
Dimensions and weights
Wheelbase 73.5 inches
Track width front/rear 50.51 inches/54.53 inches
Length 106.1 inches
Width 61.38 inches
Height 60.71 inches
Headroom 39.7 inches
Legroom 41.2 inches
Shoulder room 48 inches
Hip room 45.4 inches
Passenger volume 45.4 cu. ft.
Turning circle 28.7 ft
Luggage compartment capacity 7.8 (up to beltline)/12 (to roof) cu. ft.
ECE weight without driver 1,808 lbs (cabriolet: 1,852 lbs)
ECE Payload 507 lbs (cabriolet: 463 lbs)
ECE permissible maximum weight 2,315 lbs
Fuel tank capacity (reserve) 8.7 gal (includes 1.3 gal reserve)
Performance
Maximum speed 90 mph
Acceleration 0–60 mph 12.8 sec
Fuel consumption*
City/highway (mpg) 33/41 (EPA 2008)
*Fuel economy estimates were derived in accordance with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) vehicle testing procedures for model year 2008 as specified in 40 C.F.R. pts. 86 and 600 (2007). These estimates are intended for comparison between other vehicles within the same class. Individual drivers’ actual mileage will vary depending on how they drive and maintain their vehicles.
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