Smart is gone in a decade? Perhaps replaced by a 'super mini'?

I was on Facebook at their 'modern micro cars' group and saw a post about Mercedes Benz ending the Smart brand in a decade. The article link was to one by Car Scoops. It was titled 'Mercedes May Kill Smart Within A Decade And Make Is One Supermini'. It is an interesting article.

I think the Smart brand could have been saved if they made or put into production those concept cars that they showed off. It would have a greater appeal than the Fortwo (just my opinion).

Here is the Smart ForUs. It is longer than the Fortwo and has a simple pickup design in the back. I think it would be more appealing than the current Fortwo. In a way, it is like a Smart version of the Subaru Brat (I think the ForUs is way better looking than the Subaru Brat - just my opinion). 

I found an article on the 'super mini' that might replace the Fortwo and the Smart brand. The article is dated March 15, 2013. Perhaps the idea is being brought to the future?

Car Scoops.

I think it is a really cool looking design. I think it would be great if it was sold as the next Smart Fortwo. It looks safer than the current Fortwo model (the current model is safe but so many think it isn't just because of its small size). 

Of course I will also include my pet peeve with Smart. I think it was a mistake to not bring the Forfour and the Forfour with AWD to the USA. I think it would have a great appeal in the that category of car; one that is greater than the appeal of a two seat two door car. I think that segment of the car market is crowded (the reason it never came to the USA - per Smart) is there are more looking for that category of car (which is - IMO - why cars companies are making them).

TomLeeM

Items With My Art On Them. 

Smart Forease?

Smart Madness reported on their Facebook page that there is a new Smart coming.

It is called the Forease. It seems to be a concept car. I think Smart would do better if they put their concept vehicles into production. I think they are way cooler than the current and cute Fortwo. I will post photos of their other concepts in a separate blog. Once you see them, you will realize that Smart was not very smart since they did not put them into production; even as electric cars (making only electric cars available only in the USA is also a mistake - in my opinion - since the electric version does not have the range most Americans need - but that is another blog).

Car and Driver has an article on it. They indicate it is a concept car. They indicate it is based on the current electric Fortwo. Perhaps this is an indication that it could be made?

It seems Smart is celebrating their 20th anniversary of the Fortwo with a song?

New Atlas has an interesting article on it.

Motor 1 has an article on it. It indicates it is a concept car. They have some great photos(? - more like drawings / conceptual art) of it. I am posting some of the photos here.

I think these photos show as the cutest roadster ever.

I think it would perform better with a hydrogen fuel cell. There are companies that make them for automobiles. There is one company called Intelligent Energy that makes them of different sizes. They have a section on their site for ones used in cars; automotive.

(photo from the Intelligent Energy site)

I think a fuel cell would give the extra range an electric vehicle would need to compete with gas powered vehicles and have similar times to refuel. 

I believe there are other companies that also make fuel cells for cars. List of fuel cell companies - Wikipedia. 

I think it would be neat to try the engine from Liquid Piston in a Smart; like the newer ones and concept ones. I think it could be used as a hybrid Smart; where the LP engine would operate a generator with in wheel hub electric motors.. The engine from LP can run on a variety of fuels; bio-fuels, hydrogen, etc.

My Art On Cafe Press.

Big Goofy Guy

(personal site still down)

Smart Car With Camper?

I have been searching the internet for really small campers; one that can be towed by a Smart car or other similar sized vehicles; aka, modern micro cars. I have found a few. 

I came across this one and am looking for information on it. I have not found a lot of information for it. I saved it to my computer but now I don't remember where I downloaded it from. Now I am not even sure if it is a camper but it is neat and I do want to learn more about it. I am still searching. 

 I found this online. I think it is neat. I am looking for a camper that can be towed by a Smart (or other similarly sized vehicle [since I might be buying a similar sized vehicle to replace my Smart but it won't be a Smart since it seems Smart is abandoning the US market]). 

This seems to be the same trailer but being towed by a motorcycle. Perhaps this makes it light weight enough for a small car to tow? 

I wish I had a better higher density photo so I can zoom in and find the information that is listed on it. 

There was a Smart camper company but their web site seems to be gone. It was called Smart Camper. It looked really nice. 

Big Goofy Guy

My Art Store

Smart - Tera? Part Aptera and Part Smart Fortwo?

I was doing a web search (usually using Google sometimes Bing) and came across this. I was checking out if there was anything being done with the Aptera. In the search for it, I came across this photo shopped design that combines the Smart Fortwo and the Aptera. I call it the Smart-Tera. The site I found it at was a Pins Daddy online article. I realize it exists only in a computer but I think it would be really cool if they did make it; even if it is just an electric vehicle (cooler if it was a fuel cell electric vehicle).

I think the Aptera is really cool but it never seemed to have anything done with it. I read that a Chinese company bought it and was going to make both an electric version and a gas version. I was dong the search to find out if it was dropped or there was work done on it. Wikipedia - Aptera Motors. 

The Smart Fortwo is a two seat two door car. I really like the design and how well it is built. Wikipedia - Smart.  The little car is very maneuverable, fun to drive (IMO) and good on gas (for a non-hybrid car). It is an excellent commuter car and city car (IMO). I think it is a mistake for Smart to only sell the ED in the USA and Canada but that is a rant / pet peeve for another post (perhaps future one and definitely a past one).

Smart Car Of America

a great resource for all things Smart

Big Goofy Guy

a site about me.

My Art On Things For Sale

not art for hanging on wall but on items that one can use

practical art? 

Possible Future Smart ED? (perhaps not but still cool).

I have online articles about Mercedes Benz investing money (a lot of it) into making a compact electric car in France (more compact than modern micro but still small).

There is probably a very slim chance of this becoming a new future Smart Fortwo ED but one can dream. I think this would be of greater appeal to Americans since most like the bigger vehicles (which is why Ford [and maybe GM] is dropping most small cars - with the exception of the Mustang and Focus - but that is another blog for another day).

Online Articles (some not all).

ElecTrek. 

I think it looks really cool. It will be made in France, like the Smart Fortwo ED. Is it a coincidence or an indication of a future Fortwo ED? I think it would have a great appeal since it is bigger than the Smart car which could give it a feeling of being safer (perceptions can be everything). 

ElecTrek - batteries

I wonder if it is a coincidence that they are investing in a future electric car and also investing in a battery factory? Hopefully it would give the car above (and possibly the Smart ED a bigger range and/or reduce costs since they are making it). 

CNBC

I think investing in a company that makes fast charging batteries is a good idea. I think a downside to electric vehicles is the length of time to charge the batteries. 

Media Daimler.

This is (IIRC) their official site on this.

(photos from the ElecTrek site

Mercedes Benz USA.

Big Goofy Guy

My Art Store.

Another Mistake By Smart; Not Bringing the Forfour To America

It seems Smart will only be selling the electric Fortwo in the USA and Canada. Because of this, many Smart Centers have closed. I guess this was done since France is working toward not selling electric cars after 2040. I think it is a mistake since the Fortwo ED does not have a great range and has a high price when compared to the gas powered version or other electric cars.

I think it would have been great if the Fortwo ED was a fuel cell battery vehicle. Refueling would be faster and have a farther range. Fuel cells exhaust has only water vapor. I consider it very green and way cool. Fuel cell has have made some advancements. They are smaller and provide more power. There are advancements in hydrogen production and storage.

Auto Blog - Should Smart Bring The Forfour To The USA

Forfour - side

Forfour - back

Forfour - front

Forfour - back seat / inside

Forfour - 

(photos taken from the article / link above)

I think the Forfour would have a great appeal to many, more than the Fortwo. Smart has said that the market for this category of vehicle is crowded. I think it is crowded since many find it more appealing, especially when compared to the Fortwo. There was even a SUV version of the Forfour. I think this would have even a greater appeal; especially where 4 wheel drive would be useful in mud and snow.

I wish they had not made a new roadster but also had brought it to the USA. It is for another post (perhaps this is not my last after all).

I realize the previous post was supposed to be my last for this blog but (hopefully) this will be last (or next to last).

Big Goofy Guy

This is very similar to my 2012 Smart Fortwo Passion.

It will be the last one I will own unless Smart changes their minds

about bringing the gas powered Fortwo, Fortfour and Roadster

to the USA and Canada.

Smart Car Owner of America.

TomLeeM - Cafe Press

Smart Cars Are Still Cool But No Longer For Me

I will always think the Smart Fortwo is cool but it is no longer for me. I love driving my little car but it lacks a back seat, it has smaller tires in front than in back, it has no spare tire among other things. It does have a lot of room inside for such a small car. It has short turning radius. It was a lot of fun to drive.

Ever since Mercedes Benz decided to no longer sell the gas powered Fortwo in the USA and Canada and the Smart ED does not have a lot of range, I realized I would have to get a different small car. I am into small; cars, computers, houses, etc. The ED only has a range of about 120 miles per charge. The cost of the ED is more than I want to pay for a car.

Smart also decided to not sell the Forfive or the SUV version of the Forfive in the USA. I think the Forfive would have a great appeal than the Fortwo since most want a back seat.

I had a 2008 Smart Fortwo Passion. It was blue with a silver tridon. I had ordered it in July of 2007. I picked it up in March of 2008. I ordered it with the minimum of accessories. I was also paying for my parents car at the same time so I wanted the minimum payments. It was the first car I ordered online. It might be the last.

I traded it in for a 2012 Smart Fortwo Passion. It was black with a silver tridon. It had all the features I did not have in the 2008. It had AC, powered windows, heated seats, and a radio. It came in black; it was what they had. I almost did not get it since I had trouble with financing but it was resolved.

I am glad there are other small cars available that are still gas powered. Ones like the Mini Cooper and the Fiat 500. There are some being worked on; like the Elio, Nobe and Eleca.

This could be my last blog on the 'Smart Cars Are Cool' blog. I have others to keep me busy.

Smart USA

Big Goofy Guy

Cafe Press TomLeeM Store.

CEstar Smart? from China?

I found an article at Car News China on a car called CEstar Smart. It seems to be the only one that was made and its current location is unknown.

I have a feeling it is based on the Chinese 'smart' car instead of the Smart Fortwo that is made in France.

this photo is from the article site. From what I can see, it looks really cool. It would be great to see it from a side view but I have not found one, yet (still looking).

Here is the seating and steering column. It does not seem like a Smart Fortwo but it could be a Chinese copy of the Smart. 

This looks like the dash. The article indicates it is electric. It is a cool design for an electric car. 

There does not seem to have any information at the All Car Index site.

There is a little bit of information on Pinterest. 

There seems to be some information on it at Solar Feeds. 

It would be neat to find more information on this neat little car. 

I wonder if one could take the Smart Fortwo ED (or even the gas powered version?) and create something like the CEStar Smart? Perhaps give it more room for bigger people? One article indicates it might be suitable for Chinese people who are supposedly not so tall (like many from non-Asian countries). 

Big Goofy Guy

TomLeeM - art store

Aquarius Powered Smart Hybrid?

I ran across an article that mentions an engine that seems small, and gets good miles per gallon. The engine is by Aquarius Engines. I read that it is an Israel company.

Next Big Future has an article on it.  It is described as a light and simple engine. 'Nextbigfuture notes that there are many other substantial niches for a super-efficient, light, simple and cheap engine.' - I agree with them on that, I think it has potential. It indicates it can be used as a range extender and it has great miles per gallon. I think that is really good since I think electric vehicles don't have the range and charging time to compete or replace the gas powered vehicles. 

Here is the Aquarius engine. 

 Both the photo above and below are from the article / site. 

Since he is holding it up, it seems it is a light weight engine. 

Aquarius Engines - Facebook

YouTube - Smaller engine -- an answer to car pollution?

Aquarius Engines. 

Here it is used as a generator. I think it could produce a lot of power for not much fuel. The article indicates it could reduce the 'carbon footprint' since it does really well with the amount it uses; or amount it doesn't use and how long it uses it. 

Here it is used in vehicles. It seems to be a good platform for hybrids where one can build a body for it to fit ones needs or wants. I think it has potential. With Local Motors being able to print a body, one could truly create an unique body for it. 

BBC article Local Motors.

I think it could make the Smart ED even better by making it a hybrid vehicle. As a hybrid, the Smart would have the range of a gas vehicle but with a really good miles per gallon since it uses gas so sparingly. It would make repair simpler since it has fewer parts. 

Smart USA - Pure ED, Passion ED, Prime ED, 

Passion Cabrio ED, Prime Cabrio ED

TomLeeM at Cafe Press

Big Goofy Guy

New Smart Roadster In The Planning?

There is a website that is in a language I don't read. I was able to find a way to have it translated into English. The original web site is by MB Passion. The translation is by Google Translate with this being the result; MB Passion (translated into English).

The article is 2011 so I doubt it will happen but it would be nice if it did.

With France going electric by 2040 and Smart only selling electric Fortwo's in Canada and the USA (perhaps Europe eventually), why not make an electric roadster? With the newer batteries and electric motors, the range could be great and one could drive in style while looking great in it.

It seems someone has the idea of an electric Smart Roadster. Smart Roadster - Conversion To Electric Car.  YouTube - Smart Roadster EV Conversion First Drive . YouTube - Smart Roadster EV Conversion First Drive.


Since I am discussing an electric roadster, why not an electric Forfour? It might be added to other electric four door four passenger cars in the market but that market has more appeal to buyers. I believe it has more appeal to buyers to have more seats and more doors. Just my opinion and my chance to 'voice it'.

this looks almost exactly like the Smart Fortwo Passion that I have. 

I call my Smart Fortwo Herb. It is a shortened version of the name Herbie the VW Beetle in the Disney movie The Love Bug. Both the air cooled VW Beetle and the Smart Fortwo are rear engine and rear wheel drive vehicles. The Fortwo is smaller than the Beetle; hence, the smaller name. 

Here is an outline of the 451 Smart Fortwo.  One could use it as the basis for kit cars with the outline being used to draw what other could look like with it as the platform / donor vehicle. 

USA Smart 

Big Goofy Guy

My Art On Items at Cafe Press

New Lancia Stratos Using Smart Fortwo Parts?

I saw a site that indicates a new Lancia Stratos. The site is called New Stratos. The car looks really nice. Unfortunately, there does not seem to be a lot of activity there. It seems - per an article by Jalopnik - that Ferrari is blocking it since the new one is supposed to be based on a frame from them. The new Stratos is supposed to have a limited run.

a photo from the New Stratos site. 

I think the Smart Fortwo would be a great basis / donor car for a new Stratos. The Smart Fortwo has a dual clutch (with newer Smarts having a full manual transmission) and is a rear wheel drive rear engine configuration. This is similar to what the Stratos has. One could use a different engine - perhaps a compact one like from Liquid Piston that has horsepower with a smaller size - since Smart seems to going all electric (since it is made in France and will only sell electric vehicles there by 2040). 

Here is an outline of the Fortwo. There is a vent behind the door that scoops air to the engine in back. It is also where the transmission is. The radiator is in front. 

Here is the rotary engine by Liquid Piston. It seems to be a more successful rotary engine. If one can no longer get the three cylinder engine from Smart, this could - in my opinion even though I know only what I have read about it - an alternative to power it. 

Here is a photo that shows the engine being in back.

Perhaps if one could use the engine and transmission from the Smart ED, perhaps one could create an electric Stratos? The Smart ED has a range of 120 miles per charge (from the Smart ED web site). If the new Stratos is lighter in weight than the Smart ED, the range could be longer. 

As the Michalak C7 was based on a Smart Fortwo - not just the engine but also other parts like the frame, perhaps the new Stratos could also. They would not have to worry about Ferrari not approving it and it might be lower in price since there are more Smart cars. 

Even though the end result could be a car that I could not afford, I hope someone - preferably with means - sees this blog and considers doing so. It could bring back a really cool little car. 

This is just me thinking out loud. 

Big Goofy Guy

my much improved site

not perfect but still better than before

My Art Store at Cafe Press

still needs work but has some nice items that has my artwork on

that one can order/buy.