2007 Frankfurt Auto Show: Smart ForTwo Micro Hybrid

• Competes with: Toyota Prius, Honda Civic Hybrid
• Looks like: A Smart ForTwo
• Drivetrain: 71-hp gasoline engine and electric motor
• Hits dealerships: In Europe, this October; no word on the U.S.

It’s all about green in Frankfurt, it seems — that is, besides the Lamborghinis and Bentleys on parade. Smart — which will introduce its new ForTwo in the U.S. early next year — rolled out a hybrid version of that car yesterday. It’s called the ForTwo Micro Hybrid — you know, because it’s small.

Smart sells a diesel version of the ForTwo in Europe, but because the hybrid runs on standard gasoline it has a much better chance of making it to the U.S. if the Smart launch goes well. The company is saying the hybrid will get 8% better fuel economy overall; in heavy city driving it could get up to 20% better mileage.

Smart hasn’t released EPA numbers for the ForTwo yet, but it said it will likely get a combined rating of 40 mpg. That means the Micro Hybrid would get around 43 mpg in the city and 48 mpg on the highway, at a cost of just 500 Euros more than a basic ForTwo coupe. Even at a roughly 1.4 conversion rate, that’s not a bad deal to be green … and small.

More Smart News (KickingTires)

Comments

[J]

I do not see why this would compete with Civic Hybrid or Prius.
Except it is simply cheaper, but gotta lose 3 seats and all the trunk room.

[Kyle C.]

It shouldnt compete with anything in a class really. But maybe City drivers who currently have a civic or a prius who live alone would want this because it is cheaper?

It most likely will appeal to those people.

Glad I'll never see one where I am.

[Larry L]

This is so ridiculous. A car this tiny only gets 48 mpg? And it is a hybrid? A Prius is three times the size and gets the same mileage. There is no value in this so-called Smart Car.

[David H.]

What is wrong with a car that allows you to park it just about anywhere, is the size of a motorcycle, gets decent mileage, and is made primarily for city driving? Kyle C. states he is happy not to be seeing one where he resides, Kansas? Iowa? In a large rural area I would not expect to see them, but I live in Vegas, stop and go traffic, sometimes hard to find parking, this car would be a great fit for a metropolitan area. Kyle I am sure you see motorcycles where you are, these cost no more, afford weather protection and should prove to be just as safe as a gas hawg like you are driving.

[AV]

the prius gets more than 48 mpg? more like 38

[Al Wever]

In August 2007 I visited several central European Countries. I was impressed with a number of small cars which I had not seen in the US. The one that really stood out, & was very appealing to me was the smart. I noticed it "everywhere", even on the autobahn onm one occasion, moving right along. I must admit that I wished these cars would be sold here in the US; look like I get my wish fullfilled in time. The 'Smart' is small, but not a toy! Al

[Michael R.]

Government bueaucrats claim it is unsave. But, it is safer than a motorcycle which IS allowd on our roads. This seems like conflict of interests.
The oil companies and automakers don't want a $10,000 car that gets good mileage.

We need such a car. Write your congressman

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