OT: Video of Smart Car hitting cement at 70 mph

Coursedesign wrote on 1/13/2009, 10:41 AM
This video shows multi-angle footage of a Smart Car being accelerated to 70 mph (112km/h) and then smacked into a cement barrier...

This is a car "the size of a tin of beans" as the wacky shooters put it.

What's amazing about this crash? The front end is completely crushed and totally flattened like by a car compactor, but the crash cage is still intact, the doors open on both sides, and there is virtually no damage visible from the rear.

(This car is now selling in the U.S., but I think its only other advantage is being able to park two in one parking spot. Surprisingly, the gas mileage isn't even close to the mid-sized and very roomy Prius, and the Smart Car has a pretty loud engine noise while the Prius is very quiet, or completely silent in "stealth propulsion mode.")

Comments

rmack350 wrote on 1/13/2009, 11:20 AM
It's a great little inner city car because it's so easy to find a parking spot, but they give me the shudders when I see them on the highway.

Here in SF you'd be lucky to get a car above 30 MPH so I'd be more worried about side impacts from buses and taxis.

Rob
Larry Clifford wrote on 1/13/2009, 11:43 AM
I went to the Internet site for the Smart Car. I may have passed it, but I did not see any prices.

I am surprised with your comments about the gas milage. I would expect it to be very good.
Coursedesign wrote on 1/13/2009, 12:17 PM
I suspect that its crash cage works well for side impact also.

For pricing, see this.

busterkeaton wrote on 1/14/2009, 8:44 AM
In Europe where these cars started, they have a turbodiesel engine and get very good mileage. The version they released in the US does not have the turbodeisel. So unless you're buying it for parking, a honda fit or toyota yaris are probably better buys. It doesn't compete directly with a prius, because they cost more.

Apparently, they have come a long way from the first demo's they did in the US a couple of years ago, which Consumer Reports called the worst car it ever tested. It did 0-60 in 24 seconds.

Prices are from about 11,500 to 16,000 before options. I live in area where parking is getting very tight and I have two of these on my block (actually it might be one, if the guy traded his red one for a white one.)
Chienworks wrote on 1/14/2009, 9:11 AM
0-60 in 24 seconds is pretty good, compared to the VW Bug ads that say "0-60: yes!" :)
AlanC wrote on 1/14/2009, 9:21 AM
The http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=Smart+Roadster+Coupe&btnG=Google+Search&meta=Roadster[/link] is faster and neater looking.
Coursedesign wrote on 1/14/2009, 9:24 AM
Visiting an aunt in East Germany in 1974, I was shown a Trabant, the miserable, ultra-polluting car regular consumers were allowed to buy (after 8-10 years on a wait list).

The owner pointed to the car door and said, "Papper! Papper!"

I knew that meant "Paper" but I couldn't figure out what that had to do with car doors.

Then he knocked on the door, and it all became clear...

Not exactly a Smart Car cage.

Coursedesign wrote on 1/14/2009, 9:27 AM
The Roadster is faster and neater looking.

Is that the Long Wheel Base limousine version?

:O)

With the end of the bubble economy, we may now start seeing fewer Hummer limos (lots of those in L.A.), and more Smart Car limos...

busterkeaton wrote on 1/14/2009, 10:40 AM
by the way, there's another version of that same clip on that site, but they say it's only 70 kilometers per hour. (i didn't listen to the sound). Also since they talk about a tin of baked beans, it might be a different crash cage than the US version.
eVoke wrote on 1/14/2009, 10:45 AM
Even after seeing I don't know if I'd still all that safe in one of those BUT that was like the ultimate R/C car.
johnmeyer wrote on 1/14/2009, 11:37 AM
People around here (Carmel, CA) want to get them, but they are made of unobtanium. Try to get one. You'll see what I mean.

Speaking for myself, I'd love to buy a car that delivered on the promise of this car: basic one-person transportation, that would keep me dry in wet weather and warm in cold weather, and which would get 50+ mpg all the time. I have a friend who lives locally and is extremely well-known in motorcycle (Harley-Davidson) circles who is trying to design such a vehicle, although his first attempt will be a two-wheeler, so it won't be useful in the rain or cold.
Jay Gladwell wrote on 1/14/2009, 11:52 AM

The crash cage appears to work well, but I doubt the driver would survive such a crash.


rs170a wrote on 1/14/2009, 11:56 AM
Here's a story about an automotive writer who drove a Smart car across Canada (6,000 km./3,700 m.) in 9 days with his 14 yr. old daughter in June, 2007 - and lived to tell about it :-)

Mike
Coursedesign wrote on 1/14/2009, 11:58 AM
The VentureOne gets 100+ mpg, maxes out at 100 mph, does 0-60 mph in 5 sec and is covered to keep you cool in summer and warm in winter:






What do you get when you combine the exhilaration of riding a fast motorcycle, the safety and comfort of a commuter car, and the fuel efficiency of advanced automotive technologies? The VentureOne—a two-passenger, three-wheeled, 100-mpg plug-in series hybrid from Venture Vehicles in Los Angeles.

From http://www.hybridcars.com/plug-in-hybrids/ventureone-plugin-hybrid-commuter.html.

John_Cline wrote on 1/14/2009, 12:04 PM
I love the whole tiny car concept, no need to haul around more metal than necessary. I have a friend that has a smart car and he loves it and does actually get 50+ MPG around town. They are incredibly difficult to purchase, so recently I bought a first-generation 2006 Scion xB. The thing has a peppy 1.5 liter 103 HP motor and gets 30+ MPG in town and can actually haul a fair amount of video gear to a shoot. The second generation xB is larger and has a 2.4 liter motor that puts out 158 HP but only gets 22 MPG in town. This kind of diminishes the whole high-mileage "green" purpose.

Another thing about the xB is that it makes me laugh every time I see it. Cars should make you happy.




Did I mention that it's green?
AlanC wrote on 1/15/2009, 2:17 AM
"Cars should make you happy"

Well I nearly wet myself the first time I saw the http://media.nextautos.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/nissan-cube-1.jpgNissan Cube[/link]
Chienworks wrote on 1/15/2009, 3:51 AM
That looks like something out of a "Wallace & Grommit" movie!
apit34356 wrote on 1/15/2009, 5:27 AM
"I was shown a Trabant" , WoW, I thought what was used for political prisoner exchanges to help "promote" last second confessions by the East Germans. ;-)
apit34356 wrote on 1/15/2009, 5:28 AM
CD, VentureOne looks like fun!
johnmeyer wrote on 1/15/2009, 7:46 AM
Does the VentureOne actually exist? Every story I found from Google was dated two years ago. Sounds like another prototype announcement where something gets built, but then never goes into production.

As long as we are posting pictures of weird-looking, semi-futuristic, but ultimately ugly-ass cars that a few people love, but never get popular, let's bring back the Pacer!!

Chienworks wrote on 1/15/2009, 8:28 AM
Oh please no!! Not the Pacer!!!!!

*sigh* Now i need the brain bleach.
Coursedesign wrote on 1/15/2009, 8:42 AM
I remember reading a European review of the Pacer (apparently it was sold there too, or at least they tried).

The headline was, "Space Ship with Stagecoach Suspension."

(It had leaf springs, which hadn't been used for European passenger cars since WWII (or was it WWI?).

rs170a wrote on 1/15/2009, 9:34 AM
How about a ZENN (Zero Emissions No Noise) electric car?
List price is around $16,000.00

Mike
John_Cline wrote on 1/15/2009, 9:52 AM
I've been keeping track of the ZENNs development. Unfortunately, the maximum speed of the ZENN is 25mph, not quite fast enough to keep up with traffic around here. Nevertheless, 99% of my driving could be very well served by a fully electric car.