The Smart Fortwo – Safe, Green and Inexpensive
We’ve all seen one – those teeny tiny little cars that are a bit bigger than a golf cart but zooming down the freeway at 65mph. The first time I saw one I was perplexed and immediately thought of the safety concerns. What if that little car had an unfortunate run in with a Hummer H2? Crunch! I decided to do a little bit of research about the Smart Car and am admittedly, intrigued.
Safety
The 2008 Smart Fortwo model actually received top ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for both front and side impact collisions. The Smart Fortwo is designed with steel bumpers and a crash box which helps to mitigate damage in the case of a front or rear collision. The shortened wheel-base of the car is actually designed to decrease the damage in a side impact.
In addition to being designed for safety, the car also has both active and passive safety features. Active safety functionality includes anti-lock brakes, a skid-control program and even a cornering brake control (CBC) system. Passive features include drive and passenger front and side airbags and a collapsible steering column.
How Green is the Smart Fortwo?
The vehicle is classified as an Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV). According to the smartusa.com website, “The catalytic converter is positioned close to the engine for a quick response. An electric pump blows fresh air into the exhaust port when the engine is cold to almost completely oxidize the carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons (HC) and render them harmless.â€
In addition to producing a ULEV vehicle, the parent company also looks at the environment impact of the entire process. The company’s eco balance sheet looks not only at the demands on the environment today but future demands including those placed on raw materials and future waste.
Affordability
The Smart Fortwo’s Pure model starts at $11,590. This is a fantastic price point for a commuting vehicle. The car has a maximum speed of 90mph and has a 2008 EPA rating of 41mpg on the highway and 33 in the city. This car comes at great price and will reduce your gas budget plus it has a relatively small carbon footprint.
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Great review on the smart car. With gas prices over $4 a gallon, the coming of the smart to America was perfect timing. This little car has many good features that upon inspection gives Americans a commuter vehicle that gets the job done.
Check out this site: http://www.america-smart-car-guide.com to find out more about the smart and is it right for you.
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