tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17606663.post115154981183869307..comments2023-10-20T01:32:37.488-07:00Comments on All Cars, All the Time: Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17606663.post-1151614624531277472006-06-29T13:57:00.000-07:002006-06-29T13:57:00.000-07:00As far as the third trim being a possible diesel, ...As far as the third trim being a possible diesel, Daimler Chrysler has already shown the prototype hybrid at this year's Michelin Challenge Bibendum. You can see MSN's streaming video interview with one of their engineers <A HREF="http://autos.msn.com/as/minishow/videogallery.aspx?s=bibendum2006" REL="nofollow">here</A>. The engineers I talked with were pretty tight lipped about any prospects for bringing smart to market in the US before the official announcement. They were, however, pretty excited about having both working gasoline and diesel hybrid configurations already running. The prototype didn't have a devoted start-stop mechanism, having to rely on the car's own built-in engine starter when switching between diesel and electric modes. The electric motor, battery, and control components all fit neatly onto the bottom of a production fortwo. Obviously, no one was willing to give definite word on future plans, but having driven the diesel hybrid version, and seeing how advanced the system is, it would make sense to market a hybrid version as the ultimate fuel economy commuter vehicle, if only for the PR value.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com