Let's time travel all the way back to 2006. ACATT had brought to your attention that the little smart fortwo (original version) was featured in several movies including the Steve Martin Pink Panther film. Well, now it's 2009 and the new smart fortwo has a starring role in the second Steve Martin Pink Panther movie. Click here for your chance to win!
Showing posts with label smart fortwo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label smart fortwo. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Win a 2009 smart fortwo passion coupe (2/9/2009)
Sunday, January 18, 2009
smart usa booth at NAIAS
There was a tower of smarts outside COBO Center, but given the freezing temperatures and limited time at the show, I didn't snap any photos of it. It's a weak selection of photos, I am fully willing to admit that. However, in the spirit of sharing I'm posting them.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
My Chat With smart USA's Ken Kettenbeil
I had previously offered some insight into my inteview with smart USAs' Director of Communications, Ken Kettenbeil. Here are some other items that we discussed:
Awhile back, smart announced that soon its dealers would be offering apparel and whatnot via “Dealer eShops” on each smart center’s website. From time to time I would check various smart dealers websites and all I ever saw under the eShops tab was a “coming soon” statement. Ken’s response was that smart USA would be launching a national effort to market such items online later this year. Although Ken did not mention MINI by name, certainly MINI’s ability to sell its gear online is a model that smart would like to follow.
Another point I brought up to Ken was that smart was not allowing previous reservation holders to create multiple reservations for one driver’s license. Ken checked into the matter and e-mailed back that smart USA now allows consumers to place multiple reservations per driver’s license. I tested the site, but found my DL was still rejected. I have followed up with Ken about the issue.
For 2009 smart USA is expecting to add four stores: Forth Worth, Kansas City, Nashville, and New Orleans. This will bring the total tally of retailers to 78 stores in 36 states.
Asked about the turbo motor, Ken responded that for now smart was not looking at bringing it to the states. In fact, no additional models will probably be brought to the States prior to the electric drive model. However as previously reported, smart may bring additional allotments of Brabus models to the States. Back at the LA show I had asked smartUSA President Dave Schembri about the turbo motor and he responded that it was something they were looking into. Of course, Mr. Schembri acted “surprised” when I asked him about Tesla Motors working on electric smarts (something we now know is true), so these guys all have their secrets.
Monday, January 12, 2009
smart Adds "smart express" National Orphan Reallocation System
smart USA announced at the NAIAS that it is adding a new component to its reservation system. Presently, cars that are not purchased by their reservation holder are orphaned at what would have been the reservation holder's local dealership. It was responsibility of that particular dealership to sell the car. With smart express, smart USA can intercept these orphaned vehicles while they are en route to the dealership. These cars can then be reallocated based on existing reservations held nationwide. Reservation holders would be contacted when a car with the same or nearly the same specs became available and would be offered the ability to purchase that car instead of waiting. Buyers would be contacted in order, so earlier reservation holders would have first dibs. This would be of particular assistance for folks located in areas such as Texas where there is a longer waiting period. Reservation holders will be automatically enrolled in the program. For those cars that are orphaned after arriving at the dealership will still be sold by the local dealer. I asked Mr. Kettenbeil if reservation holders would be encouraged to make their decision earlier in order to reallocate more cars, he said that no, smart was not interested in badgering its customers. I did not get an exact date on when this program will be in place. I found no information about smart express in the 2009 press kit handed out at the show.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Austin Powers smart?
This is why I can't stand the "free to list" policy at eBay. You get ridiculous stuff like this.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Saturday, November 22, 2008
smart fortwo BRABUS Features and Options
| | Coupe | Cabriolet |
| Engine/Drivetrain | | |
| 1.0L 3-cylinder engine with 5-speed automated manual transmission | S | S |
| Power steering | S | S |
| BRABUS sports suspension, lowering vehicle by 10 mm | S | S |
| Wheels/Tires | | |
| BRABUS “Monoblock VII” alloy wheels, 15” front/17” rear | S | S |
| Exterior | | |
| Panorama roof with sunscreen | ||
| Fully automatic convertible top with glass rear window | ― | S |
| Projector beam halogen headlights | S | S |
| Side indicators in yellow | S | S |
| Exterior mirror cap in tridion color | S | S |
| Fog lamps | O | O |
| Daytime running lamps | O | O |
| BRABUS sports exhaust system with rear skirt in vehicle exterior color | S | S |
| BRABUS front skirt and side skirts in vehicle exterior color | S | S |
| BRABUS logo on front, rear and on fuel filler door | S | S |
| Body panels and tridion safety cell in deep black | O | O |
| Body panels and tridion safety cell in metallic silver | O | O |
| Interior | | |
| 3-spoke leather sports steering wheel with shift paddles and leather gearshift knob | S | S |
| Basic seat with weight detection and seatbelt recognition | S | S |
| Flat folding passenger seat with backrest adjustment | S | S |
| Storage areas beside steering wheel and in both doors | S | S |
| Mirror in passenger sun visor | S | S |
| Lockable glove compartment | S | S |
| Heated leather seats | S | S |
| Coin holder | S | S |
| Dome light | S | S |
| BRABUS velour floor mats | S | S |
| BRABUS sports pedals in brushed aluminum with rubber surface | S | S |
| Additional instruments (clock and tachometer) with painted silver trim | S | S |
| Audio | | |
| smart radio with AM/FM and single CD – includes two speakers and auxiliary jack input for external audio player | ||
| smart premium radio with AM/FM and MP3-compatible six-disc CD changer – includes two speakers, auxiliary jack input for external audio player | O | S |
| smart sound system with two tweeters, two mid range and subwoofer | O | S |
| Safety | | |
| Full-size driver and passenger airbags | S | S |
| Head/thorax side airbags | S | S |
| Electronic stability program (esp®) with hill start assist | S | S |
| Anti-lock braking system (abs) with electronic brake force distribution | S | S |
| Hydraulic dual-circuit brake system | S | S |
| Safety seats with integrated headrest | S | S |
| Seat belts with belt tensioner and belt-force limiter | S | S |
| Drive lock – auto activation of the central locking system while driving | S | S |
| Top tether for child restraint system | S | S |
| Panic button on key | S | S |
| Tire repair kit | S | S |
| Alarm system | O | O |
| S | S | |
| Functional/electrical equipment | | |
| Power windows with one-touch lowering function | S | S |
| Electronic and side heated mirrors | S | S |
| Air conditioning with automatic temperature control (incl dust, pollen filter) | S | S |
| Central locking system with remote control | S | S |
| Instrument cluster with multifunctional display (fuel-level indicator, coolant-level indicator, loose gas cap indicator, residual fuel indicator, service interval indicator, trip mileage indicator, clock) | S | S |
| Outside temperature indicator | S | S |
| Indicators with lane change function | S | S |
| Front windshield wiper with speed-dependent interval wiping and wiper/wash function | S | S |
| Intermittent rear windshield wiper with wiper/wash function | S | ― |
| Electric rear window defroster | S | S |
| Electric tailgate release | S | S |
| Locking fuel filler door | S | S |
| 12-volt socket, with cover | S | S |
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