MBCA-WI Photo Gallery
Wisconsin Smart

This is the "Smart City Coupe", which is produced by the Smart Car Co., owned by Daimler-Chrysler Corp. (DCC). You can see this car and get all the specs on it as well as all the other Smart cars at www.smartcarcanada.com. The Smart cars are presently imported to Canada, but DCC has reportedly no plans to bring this marque to the U.S. However, two Wisconsin gentlemen (who shall remain nameless), are working toward full authorization to get the car federalized for sale in the U.S.

The two co-owners of this City Car have visited the headquarters building in Stuttgart, where Smart Co. stores the cars for delivery in a glass tower. They said it's thrilling to see this City Car go whizzing by on the Autobahn at 85 mph (the top speed). The car is actually quite roomy inside for 2 people, and there is room for luggage in the back. This car is one of the second generation versions, a 2003 model, with only 6000 kilometers on the clock. It is drivable for the next one year on a "visa" from the Feds.

The luggage space is similar to any other economy car, only a bit smaller. No, it's not quite big enough to fit in those golf clubs, but it will hold approximately 6 bags of groceries. Smart car makes a whole range of accessories for the car, including bike racks, and ski racks. The total weight of this vehicle is roughly 1700 Lbs.

The engine is located under the luggage compartment. It's a 50 HP, water cooled, 3 cylinder, 700 cc in-line with a turbo and an intercooler. A 75 HP version, as well as a common rail injected diesel is available also. Gas mileage is stated as 4.0 to 6.0 Liters per 100 Kilometers, which is in the neighborhood of 40 to 60 mpg. Maintenance can be done through the bottom of the luggage compartment, but for more serious problems, the whole engine is dropped from the car. The Germans figure a trained mechanic can do the drop operation in less than 45 minutes...

Here's the driver's side view. The seating position is quite upright, something like a full size Volvo, and high off the floor. No squatting to get in, just like a much bigger car. The body panels are all composite material, and can be changed by just unbolting, and bolting in a new set. You could even change colors of the car with a second set of panels. This is the first version of the car's body style to be built. Subsequent versions, shown on the web site listed above, are a Targa version, a full open-air version sans doors, and a sporty version styled by Brabus.

One of the co-owners was nice enough to bring out his SL55 AMG and his 1960 300SL for a comparison shot with the Smart Car. As you can see, the Smart Car is diminutive next to even an SL, at 98 inches length, 60 inches width, and 61 inches high. The car is actually so compact that you can drive into a two car garage, completely turn it around, and drive it out facing forward again ! You can store two Smart Cars in the space where you usually park your S Class Benz.

My sincere Thanks to Scott Schwab, General Manager of Lake Country Motor Sports, located in Delafield. The City Car can be seen there on display occasionally, and Scott was kind enough to forward my request for pictures and some information to the owner of the City Car.

Lake Country Motor Sports specializes in used Import and exotic cars of all makes, and I encourage all MBCA members to check out the selection of vehicles which they have. You can contact them at www.lakecountrymotorsports.com.

Article and photos by Jerry Zajicek