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Smart Car Makes a Little Noise

DaimlerChrysler subsidiary's pocket-size Fortwo revs up to enter US market

By Sam Gale Rosen, Newser Staff

Posted May 16, 2007 1:12 PM CDT

(Newser) – Smart USA will venture into the American auto market early next year, but not in a big way: The Smart Fortwo is very, very small. LA Times auto columnist Dan Neil takes it for a spin and reports that it's a chick magnet and a lot of fun to drive, but relatively expensive. Also, what if someone steps on it?

On the plus side, the car is surprisingly spacious. But the much larger Toyota Prius and Honda Civic hybrid offer about the same gas mileage without the fear of death that haunts Neil as he pilots the 106-inch-long Fortwo. He does like the look, though: "It couldn't be any cuter if it were buried up to its neck? in kittens."

[Images (4)]

[Videos (1)]

BIZ AUTO-SMART-FORTWO 1 MCT (KRT Photos)

BIZ AUTO-SMART-FORTWO 2 MCT (KRT Photos)

Latest Cars Are Showcased At The Detroit Auto Show (Getty Images)

The Canadian Smart Fortwo has a 40 horsepower engine and gets 56 miles per gallon. It is shown here at the 2005 Chicago Auto Show. (KRT Photos)

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Smart Car Makes a Little Noise