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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
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 OPINION 
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Smart Car: Revolution Parked in a Tiny Package

It's no hot rod, but size is perfect for city types

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(Newser) – Despite an underpowered engine and lousy transmission, the tiny Smart Fortwo can be a good buy—particularly for city-dwellers, Farhad Manjoo writes in the Machinist. The mini-ride makes parking, merging, and tight turns entirely new experiences. "It's the sense that you're unstoppable in this thing, that no corner of the city is off-limits, that this is the future of driving," Manjoo gushes.

Driving a Smart car can also appeal to one's inner exhibitionist. "The Smart elicits such curiosity that owners have taken to printing up FAQs to hand out to people they meet," Manjoo writes. The most common question: does it feel like a normal car? The answer: "It certainly does—at least, it feels like the front half of a normal car."

Alan Chow, with the California Air Resources Board, an environmental agency, gets a driver's view of Daimler AG's Smart Car Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2007, at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
Alan Chow, with the California Air Resources Board, an environmental agency, gets a driver's view of Daimler AG's Smart Car Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2007, at the Los Angeles Auto Show.   (AP Photo/Ric Francis)
Journalists test drive the Smart car on Tuesday, July 10, 2007 in Detroit.
Journalists test drive the Smart car on Tuesday, July 10, 2007 in Detroit.   (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
A Smart fortwo car drives past PPG Plaza in Pittsburgh's Market Square during the lunch hour Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2007.
A Smart fortwo car drives past PPG Plaza in Pittsburgh's Market Square during the lunch hour Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2007.   (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
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ANALYSIS

 Death Traps 
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 Split Automakers 

Are there any good choices for consumers in the car size debate?

Apr 21, 09 11:45 AM CDT
(Newser) - In the push to curb America’s fuel intake, consumers must often make a choice between safety and fuel economy, Joseph White writes in the Wall Street Journal. The real problem, though, may be that small cars have to share the road with SUVs. “A much bigger issue is... More »

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(Newser) - Toyota’s Prius may hold the crown for fuel-efficiency, but that doesn’t mean it’s lonely at the top. BusinessWeek takes a look at the 15 cars with the best mileage—30 mpg combined city and highway or better.
  • Mercury’s 2009 Mariner Hybrid offers mileage better than
... More »

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fuel efficiency • Prius • hybrid car • Smart Car • Mini Cooper • cars • Honda Civic Hybrid

 Smart Car Scores Big on Cute 

Tiny rides now trendy, even for big car people

Jul 18, 08 9:45 AM CDT
(Newser) - Mercedes’ Smart cars are selling brilliantly—the US waiting list is 30,000 long—and the tiny two-seater's performance at the gas pump isn't the whole story. Yes, they’re the most fuel-efficient non-hybrids around, but only barely—some Hondas and Toyotas almost match their 33mpg. There's also the cute... More »

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fuel efficiency • Mercedes Benz • auto industry • Smart Car • SUVs

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