Dark Side of Hybrid Vehicles

On Sat, 06 Aug 2005 17:49:20 GMT, "FanJet" >
wrote:

wrote:
>> Steve Bigelow > wrote:
>>
>>> How does it compare to the Smart fortwo?
>>
>> Some Canadians are citing 65mpg on the highway in the smartfortwo,
>> which would seem to be 54MPG US.
>>
>> Canadians are reporting 88MPG highway with the Insight (73 US MPG).
>>
>> What would a smart car get with a hybrid option?
>> An Insight without the hybrid?
>
>There's no need for a hybrid option but there is a need for the Smart in the
>US.

Why is there a need for the Smart when you can get better milage out
of the gasoline-as-the-onlly-energy-source Insight?

On Sat, 06 Aug 2005 16:49:56 GMT, "FanJet" >
wrote:

>>> How do they recharge it at night?
>>
>> They have retrofitted a line voltage charging system, an option
>> available only if you have a hybrid system to start with.
>> Manufacturers are considering adding this as standard equipment to
>> their hybrid vehicles.
>
>Which does nothing but move the pollution upstream and make it virtually
>impossible to accurately calculate MPG.

So let me get this straight. You keep whining that hybrids don't have
any energy source but gasoline, but when someone tells you about a
hybrid which does have a second energy source, you whine about that
too. If they got 5% of their energy from hydrocarbons emitted into
the air by vehicle refueling, would you complain that they were
stealing your gas?

"SoCalMike" > wrote in message
...
> FanJet wrote:
>>
>> I like choice too. Let's bring the smart42 to the US! Considering the
>> odd popularity and re-sale value of the Mini-Cooper, I'd think the
>> Smart42 would make dealerships very wealthy indeed.
>
> im not too sure, but its worth a shot. the mini is based on an updated
> "retro" design, and backed by BMW. the smart has no history, and im not
> sure its even backed by daimler-chrysler in canada. isnt an independant
> company importing it?

I think you'll have them next year.
Smarts are sold and serviced in Mercedes Benz dealerships, at least in
Ottawa. Smart Cars are a wholly owned subsidiary of MB. The first car sold
in 1998.

"SoCalMike" > wrote in message
...
> FanJet wrote:
>>
>> I like choice too. Let's bring the smart42 to the US! Considering the
>> odd popularity and re-sale value of the Mini-Cooper, I'd think the
>> Smart42 would make dealerships very wealthy indeed.
>
> im not too sure, but its worth a shot. the mini is based on an updated
> "retro" design, and backed by BMW. the smart has no history, and im not
> sure its even backed by daimler-chrysler in canada. isnt an independant
> company importing it?

Sweet Jesus,...I want this one!
http://www.motorsm.com/collection/ph...OADSTER_SL.jpg

In article >, "Steve Bigelow" > wrote:
>
>"SoCalMike" > wrote in message
...
>> FanJet wrote:
>>>
>>> I like choice too. Let's bring the smart42 to the US! Considering the
>>> odd popularity and re-sale value of the Mini-Cooper, I'd think the
>>> Smart42 would make dealerships very wealthy indeed.
>>
>> im not too sure, but its worth a shot. the mini is based on an updated
>> "retro" design, and backed by BMW. the smart has no history, and im not
>> sure its even backed by daimler-chrysler in canada. isnt an independant
>> company importing it?
>
>I think you'll have them next year.
>Smarts are sold and serviced in Mercedes Benz dealerships, at least in
>Ottawa. Smart Cars are a wholly owned subsidiary of MB. The first car sold
>in 1998.


I'm all for the Smart being sold in the US. More choices is always
a good thing in my book. But alas, DCX nixed the idea about half a
year back. And it looks like the new CEO is less enamored to the
brand than Shremp, who created it. It's been a big money loser
since its inception. Rumors are that he'll shop the brand.

BTW, the diesel Smart sold in Canada has a 0-100 km/h of 19.8 sec!

"Dave" > wrote in message
...
> In article >, "Steve Bigelow"
> > wrote:
>>
>>"SoCalMike" > wrote in message
...
>>> FanJet wrote:
>>>>
>>>> I like choice too. Let's bring the smart42 to the US! Considering the
>>>> odd popularity and re-sale value of the Mini-Cooper, I'd think the
>>>> Smart42 would make dealerships very wealthy indeed.
>>>
>>> im not too sure, but its worth a shot. the mini is based on an updated
>>> "retro" design, and backed by BMW. the smart has no history, and im not
>>> sure its even backed by daimler-chrysler in canada. isnt an independant
>>> company importing it?
>>
>>I think you'll have them next year.
>>Smarts are sold and serviced in Mercedes Benz dealerships, at least in
>>Ottawa. Smart Cars are a wholly owned subsidiary of MB. The first car sold
>>in 1998.
>
>
> I'm all for the Smart being sold in the US. More choices is always
> a good thing in my book. But alas, DCX nixed the idea about half a
> year back. And it looks like the new CEO is less enamored to the
> brand than Shremp, who created it. It's been a big money loser
> since its inception. Rumors are that he'll shop the brand.
>
> BTW, the diesel Smart sold in Canada has a 0-100 km/h of 19.8 sec!

Yep. And 95 a litre regular gas!
The can't keep them in stock.

Steve Bigelow wrote:
> Sweet Jesus,...I want this one!
> http://www.motorsm.com/collection/ph...OADSTER_SL.jpg

Definitely cute, but it would be a royal PITA to keep the headlights
clear in heavy snow. Would need some sort of a cover, for sure. But then
not too many folks in snowy climates would go for a convertable, I guess.

Oh, here's a good site for gov't real world test results of various
HEV's:

avt.inel.gov/hev.shtml

Gordon McGrew wrote:
> On Sat, 06 Aug 2005 17:49:20 GMT, "FanJet" >
> wrote:
>
>
wrote:
>>
>>>Steve Bigelow > wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>>How does it compare to the Smart fortwo?
>>>
>>>Some Canadians are citing 65mpg on the highway in the smartfortwo,
>>>which would seem to be 54MPG US.
>>>
>>>Canadians are reporting 88MPG highway with the Insight (73 US MPG).
>>>
>>>What would a smart car get with a hybrid option?
>>>An Insight without the hybrid?
>>
>>There's no need for a hybrid option but there is a need for the Smart in the
>>US.
>
>
> Why is there a need for the Smart when you can get better milage out
> of the gasoline-as-the-onlly-energy-source Insight?
>

different strokes for different folks. isnt the smart supposed to be
cheaper? then theres people like me who dont have a 2-car garage and
dont drive much. id much rather have a smart and have room left over for
3 more motorcycles or scooters

Gordon McGrew wrote:
> On Sat, 06 Aug 2005 17:49:20 GMT, "FanJet" >
> wrote:
>
>> wrote:
>>> Steve Bigelow > wrote:
>>>
>>>> How does it compare to the Smart fortwo?
>>>
>>> Some Canadians are citing 65mpg on the highway in the smartfortwo,
>>> which would seem to be 54MPG US.
>>>
>>> Canadians are reporting 88MPG highway with the Insight (73 US MPG).
>>>
>>> What would a smart car get with a hybrid option?
>>> An Insight without the hybrid?
>>
>> There's no need for a hybrid option but there is a need for the
>> Smart in the US.
>
> Why is there a need for the Smart when you can get better milage out
> of the gasoline-as-the-onlly-energy-source Insight?

The Smart doesn't consume gasoline and it's very unlikely the Insight gets
73 US MPG irrespective of conditions.