Smart car coming to the US market

Audi Loyalist · 02-08-2007, 09:09 PM

Hope Audi responds with an A2 (or A1??) sometime in the near future

Klik

The DJP · 02-09-2007, 12:18 AM

The Smart is far to small to compete with the A1. The A1 will compete with the new Mini and Alfa Junior (EU only).
The A1's design will be based on the "shooting brake" concept.
The engine range will start with the 1,4-Liter-FSI - with, 85, 105, 120 and 150 HP.
And for the diesel fans there will be a 1,6-Liter-Common-Rail Diesel engine with 70, 90 and 105 HP.

Audi Loyalist · 02-09-2007, 12:21 PM

I know that the A3'ers are concerned about an AWD Mini (being that they will be similarly priced). I'd be more willing to accept your comments (they are not direct competitors) when US pricing is released for both...

Mr Paul [T-28] · 02-09-2007, 01:05 PM

The DJP · 02-10-2007, 06:20 AM

I'm looking from the EU point of view.
The Smarts are seen as city cars, since they are great to park. However not made for highway use. (The old one was scary to drive above 70 mph).
The building quality of the previous Smart was also very poor. (Blown engines after 20k miles, the bodywork changed color after one summer.(Red -> Pink, Yellow -> Off-white, etc)
Also from a pricing point of view, they are not comparable.

Examples:
(Prices here in the Netherlands)

A3 1.6 = USD $33,000
A3 2.0T = USD $43,000

A1 1.4 = USD $28,000 (expected)

Mini Cooper = USD $29,000

Smart = USD $12,000

I think you get the idea.
The Mini Cooper is only comparable with the base model A3, the Smart is in a totally different league.
However the Mini and the A1 are quite comparable in price and performance.

Can't wait to see the US pricing.

Cheers,

Dirk-Jan

Audi Loyalist · 02-10-2007, 05:07 PM

IMO, the Smart car well sell well in very limited markets in heavily urbanized areas...when it comes to cross country, your observations will be right on (especially with all the heavy SUV's one might run into).

Audi Loyalist · 02-11-2007, 10:08 PM

and if it's not, I hope the Smart car will prompt Audi (based on price point) to bring the A1/A2 to this side of the pond

How I would love to have nearly 60+mpg with a TDI A2 in the states!!! </beats a dead horse>

Mr Paul [T-28] · 02-16-2007, 06:42 AM

Audi Loyalist · 02-17-2007, 10:27 PM

M.S.G. Homey2 · 04-10-2007, 06:11 PM

02-09-2007, 12:18 AM	#2
The DJP Junior Member 1998 Volvo V40 My Garage Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,361	Smart is not a competitor... The Smart is far to small to compete with the A1. The A1 will compete with the new Mini and Alfa Junior (EU only). The A1's design will be based on the "shooting brake" concept. The engine range will start with the 1,4-Liter-FSI - with, 85, 105, 120 and 150 HP. And for the diesel fans there will be a 1,6-Liter-Common-Rail Diesel engine with 70, 90 and 105 HP. __________________ 2005 Jaguar S-Type 3.0 V6 Sport 2005 Audi A2 1.4 Proline 1999 Saab 9-3 Coupe Turbo SE FSP 1998 Volvo V40 1.8i Previous Audi's: 2004 C5 A6 Avant 2.5 TDI Advance - 2000 C5 A6 1.9 TDI Limousine - 1996 C4 A6 1.9 TDI Avant

02-09-2007, 12:21 PM	#3
Audi Loyalist Junior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,418	I wonder if there's some cross platform competition I know that the A3'ers are concerned about an AWD Mini (being that they will be similarly priced). I'd be more willing to accept your comments (they are not direct competitors) when US pricing is released for both... __________________ __________________________________________________ "The First Mod Should be Driving School" - Matt Ammon a.k.a. O.W. Kenobi Useful Links AudiWorld Lingo/S4 InPro Mirror Install Guide/Wheel Scuff Repair/Engine Break In Period/How To Be A Badass/How To Be A Street Racer/Detailing Tips/Premium or Regular Gas/Infamous All-Rim Quattro Thread/Urban Dictionary/Funniest AW Post/Previous Whip/All Wheel Drive Systems/State by State Window Tint Laws Current [COLOR=gray">2006 A4 2.0<font color="red]T[/color] Loaded D.Grey S-Line Quattro</font> Previous 2001 A4 1.8T Santorin Blue 1974 Mercedes 450SE (first love, gone but not forgotton) Before that, I bummed rides from friends

02-09-2007, 01:05 PM	#4
Mr Paul [T-28] Junior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 4,211	About time. __________________ Current: 2001 1.8TQMS "AudiWorld picture poster wall hanging parts master".....

02-10-2007, 06:20 AM	#5
The DJP Junior Member 1998 Volvo V40 My Garage Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,361	That's true, it all depends on the US pricing strategy. I'm looking from the EU point of view. The Smarts are seen as city cars, since they are great to park. However not made for highway use. (The old one was scary to drive above 70 mph). The building quality of the previous Smart was also very poor. (Blown engines after 20k miles, the bodywork changed color after one summer.(Red -> Pink, Yellow -> Off-white, etc) Also from a pricing point of view, they are not comparable. Examples: (Prices here in the Netherlands) A3 1.6 = USD $33,000 A3 2.0T = USD $43,000 A1 1.4 = USD $28,000 (expected) Mini Cooper = USD $29,000 Smart = USD $12,000 I think you get the idea. The Mini Cooper is only comparable with the base model A3, the Smart is in a totally different league. However the Mini and the A1 are quite comparable in price and performance. Can't wait to see the US pricing. Cheers, Dirk-Jan __________________ 2005 Jaguar S-Type 3.0 V6 Sport 2005 Audi A2 1.4 Proline 1999 Saab 9-3 Coupe Turbo SE FSP 1998 Volvo V40 1.8i Previous Audi's: 2004 C5 A6 Avant 2.5 TDI Advance - 2000 C5 A6 1.9 TDI Limousine - 1996 C4 A6 1.9 TDI Avant

02-10-2007, 05:07 PM	#6
Audi Loyalist Junior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,418	Interesting figures...I had no idea that the A2 (EU) pricing is similar to US A3 pricing IMO, the Smart car well sell well in very limited markets in heavily urbanized areas...when it comes to cross country, your observations will be right on (especially with all the heavy SUV's one might run into). __________________ __________________________________________________ "The First Mod Should be Driving School" - Matt Ammon a.k.a. O.W. Kenobi Useful Links AudiWorld Lingo/S4 InPro Mirror Install Guide/Wheel Scuff Repair/Engine Break In Period/How To Be A Badass/How To Be A Street Racer/Detailing Tips/Premium or Regular Gas/Infamous All-Rim Quattro Thread/Urban Dictionary/Funniest AW Post/Previous Whip/All Wheel Drive Systems/State by State Window Tint Laws Current [COLOR=gray">2006 A4 2.0<font color="red]T[/color] Loaded D.Grey S-Line Quattro</font> Previous 2001 A4 1.8T Santorin Blue 1974 Mercedes 450SE (first love, gone but not forgotton) Before that, I bummed rides from friends

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02-11-2007, 10:08 PM	#7
Audi Loyalist Junior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,418	*I think* the A2/A1 is slated for North America and if it's not, I hope the Smart car will prompt Audi (based on price point) to bring the A1/A2 to this side of the pond How I would love to have nearly 60+mpg with a TDI A2 in the states!!! </beats a dead horse> __________________ __________________________________________________ "The First Mod Should be Driving School" - Matt Ammon a.k.a. O.W. Kenobi Useful Links AudiWorld Lingo/S4 InPro Mirror Install Guide/Wheel Scuff Repair/Engine Break In Period/How To Be A Badass/How To Be A Street Racer/Detailing Tips/Premium or Regular Gas/Infamous All-Rim Quattro Thread/Urban Dictionary/Funniest AW Post/Previous Whip/All Wheel Drive Systems/State by State Window Tint Laws Current [COLOR=gray">2006 A4 2.0<font color="red]T[/color] Loaded D.Grey S-Line Quattro</font> Previous** 2001 A4 1.8T Santorin Blue 1974 Mercedes 450SE (first love, gone but not forgotton) Before that, I bummed rides from friends

02-16-2007, 06:42 AM	#8
Mr Paul [T-28] Junior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 4,211	I hope it does come, that would be great. __________________ Current: 2001 1.8TQMS "AudiWorld picture poster wall hanging parts master".....

02-17-2007, 10:27 PM	#9
Audi Loyalist Junior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,418	I'd be a proud owner of one...and it would be nice to one-up all the hybrid car people __________________ __________________________________________________ "The First Mod Should be Driving School" - Matt Ammon a.k.a. O.W. Kenobi Useful Links AudiWorld Lingo/S4 InPro Mirror Install Guide/Wheel Scuff Repair/Engine Break In Period/How To Be A Badass/How To Be A Street Racer/Detailing Tips/Premium or Regular Gas/Infamous All-Rim Quattro Thread/Urban Dictionary/Funniest AW Post/Previous Whip/All Wheel Drive Systems/State by State Window Tint Laws Current [COLOR=gray">2006 A4 2.0<font color="red]T[/color] Loaded D.Grey S-Line Quattro</font> Previous 2001 A4 1.8T Santorin Blue 1974 Mercedes 450SE (first love, gone but not forgotton) Before that, I bummed rides from friends

04-10-2007, 06:11 PM	#10
M.S.G. Homey2 New Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 384	Ditto

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