Motorcycle Engine in smart Car
by Michael Graham Richard, Gatineau, Canada on 09. 4.05
Along with the Toyota Prius GT which we previously covered, the smart car (Mercedes writes the name of the car with a lower-case "s") modified by Peter Bee and Z Cars is an answer to a question that nobody had asked, but still kind of cool. The super-mini-car is not quite treehugging in itself since the modifications certainly made it less efficient than it originally was, but anything that can get the general public excited about smaller cars (especially in North-America) can only be a good thing. The specs of the modified smart are: 180 hp from a GSXR1000 Suzuki motorcycle engine (they call the car "Smartuki" because of it), a 13,000 RPM redline, 0-60 in 4.2 seconds, 1/4 mile in 12.4 seconds and it tops out at 132mph. "Autosport Magazine tested it against a Mistubishi Evo FQ-330. It didn’t win but fared better than the Subaru that tried a week earlier." No word on fuel economy, but we assume that it must still be decent when the engine is kept at low revs.
::Smart Car plus GSXR equals "Smartuki," a VERY Smart Car, via ::Jalopnik
Based with my experience, a 600cc motorcycle engine will get about 45-50mpg. I would guess if the gears are optimized for economy and with lower air drag, the fuel economy would be better than a motorcycle.
Please remember that the car you report on is a highly modified smart™ car. Stock smart™ cars are 800cc, 40 hp 3 cyl turbocharged engines. Real world mileage stats are 70-80 mpg.
We just returned from a 3-week vacation in central Europe using a SMART fortwo car rented in Prague from the Sixt rental agency. We had 2 large, heavy suitcases plus several smaller bags which fit nicely behind the two seats. We drove from Prague to Bratislava to Budapest and extensively throughout Hungary before returning to Prague. We drove on both freeways and small country roads covering more than 1,000 miles in all.
Having never driven a really small car before, I did not know what to expect. For me it was a dream to drive. Acceleration was excellent from any previous speed, steering was quick and secure feeling and most amazing to me was the ride we experienced at 140 kph on a freeway. There was minimal noise and sbsolutely no buffeting from the wind. As might be expected, it was easy to use in older cities with their very narrow streets and overly aggressive drivers. Getting it into a parking space was just plain fun --- it really does "turn on a dime."
We could not check on fuel consumption because the receipts from the gas pumps did not record how many liters had been purchased.
When we buy our next car, in a year or two, we will seriously consider a SMART car, probably the "forfour" model.
Ok, great! Now just come up with a smart car for those of us OVER 5 feet tall, and with a family. I'm 6' 6 and have a wife and two kids. Most people have more to transport every day than a suitcase, ya know.
Actually, smart sells a "forfour" car that looks more like the typical sedan. The fortwo is obviously an urban commuter, so it wasn't made for families (but looking at the average number of people in cars during commute hours, I'd say that having two seats is almost too much...).
It was my impression that someone tall could fit in the smart fortwo, but I haven't tried it yet so I can't be sure (I'm 6'1", though - you at 6'6" are very far to the right in the bell curve).
dear sirs:
i would like to get information on how to buy one of these small cars. they are either made by susuki or merdeds benz.
thank john e. smith
They are DaimlerChrysler
http://www.smart.com
Drove one today! I am 6' 2" / 235 LBS! I was comfortable! It carries tons of stuff and is a genius car all the way around! Don't judge a book by its cover....drive it and you will be smart too! The Buggah' goes and is Mercedes answer to the BMW MINI. I choose Smart!
I drive a modified Smart, with the 85bhp SmartsRUs remap (have a look at ther website). It goes like a rocket & I still get 50mpg. What I particularly like though is the fantastic handling that the wider tyres and stiffened suspension give me. I've not driven anything that even comes close in terms of driving pleasure. Plus, it is actually very roomy inside (by simply deleting the back seats, they haven't had to compromise on legroom). Items I've transported include an ironing board, a bike (front wheel off) & a barbecue! Also, its 3* NCAP rating makes me feel safe. Not without problems though.. a bit succeptible to crosswinds (you get used to it) & oil consumption is rather high. I've had it 2 years & done 20,000 miles. In short.. LOVE IT!
Hi, I am interested in finding an opportunity to import or manufacture such type of smart cars inside Pakistan. can anyone of you suggest any such business opportunity?
I get about 300 miles on a tank of fuel in my smart fortwo - I work that out to be 41mpg. This seems a lot lower than some of the figures I hear for smart fuel consumption. The only explanation I can think of is that almost all of my driving is short journeys, in town. I have the 60hp turbo engine. If you are a smart driver - does this make sense to you? Or perhaps I am driving too enthusiastically (!)
any opinions welcome
Jeremy
I am looking for a motorcycle motor that will fit into a golf card. I have about 14 inches of height and plenty of room to a differential, chain or belt driven axle. I do not want to shift gears. The authmatic clutch is fine. Any ideas?
Cute, but not sexy!
I've heard the Smart car engine is only good for 30 - 50k miles, after which it needs a rebuild or replacement. Anyone have evidence to support or refute this?
BR, Dave.
I found a more sporty looking smart car, it was just an image, but im not sure what type it was, sorry for the minimal info, but it was nice looking and great mileage...def interested in investing into it.
Why is it that the Smart cars in Europe get great gas mileage, but the ones sold in America get much worse mileage.
A conspiracy perhaps?
American gallons are smaller than Imperial gallons, so you need more gallons in America to go the same distance. Don't worry - there's no conspiracy.
In response to older entries:
The sporty-looking smart is called the smart roadster. I've driven one, and it is awesome (same slow gearbox as the regular smart though). Production of the roadster has stopped, so buy a used one.
I get 500 to 600km per tank around town - up to 700km with some highway driving.
I've heard of smart engines seizing from lack of oil. The engine is tucked away out of sight, and apparently some owners don't check oil levels at all. With good maintenance, I'm sure the engine would last a reasonable amount of time. I saw an article about a smart in Italy that had >500,000km on the clock, but I can't find that article now, and I don't know if it was on its original engine. My smart is on about 70,000 km and seems fine.
this car is one of the greatest inventions ever, especially for the US gallon hoggers we all are over here. As a European I'm so much encouraging people to see what we can get away with instead of what we want or need.
Remember, "Less is more", our kids and their kids (maybe) will enjoy us being considerate using these cars istead of that 4.0L Jeep you are about to purchase!
Nils
Doesw anyone now where I can get a reconditioned smart city 600 engine or who I can go to?
Does anyone know if you can import a used car (Smart or Roadster) without the engine to get around EPA restrictions? I'm thinking of doing the Smartuki conversion but want to start with a slightly used car rather than scrap a perfectly good new engine. I'm in the USA (NJ). TIA.