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ZAP Smart Car

by Steve
Tuesday, July 26, 2005

A company called ZAP (Zero Air Pollution), has produced a version of its ZAP Car for the United States, called the "Smart Car".

The ZAP Cars have been selling well in Europe for some time, which caused the company to develop a version that meets American standards. Just last week the European-made cars entered the United States on their way to dealers throughout the nation.

The Smart Car is still a gas-powered vehicle, however. It has a rear-mounted 3-cylinder turbo engine producing 60 horse power. It has a six-speed automatic transmission, and an 8.7 gallon fuel capacity.

I couldn't find any specifics on the company website as to specifically what kind of gas-mileage one would expect from a Smart Car. But I'm sure it's probably pretty good.

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The Smart Car is not actually produced by ZAP. ZAP is an American distributor of the car and has been jumping through flaming hoops to get the car to the U.S. market. The car is made by Smart, a division of DaimlerChrysler who, from my limited research, it sounds like they have been making the importing of the car very difficult for ZAP. I guess, even though the American public wants fuel-efficient vehicles, we will just get more SUVs. The unofficial MPG for the Smart is anywhere from 40-60 MPG. It seems as though the other Major manufacturers in the U.S. are trying to push the official number down. As far as reliability... the cars are all over the U.K. and Europe and I've never met anyone with any complaints.

By Anonymous, at 5/30/2006 10:51:00 AM
I saw where 2 Canadians using a diesel version went from the West Coast of Canada and drove it to Halifax, Nova Scotia and averaged 70 MPG. They converted liters and kilometers so that the USA could understand. Does anyone know if the Smart cars are gas or diesel? thanks, Jim

By Jimbo409, at 7/02/2006 07:17:00 PM
I saw where 2 Canadians using a diesel version went from the West Coast of Canada and drove it to Halifax, Nova Scotia and averaged 70 MPG. They converted liters and kilometers so that the USA could understand. Does anyone know if the Smart cars are gas or diesel? thanks, Jim

By Jimbo409, at 7/02/2006 07:17:00 PM
I'm interested to hear that the car has now been produced to American standards. Presumably it now does 10 miles to the gallon, has been badly refitted with a cheap plastic interior, and has a radio that doesn't work.

By Sean, at 8/04/2006 12:08:00 AM
Isn't it strange that my 1995 geo metro gets 42 miles to the gallon ,and I bought it 3 years ago for a whopping $800.00.Too bad Suzuki who originated the suzuki swift aka geometro stopped making them. Do you suppose the oil companies had a hand in that?I was really curious about the price of the smart car till I saw between $20+k to 30k price tag. too bad we in America can't get it right.

By Anonymous, at 2/26/2007 03:52:00 PM

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