shocauto.com Blog

Here is a basic comparison of the two cars
          

1992 Geo Metro                2008 Smart fortwo

Length                           146 in                              106.1 in
Width                              62 in                               61.4 in
Height                            52.4 in                              60.7 in
Weight                          1620 lbs                            1808 lbs
Power                       49hp@4700rpm                  70hp@5800rpm
Torque                    58lb-ft@3300rpm                68lb-ft@4500rpm

Old EPA Mileage            46 / 50 MPG                   40 / 45 MPG est
New EPA Mileage         38 / 45 MPG est                   33 / 41 MPG

0-60 (est)                      14.4 sec                           12.2 sec
1/4 mile (est)              19.6 @ 69 MPH                18.8 @ 73.5 MPH

windows                          manual                             manual
Locks                              manual                             power
ABS                                   No                                 Yes
Traction control                   No                                 Yes
Airbags                             One                                Four

In 1992 the NHTSA also did not have side impact or rollover standards that cars are expected to meet today.

Smart has finally announced the specs for the 2008 fortwo.

Technical Data smart fortwo 70 hp

Engine
Displacement 1 liter / 61 cu inch
Number of cylinders/ configuration in-line three cylinder
Engine block/cylinder head aluminium
Valves four per cylinder
Engine capacity 61 cubic inch
Bore x stroke 2.83 x 3.22 inches
Rated output 70 hp @ 5800 rpms
Max. torque 68 lb ft @ 4500
Oil 3.5 qt (incl. filter)
Coolant 4.5 qt
Fuel delivery electronic multipoint injection
Recommended fuel premium unleaded gasoline (min 91 octane)
Federal emissions BIN5 / ULEV (Cal.)

Power transmission
Clutch single-plate dry clutch
Transmission automated manual five-speed Transmission
Gear ratios: 1st (3.308)
.                2nd (1.913)
.                3rd (1.258)
.                4th (0.943)
.                5th (0.707)
Reverse            (3.231)
Final drive         (4.529)

Running gear
Front axle suspension lower wishbone, McPherson strut, anti-roll bar
Rear axle suspension DeDion axle, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers

Brake system dual-circuit brake system with tandem servo assistance
11 inch diameter disc brakes at front
8 inch diameter drum brakes at rear
electronic stability program (esp) with hill start assist
anti-lock braking system (abs) with electronic brake-force distribution, traction control system, electronic brake assist

Steering rack-and-pinion steering

Wheels and tires (front/rear)
pure:                                    steel, with wheel covers
passion:                                aluminium wheels
all-season tires on both models 155/60R15 on 4.5Jx15 (front),
.                                          175/55R15 on 5.5Jx15 (rear)

Dimensions and weights
Wheelbase                       73.5 inches
Track width front/rear        50.51 inches/54.53 inches
Length                            106.1 inches
Width                              61.38 inches
Height                             60.71 inches
Headroom                        39.7 inches
Legroom                          41.2 inches
Shoulder room                  48 inches
Hip room                         45.4 inches
Passenger volume             45.4 cu. ft.
Turning circle                   28.7 ft
Luggage compartment capacity 7.8 (up to beltline)/12 (to roof) cu. ft.
ECE weight without driver   1,808 lbs (cabriolet: 1,852 lbs)
ECE Payload                     507 lbs (cabriolet: 463 lbs)
ECE permissible maximum weight 2,315 lbs
Fuel tank capacity (reserve) 8.7 gal (includes 1.3 gal reserve)

Performance

Maximum speed       90 mph
Acceleration           0–60 mph 12.8 sec

Fuel consumption*
City/highway (mpg) 33/41 (EPA 2008 standards)
.                          40/45 (EPA 2007standards)

*Fuel economy estimates were derived in accordance with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) vehicle testing procedures for model year 2008 as specified in 40 C.F.R. pts. 86 and 600 (2007). These estimates are intended for comparison between other vehicles within the same class. Individual drivers’ actual mileage will vary depending on how they drive and maintain their vehicles.

A couple of weeks ago I was able to confirm my order for a 2008 Smart Fortwo. I will be be buying a Yellow and black Pure model with AC and heated seats. It will basically be a stripper commuted model for me. Here’s what it should look like:

fortwo pure coupe, 1.0 L, 71 HP, 3 cylinder engine

Base price $11,590.00
tridion safety cell, black N/C
body panels in light yellow N/C
Upholstery color: grey N/C

Standard equipment

Engine/drivetrain
1.0 L, 71 HP, 3 cylinder engine
5 speed automated manual transmission

Wheels/tyres
Steel wheels with front tires: 155/60 R15; rear tires 175/55 R15
Tire pressure control system

Exterior
Solid roof
Projector beam halogen headlights
Exterior mirror cap in tridion color

Interior
Upholstery color: grey
2-spoke leather steering wheel and leather gearshift knob
Flat folding passenger seat with backrest adjustment
Lockable glove compartment
Provision for radio installation (incl. antenna, 2 speakers, Aux input jack for MP3 device)

Safety
Tire repair kit
esp – electronic stability program with hill start assist
Anti-lock braking system (abs) with electronic brake force distribution
Full-size driver and passenger airbags
Head/Thorax-Side Airbags
Drive lock – auto-activation of the central locking when driving

Functional/electrical equipment
Manual windows
Central locking system with remote control
Instrument cluster with multifunctional display (fuel-level indicator, coolant-level indicator, residual fuel indicator, service interval indicator, trip mileage indicator, clock)
Outside temperature indicator
Front windshield wiper with speed-dependent interval wiping and wiper-/wash function
Intermittent rear windshield wiper with wiper-/wash function

Extras
Heated seats $220.00
Anti-theft alarm system $160.00
Air conditioning with automatic temperature control (incl. dust, pollen filter)
$600.00

Total price: $12,570.00

The building I work in is showing it’s age in many ways.  The bathrooms don’t vent well, the rooms are oddly laid out, and the flooring is old. The lobby has been updated and looks nice, but the building is no longer at the top of it’s game. There is a PA system in the building, but it has not been used in at least the year and a half I’ve been here. 

At least not until last week. Apparently, somebody has decided to start using the PA system again, and there appear to be kinks to work out. Randomly over the last week I’ve heard several tests, a few proper pages, and the occasional phone call. Apparently, different people, at various teams have attempted to make phone calls only to accidentally get on the PA system. It doesn’t seem like a PA is a difficult tool to master, but apparently it is here. 

Today, however, I heard the funniest. In a bathroom that seems to play different pages than the rest of the building, somebody accidentally activated the PA to say “Yeah, no $h!t Sherlock Holmes!”

I think there may still be a few kinks to work out. At least it’s Friday.

These days, not much. the concept of the family name has become much less important that it was in the past. Many couples now chose to not have children, and not pass on their name. Many couples do no adopt the husband’s name, sometimes hyphenating the name, sometimes using the wife’s family name, and sometimes creating an altogether new name for their family. But most of us still keep our family name, even when it may may be a little unusual, or portray something unintended.

The Bong State Recreational Area in Wisconsin, named for WWII P-38 fighter ace Richard Bong, is an example of a name that may be misconstrued these days. Jay Leno has often show unfortunate name combinations in wedding notices as another example. Let’s hope there is no hyphenating in the Poore-Sapp wedding.

Another possible name blunder is current Republican Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee. I’m sorry, while the presidential race should not be a popularity contest, and should only be about the issues and who will lead our country in the way closest to our ideals, I cannot see voting for a President Huckabee. It seems so hill-billy, so redneck. I’m sure that Mr. Huckabee is a fine person, and might make a great president, but can he ever overcome the name? Could we possibly have faith in and support a President Huckabee?  

Perhaps Mr Huckabee should have followed the lead of actors and actresses of days gone by and selected a “stage name” for the political stage. Perhaps a President Huck? No, that actually seems worse. President Abee? Sounds a little too ethnic, so I’m not sure how well it would play. How about Smith? A common a last name as Smith is supposed to be, we’ve never had a Smith as President. Perhaps it’s time for a Michael D. H. Smith?

Or maybe not, we have had a Jimmy and Ronnie as President, why not a Huckabee?