Following on from another discussion, I pose the question should we add the Smart to Klass? A Smart-klass, so to speak. *badoom-tshhh!*
I am unsure as to whether or not it was built to conform to Kei class regulations, but in the spirit of the small car community I'm sure we can make a space for it.
I will run this poll for a week or so and then post the final decision.
In the meantime, does anyone have more detailed info on the Smart that they could share with us?
Addition of the Smart to Klass
F8B EFI turbo - Three pots and a snail.
I would be genuinely suprised is the Smart doesn't conform to Kei-class restrictions. It just seems far to coincidental that Mercedes would opt for a 660cc engine capacity like all other modern Kei-cars, don't you think? And the physical dimensions and weight have got to be well within the range, surely...
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Yup!
Coup'e, Cabrio and the roadster!
660 turbo with 60hp
I'd say - yep looks just about right!
And then there's the Brabus versions with 75hp!
Maybe an exception should be made for those twin turbo v6 roadster ones: Clickety click
Coup'e, Cabrio and the roadster!
660 turbo with 60hp
I'd say - yep looks just about right!
And then there's the Brabus versions with 75hp!
Maybe an exception should be made for those twin turbo v6 roadster ones: Clickety click
Yeah, why not!
Mira's released to Australia conform to the dimension and weight guidelines but are well in excess of the 660cc capacity rule...
Mira's released to Australia conform to the dimension and weight guidelines but are well in excess of the 660cc capacity rule...
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- evilgidget
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- Location: Newcastle, NSW
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What sort of genuine Merc driver would be seen dead in one? none that i know of.
It meets the power, cc & size dimensions of the kei class cars, so i cant really see why not...
Besides, you'd have to be nutty as a fruit bat to drive one (HintHint: i'd like 2 of 'em! )
It meets the power, cc & size dimensions of the kei class cars, so i cant really see why not...
Besides, you'd have to be nutty as a fruit bat to drive one (HintHint: i'd like 2 of 'em! )
Waddaya talking about digghed? Domestic Mira's are 660cc, with the exception of the "panelvan" model, which was an 850cc.Josh wrote:Yeah, why not!
Mira's released to Australia conform to the dimension and weight guidelines but are well in excess of the 660cc capacity rule...
F8B EFI turbo - Three pots and a snail.
- evilgidget
- Posts: 342
- Joined: Tue Apr 13, 2004 10:22 pm
- Location: Newcastle, NSW
- Contact:
its my understanding that the dohc or turbo versions of the Mira are 660cc. The Handi (cheaper & nastier version of the Mira, or the panelvan version if you insist) is somewhere about the 850cc mark
First of all let me apologise profusely for the above mistake. I've obviously spent too much time sniffing around the Handi.
Colin, all* of the cars featured on the KLASS forum fit into the "Kei-class", which is a special car class developed by the Japanese for vehicle owners who are unable to provide private parking space.
While the Kei-class is a Japanese initiative alone, and a compliance required of their road-mobile citizens without private parking space, special incentives are beginning to be implemented in Europe to try and reduce the car-clutter in many European cities, as well as general environmental impact like road upkeep and smog, etc. Things like half-price parking for "Smart-cars" over larger vehicles and other such stuff.
It would appear that the union responsible for the implementation of the Smart-car policy modelled their restrictions on the well-established Kei-class structure, which I guess gives interested punters some degree choice in vehicle purchase rather than a Mercedes/Fiat monopoly.
With the misguided perception of European cars as being "prestige vehicles" in Australia it's easy to see how such a practical city commuting solution by one of the most respected vehicle manufacturers could be thought of as odd. You may be suprised though at how these little critters are embraced throughout Europe. The European folk don't tend to suffer from our American-influenced theory of
x¹ = x²
where x¹ = engine displacement (cc) and x² = penis length (cm)
* with the exception of Brayden's screw-ups
Colin, all* of the cars featured on the KLASS forum fit into the "Kei-class", which is a special car class developed by the Japanese for vehicle owners who are unable to provide private parking space.
While the Kei-class is a Japanese initiative alone, and a compliance required of their road-mobile citizens without private parking space, special incentives are beginning to be implemented in Europe to try and reduce the car-clutter in many European cities, as well as general environmental impact like road upkeep and smog, etc. Things like half-price parking for "Smart-cars" over larger vehicles and other such stuff.
It would appear that the union responsible for the implementation of the Smart-car policy modelled their restrictions on the well-established Kei-class structure, which I guess gives interested punters some degree choice in vehicle purchase rather than a Mercedes/Fiat monopoly.
With the misguided perception of European cars as being "prestige vehicles" in Australia it's easy to see how such a practical city commuting solution by one of the most respected vehicle manufacturers could be thought of as odd. You may be suprised though at how these little critters are embraced throughout Europe. The European folk don't tend to suffer from our American-influenced theory of
x¹ = x²
where x¹ = engine displacement (cc) and x² = penis length (cm)
* with the exception of Brayden's screw-ups
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Renault and Citroen have been using 3-stud hubs for decades.
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Crazy frogs...
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