Quote:
Originally Posted by kodos78
Think about how much better gas mileage (and cheaper!) Smart would get if it didn't have to meet some inane safety standard.
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Wouldn't matter if the U.S. changes it. They would still need to meet EUROCAP. Besides, Smart markets on the safety of their vehicles. Smart cars are built using a space frame, similar to the way that NASCAR cars are built. They're already pretty light. Compare this:
Smart ForTwo weights about 1600 lbs.
1991 Geo Metro XFi (60 MPG!) weighs about 1700 lbs.
2003 Corbin Sparrow weighs about 1350 lbs.
2006 Honda Insight weighs about 1850 lbs.
2008 BMW 1200RT Touring Bike weighs about 600 lbs.
2008 Chevrolet Aveo weights about 2400 lbs.
Stacks up pretty good - even against the Corbin Sparrow, which is 3-wheeled, single-passenger, electric microcar:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corbin_Sparrow
These passed DOT tests, BTW.
Like I said before, changing the current regulations would only serve to reinforce the notion that small cars are inherently unsafe and that the bar needs to be lowered for them. The IIHS crash test videos of non-conforming vehicles will be more than enough to scare most consumers away. I'm sure that insurance companies wouldn't treat them so kindly, either - negating any savings in gas versus a well-rated vehicle.