An online news source is reporting that ....sorry, I'm almost not sure I can believe this, but that of all the car companies on the planet that offer their products on the U.S. market, SMART is about to show a pickup truck intended for the U.S. market. The "tentative" name for this truck is Forus (FOR the U.S. get it?). Said product will be unveiled at the Detroit show.
Her's hoping SMART does a better job this time, of judging what will "work" in the U.S. market.
God knows we would have never bought Smart Roadsters!!!
Tell ya what, just open up that bed cover as shown here and we can call it a pickup. I will take mine with a cap on the back.
I'm still amazed we never got the SMART Roadster. I remember the 1st one I saw was on the roof of COBO hall. Silver with Manufactor's plates. funny thing is? that was the year they were showing the Roadster inside during NAIAS.
I too sat in and touched one at NAIAS that year and was ready to replace the Miata or at the very least, add it to the Miata. It's not arriving was one of my greatest automotive disappointments.
They stopped making them because poor build quality made them unprofitable. (Recalls are expensive.) There have been rumors of them resurrecting the roadster using a Renault chassis
Old news..
JoeyM wrote: There have been rumors of them resurrecting the roadster using a Renault chassis
In that case, they should just build these again and call them a Smart. I'd be in line to buy it...
The biggest problem with the Renault Spider was the existence of the Lotus Elise 
The biggest problem I have with it is that I can't legally drive a Sport Spider or an S1 Elise in this country. 
The biggest problem with the Renault Spider was the existence of the Lotus Elise
And the fact that they somehow competed in price? I would see THAT as the problem, if true.
They were direct competitors - stripped down lightweight mid-engined sports cars. Both were introduced in 1995.
The Lotus was significantly less expensive (£18,950 vs £25,000), lighter (1485 lbs vs 2050 lbs), was faster, had a roof and windshield and handled better.
MG_Bryan wrote:JoeyM wrote: There have been rumors of them resurrecting the roadster using a Renault chassisIn that case, they should just build these again and call them a Smart. I'd be in line to buy it...
Wirewheel has been trying to sell this one for ages. I defy you to find parts...
motomoron wrote:MG_Bryan wrote:Wirewheel has been trying to sell this one for ages. I defy you to find parts...JoeyM wrote: There have been rumors of them resurrecting the roadster using a Renault chassisIn that case, they should just build these again and call them a Smart. I'd be in line to buy it...
Eh bien mon salaud. If I could register it, I'd take your challenge. As things are I can't have a car I can't keep plates on.
N Sperlo wrote: Old news..
Can't get a 4x8 sheet of plywood in it.
Can't fit a 4x8 sheet of plywood flat in the bed of my Dodge 2500 either, but it's not a small pickup.
N Sperlo wrote: Old news..
An El Festiva...nice.
wouldn't be an El Festiva. would be a Festivero..
N Sperlo wrote: Old news..
I cant tell if thats real or 'shopped.
There is a Geo Metro a few miles away from me with this treatment. A good 75% of the "bed" is taken up by one of those drop in toolboxes for a pickup truck.
Not sure how thats better than a hatchback but whatever.
In reply to failboat:
I've seen that Metro around. It doesn't look nearly as good as the Festiva.
failboat wrote:N Sperlo wrote: Old news..I cant tell if thats real or 'shopped. There is a Geo Metro a few miles away from me with this treatment. A good 75% of the "bed" is taken up by one of those drop in toolboxes for a pickup truck. Not sure how thats better than a hatchback but whatever.
Not shopped. The back was rather sloppily chopped. Theres a more impressive Escort somewhere around StL.
Keith wrote: The Lotus was significantly less expensive (£18,950 vs £25,000), lighter (1485 lbs vs 2050 lbs), was faster, had a roof and windshield and handled better.
Yeah, but other than that...
The Subaru Baja, the Ford Explorer Sport-trac.
N Sperlo wrote:failboat wrote:Not shopped. The back was rather sloppily chopped. Theres a more impressive Escort somewhere around StL.N Sperlo wrote: Old news..I cant tell if thats real or 'shopped. There is a Geo Metro a few miles away from me with this treatment. A good 75% of the "bed" is taken up by one of those drop in toolboxes for a pickup truck. Not sure how thats better than a hatchback but whatever.
You'll need to log in to post.
