From minimalist cars -- such as the King Midget -- to the Batmobile, the Unusual Cars section boasts extraordinary vehicles. Also in the mix: the Jeep Hurricane, smart cars and the Gibbs Aquada.

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REFERENCE LINKS

Please copy/paste the following text to properly cite this How Stuff Works article:

Grabianowski, Ed. "How the Smart Car Works." 04 August 2006. HowStuffWorks.com. <http://auto.howstuffworks.com/smart-car.htm> 17 May 2008.

by Ed Grabianowski

Inside This Article

Introduction to How the Smart Car Works

Smart Car Safety

Smart Car Features and Gas Mileage

Other Mercedes Smart Cars

Smart Car Competitors

Smart Cars in the U.S.

Lots More Information

See all Unusual Cars articles

Other Mercedes Smart Cars

In addition to the Fortwo varieties, Smart has also sold a Smart Roadster and the Forfour, a more conventional vehicle that seats four. Disappointing sales led to the end of the Forfour line in 2005, but Smart may still sell Forfours in the United States. Plans for a Smart SUV (the Formore) indicate that the pint-sized 4 x 4 will be produced in Brazil, with half of all Formores built intended for the U.S. market [ref].

Image courtesy ©1998-2006 DaimlerChrysler. All rights reserved.
Cutaway view of the Smart Roadster

Image courtesy ©1998-2006 DaimlerChrysler. All rights reserved.
Smart Roadster Coupe

Smart has also partnered with Mercedes tuning company BRABUS to produce several BRABUS-edition cars. The BRABUS Fortwo features a 74-hp engine, but the extra weight added by BRABUS body styling and interior features mean this version actually accelerates more slowly than a Pulse or Passion Fortwo (the speed governor remains at 84 mph). The BRABUS three-spoke steering wheel has push-button gear shifters. The BRABUS Black Star Fortwo will boost the hp up to 101. Mercedes will produce only 101 units of the limited edition car [ref]. BRABUS is also producing exclusive Fourfour and exclusive Roadster editions.