Why is Smart Fortwo 70/80mpg in Europe but only 40+mpg in USA?

Question

is Daimler in cahoots with the Big Oil companies?

Answer 1

I do not know the exact answer for your question. Consumer Reports tested a Canadian Fortwo with the 40hp turbo diesel engine. It averaged about 43 mpg. In the UK, Smart claims that with the turbocharged 50hp gasoline engine, the Urban mileage is about 46mpg, with a Combined of about 59mpg. Due to its marginal performance and diminutive size, I doubt you will see many of these cars on the Interstate or Autobahn. Therefore I would say that a real-world average mileage of about 45 is probably accurate.

Answer 2

One factor may be conversion from an MPG figure in Imperial gallons (which are about 4.5 liters) vs. U.S. Gallons (which are about 3.8 gallons). That would account for a 20% difference if you have an MPG number from the U.K. press or U.K. government tests.

Another potential difference is engine. Per smart's website, they have two gas engines and one diesel for sale in Europe: all three will have different gas mileage figures. Depending on what Smart was tested in the U.S., that will impact the difference.

You might be comparing a number from a government test in Europe vs. a real-world number from the USA. (Government tests get better mileage than observed in the real world regardless of country.)

Whatever other difference you see can be attributable to the source; if they don't use the same, controlled testing criteria, the MPG number is going to vary widely, even if the engine and other factors are the same. A car magazine road test in Europe and one here are going to have different results based on the terrain, weather, driver and the engine and equipment level if they're just calculating a number while driving around.

Answer 3

Considering the Big Oil companies deal with the world (not just the US) that statement makes no sense.
What does make sense is that the Smart would have to be tuned/geared(or complete engine swap) for the US market. When they first came out, top speed was 135kph(80mph)when tested in Canada. That is with one person. "US import demands" probably required a higher speed.
In Europe, where they have been paying dollars for a litre(or quart) of fuel for years, the engine can be downsized for that market. They have no expansive highway system. There are regulations to travel on the Autobahn so many vehicles don't use it (because they are too slow)

Answer 4

You sure it's not 70/80 km/litre in Europe?