2008 Smart ForTwo Pricing Announced

Smart has finally released pricing for its teensy ForTwo, which goes on sale in the first quarter of 2008. As promised, the base model coupe, the "Pure" starts under $12,000 - significantly under that number at $11,590. You don't get much for that price, though - it includes a 71-hp, 1.0-liter three-cylinder with five-speed automated manual transmission, central remote locking, and a leather steering wheel. And not much else. The "Passion" coupe is likely the one most buyers will choose - for $13,590, it adds a panorama roof, alloy wheels, air conditioning with climate control, shift paddles, power windows, power heated side mirrors, and a CD player. That's a whole lot of toys for two grand. Sun junkies will prefer the third model, the "Passion Cabrio", which, for $16,590 will give them everything the Passion coupe gets, but adds a fully automatic soft top and a premium sound system with an in-dash six-disc CD changer. If you're a believer that luxury features and small size aren't mutually exclusive, you can order an $850 comfort package that adds heated leather seats, power steering, rain and light sensors and auto-off headlamps. The Smart's option prices are just what you'd expect for a tiny little car - teensy. That's often not the case - it seems Smart's product planners were... um... smart.