redLEAF
Well-known member
For those who plan to go to the Chicago Auto Show, smart has a Cabrio electric drive car on display!!
The smart rep talked to my wife at the show while my son and I checked out the modest display (as always ... never a big splash!).
Anyway, my wife mentioned that we own an older gas-powered one and were quite interested in the electric drive version so she was offered a $500 Chicago Auto Show discount towards a new one that we already got the email on thanks to her registering us; interestingly enough the 'coupon' disclaimer says:
"This offer is not valid on previous purchases and electric drive pre-registration."
So I would guess walk-in's only ? Loved the gray matte finish on one of the display cars and the mini-display did seem to get a number of people looking that had never heard of a smart so we chatted up a few who were the more interested ... some of course mocked the small size, etc. but several were enthusiastic.
My personal web site is having a few issues with the service provider so photos will need to come later ... the best news the rep told us is that the electric drive should be coming to Chicago in April so we'll see. One or two other things I noticed is that they still do smaller front/larger rear tires (155's on front, 175's on rear) and this Cabrio had a weird looking piece on the roof, too small for a wind spoiler as well as an antenna but will hopefully be able to post photos soon as well as over on the more mainstream smart forums for feedback ... ours is an '08 non-Cabrio (full pano roof) so perhaps this new thingie came along afterwards.
The smart rep also specifically mentioned about the 10% MSRP IL EPA rebate so perhaps smart was proactive with our state EPA on getting the electric drive model added to the eligible list so will contact my IL EPA rep to check that as well; of course being 100% electric it qualifies for the $7,500 Fed Tax Credit.
The charge port 'door' as already shown in other photos, is exactly where (passenger side rear) the gas filler door goes and it does indeed 'lock' the actual connector cover (could not unlatch it on the show model) so this location actually works to our advantage where our L2 charger is in the garage and where the smart will get typically parked for charging alongside our LEAF; no quick charge port like all the Fords' and Volt either but that's OK with us.
This You Tube video shows them making smart electric drive's bound for the USA:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P17nS3XMxkw[/youtube]
The smart rep talked to my wife at the show while my son and I checked out the modest display (as always ... never a big splash!).
Anyway, my wife mentioned that we own an older gas-powered one and were quite interested in the electric drive version so she was offered a $500 Chicago Auto Show discount towards a new one that we already got the email on thanks to her registering us; interestingly enough the 'coupon' disclaimer says:
"This offer is not valid on previous purchases and electric drive pre-registration."
So I would guess walk-in's only ? Loved the gray matte finish on one of the display cars and the mini-display did seem to get a number of people looking that had never heard of a smart so we chatted up a few who were the more interested ... some of course mocked the small size, etc. but several were enthusiastic.
My personal web site is having a few issues with the service provider so photos will need to come later ... the best news the rep told us is that the electric drive should be coming to Chicago in April so we'll see. One or two other things I noticed is that they still do smaller front/larger rear tires (155's on front, 175's on rear) and this Cabrio had a weird looking piece on the roof, too small for a wind spoiler as well as an antenna but will hopefully be able to post photos soon as well as over on the more mainstream smart forums for feedback ... ours is an '08 non-Cabrio (full pano roof) so perhaps this new thingie came along afterwards.
The smart rep also specifically mentioned about the 10% MSRP IL EPA rebate so perhaps smart was proactive with our state EPA on getting the electric drive model added to the eligible list so will contact my IL EPA rep to check that as well; of course being 100% electric it qualifies for the $7,500 Fed Tax Credit.
The charge port 'door' as already shown in other photos, is exactly where (passenger side rear) the gas filler door goes and it does indeed 'lock' the actual connector cover (could not unlatch it on the show model) so this location actually works to our advantage where our L2 charger is in the garage and where the smart will get typically parked for charging alongside our LEAF; no quick charge port like all the Fords' and Volt either but that's OK with us.
This You Tube video shows them making smart electric drive's bound for the USA:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P17nS3XMxkw[/youtube]
