For smart owners, there is exciting news from the 2008 SEMA show in Las Vegas. NEW COOL STUFF for smarts coming soon!!! I am pleased to add that not only did I find several custom smarts at SEMA, but I also had a chance to visit at length with the vendors. When it comes to wheels, bolt-on intake, cat-back exhaust systems and body kits, you have a lot of well-executed choices. Photos can be viewed at http://picasaweb.google.com/gofazt/SmartAtSEMA2008#
If you are not familiar with SEMA, it’s the annual schmooze-fest for the auto industry. The emphasis is on after-market and OE. The size and scope of SEMA would boggle the mind for the uninitiated. It’s my 12th consecutive show, (this year working at the Proving Grounds.) As a smart owner, I cut to the chase and found the smarts. Here is what I learned:
My top pick has to be the ACE DeCorsa 15” wheel which debuted at SEMA. They are front and rear OE replacement wheels that earned a spot in the Best New Products Showcase. That means you can use your original size tires on these wheels. Boris Tilim from SmartMadness.com stated that they will be a retail outlet. The price is quite reasonable. They are very well crafted. Both black and red accent are offered, although Boris affirmed they will offer custom color matching.
The George Barris Batsmart was a whimsical show-stopper. According to Omar Anguiano of Vertical Doors, the Batsmart was created in honor of the 42nd anniversary of the original Batmobile. The connection? It’s a play on the name “ForTwo.” Omar also added that 40 Batsmarts will be created as limited, numbered and signed editions. I asked why not build 42 Batsmarts? Omar replied that it is being discussed. New smart mods will be available soon at Smart42Parts.com. Additionally, their bolt-on vertical door kit is now modified to allow the door to lift higher. Before, the height was limited by the antenna. In their new kit, the antenna gets replaced by a stubby roof-mount antenna. More info is available at VerticalDoors.com.
If you are into serious ink, then the Ed Hardy edition smart might be your cup of tea. Limited to 100, these satin white or satin black custom cars include custom Ed Hardy tattoo inspired paint schemes, wheels, embroidered leather seats, red accent stitching, bumpin’ Kenwood 6.1 touch screen sound/nav system, Bluetooth, iPod interface and Sirius radio just name a few. A performance package is also available. More details are at EdHardeySmartCar.com. The sound/nav plus other cool stuff is available at 4smartcar.com.
Two featured products rang big bells with me. Doug Thorley headers featured a custom SmartMadness.com car in their booth. His cat-back exhaust was also in the Best New Products Showcase. This cat-back system adds 6 hp at the wheel, and bumps torque by 14 ft lbs. For those of you craving better fuel economy, this is money. There are two configurations. One for stock bodies the other is a center dual exhaust for custom rear valances. MSRP is $349 and $399 respectively. A third configuration will be available soon. It’s a twin dual exhaust.
Next up on my shopping list is a polished stainless mesh grill like the one in the Carlsson exhibit. The Carlsson custom body kit featured an aggressive front fascia which isn’t really conveyed by the pictures. The rear valance houses their dual twin exhaust. Juan Velez of GGI European Tuning gave me a guided tour. They did an exceptional job presenting their custom smarts. They also offer a lowered suspension, fog lights, and sharp 1/11 Evo BE wheels. More info is available at ggituning.com. Follow the links to the Carlsson smart stuff.
Team Dynamics’ smart stopped me in my tracks. They brought over their custom 16” SMARTIE wheels from England. They will be available soon thru SmartMadness.com. The matt black and polished silver wheels were shown. What was not displayed, but pictured in their brochure was the black/machined face wheel. Frankly, these wheels look hot and I’d be eager to see the black/machined face in person.
SmartMadness.com had several entries. I missed the orange smart, but did catch sight of their wild green machine. I first spied this car at Mercedes of Buckhead while working an AMG drive event. I nic’d it “That 70’s smart” because of the green velvet and flower-power interior. Far out, man.
SmartMadness.com had scads of goodies on their featured smart in the 303 Products showcase. Boris and Rachel (Smart Gurl,) gave me a lengthy detailed tour of nifty new interior and exterior products. The neoprene seat covers are fabulous! The airbags will still work thru the side opening in the cover. What’s more, they offer an optional manually inflatable built-in lumbar support. Carbon-fiber look wraps on dash and roll bar looked authentic. A new burl wood look will be available soon.
Best of all, Boris said they will be offering a newly revised intake system which includes a rain splash shield. No performance numbers are available, but add their newly released intake scoop plus a Thorley exhaust you will have a much happier breathing smart…hence better numbers all around. As they say, “work smart, not hard.”
Speaking of 303, their boat care kit is just the ticket for the Cabriolet owners. It’s perfect for preserving your canvas top.
I did not get a chance to meet any reps about the wheels on the Platinum Motorsport smart. Nicely done as you can see by the pictures.
I was amused to see that Pirelli’s lovely model/brand ambassador seemed to get less attention than the Mercedes-badged Euro smart in their display. Elsewhere, the Lucky Taco smart was worth a chuckle.
Last but certainly not least, I gleaned some news that is off the record from several vendors. I can’t say who from or where you can get it, but keep your ears and eyes open.
A performance flash for the ECU is available that almost completely eliminates the shift hesitation. There’s 24-hour turnaround and the program is invisible to the dealer.
You will soon be able to get headers for your smart. Strictly off-road, you know ;-)
A fully race-tuned suspension will also be on the market soon. The who and where from is very hush hush and I promised not to reveal that info. But you will definitely hear about it.
I have no doubt that there will be more smarts next year. With more and more of them becoming available, it could be the next hot project car for aftermarket exhibits, much like the new Mini and the Bug when they first hit the market. Bring it!
Until then, happy smarting!
If you are not familiar with SEMA, it’s the annual schmooze-fest for the auto industry. The emphasis is on after-market and OE. The size and scope of SEMA would boggle the mind for the uninitiated. It’s my 12th consecutive show, (this year working at the Proving Grounds.) As a smart owner, I cut to the chase and found the smarts. Here is what I learned:
My top pick has to be the ACE DeCorsa 15” wheel which debuted at SEMA. They are front and rear OE replacement wheels that earned a spot in the Best New Products Showcase. That means you can use your original size tires on these wheels. Boris Tilim from SmartMadness.com stated that they will be a retail outlet. The price is quite reasonable. They are very well crafted. Both black and red accent are offered, although Boris affirmed they will offer custom color matching.
The George Barris Batsmart was a whimsical show-stopper. According to Omar Anguiano of Vertical Doors, the Batsmart was created in honor of the 42nd anniversary of the original Batmobile. The connection? It’s a play on the name “ForTwo.” Omar also added that 40 Batsmarts will be created as limited, numbered and signed editions. I asked why not build 42 Batsmarts? Omar replied that it is being discussed. New smart mods will be available soon at Smart42Parts.com. Additionally, their bolt-on vertical door kit is now modified to allow the door to lift higher. Before, the height was limited by the antenna. In their new kit, the antenna gets replaced by a stubby roof-mount antenna. More info is available at VerticalDoors.com.
If you are into serious ink, then the Ed Hardy edition smart might be your cup of tea. Limited to 100, these satin white or satin black custom cars include custom Ed Hardy tattoo inspired paint schemes, wheels, embroidered leather seats, red accent stitching, bumpin’ Kenwood 6.1 touch screen sound/nav system, Bluetooth, iPod interface and Sirius radio just name a few. A performance package is also available. More details are at EdHardeySmartCar.com. The sound/nav plus other cool stuff is available at 4smartcar.com.
Two featured products rang big bells with me. Doug Thorley headers featured a custom SmartMadness.com car in their booth. His cat-back exhaust was also in the Best New Products Showcase. This cat-back system adds 6 hp at the wheel, and bumps torque by 14 ft lbs. For those of you craving better fuel economy, this is money. There are two configurations. One for stock bodies the other is a center dual exhaust for custom rear valances. MSRP is $349 and $399 respectively. A third configuration will be available soon. It’s a twin dual exhaust.
Next up on my shopping list is a polished stainless mesh grill like the one in the Carlsson exhibit. The Carlsson custom body kit featured an aggressive front fascia which isn’t really conveyed by the pictures. The rear valance houses their dual twin exhaust. Juan Velez of GGI European Tuning gave me a guided tour. They did an exceptional job presenting their custom smarts. They also offer a lowered suspension, fog lights, and sharp 1/11 Evo BE wheels. More info is available at ggituning.com. Follow the links to the Carlsson smart stuff.
Team Dynamics’ smart stopped me in my tracks. They brought over their custom 16” SMARTIE wheels from England. They will be available soon thru SmartMadness.com. The matt black and polished silver wheels were shown. What was not displayed, but pictured in their brochure was the black/machined face wheel. Frankly, these wheels look hot and I’d be eager to see the black/machined face in person.
SmartMadness.com had several entries. I missed the orange smart, but did catch sight of their wild green machine. I first spied this car at Mercedes of Buckhead while working an AMG drive event. I nic’d it “That 70’s smart” because of the green velvet and flower-power interior. Far out, man.
SmartMadness.com had scads of goodies on their featured smart in the 303 Products showcase. Boris and Rachel (Smart Gurl,) gave me a lengthy detailed tour of nifty new interior and exterior products. The neoprene seat covers are fabulous! The airbags will still work thru the side opening in the cover. What’s more, they offer an optional manually inflatable built-in lumbar support. Carbon-fiber look wraps on dash and roll bar looked authentic. A new burl wood look will be available soon.
Best of all, Boris said they will be offering a newly revised intake system which includes a rain splash shield. No performance numbers are available, but add their newly released intake scoop plus a Thorley exhaust you will have a much happier breathing smart…hence better numbers all around. As they say, “work smart, not hard.”
Speaking of 303, their boat care kit is just the ticket for the Cabriolet owners. It’s perfect for preserving your canvas top.
I did not get a chance to meet any reps about the wheels on the Platinum Motorsport smart. Nicely done as you can see by the pictures.
I was amused to see that Pirelli’s lovely model/brand ambassador seemed to get less attention than the Mercedes-badged Euro smart in their display. Elsewhere, the Lucky Taco smart was worth a chuckle.
Last but certainly not least, I gleaned some news that is off the record from several vendors. I can’t say who from or where you can get it, but keep your ears and eyes open.
A performance flash for the ECU is available that almost completely eliminates the shift hesitation. There’s 24-hour turnaround and the program is invisible to the dealer.
You will soon be able to get headers for your smart. Strictly off-road, you know ;-)
A fully race-tuned suspension will also be on the market soon. The who and where from is very hush hush and I promised not to reveal that info. But you will definitely hear about it.
I have no doubt that there will be more smarts next year. With more and more of them becoming available, it could be the next hot project car for aftermarket exhibits, much like the new Mini and the Bug when they first hit the market. Bring it!
Until then, happy smarting!
2 Comments
- Comment by Logan J on November 10, 2008 at 8:26pm
- Thanks for the info. Wish I could have been at SEMA!
- Comment by SmartGurl on November 11, 2008 at 8:46pm
- This was the best summary ever! You couldn't have said it any better- kudos. I feel exhausted just reading it :)
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