Extremely Smart Cars
By Carlson Smith
Photography by Nathan Coe
When you think green and automobiles, you may think boring. But that notion is changing fast, and in some cases extremely fast.
Of course, any car dealer will tell you what you want to hear, and that includes the fact that their cars – no matter how green they may be – are fun to drive. But we weren’t willing to take them on faith alone. We wanted to experience these mechanical marvels first-hand to see what they were really like on Nantucket’s roads. We discovered – and a very pleasant discovery it was – that each of these cars, though approaching the solution to fuel efficiency in different ways – were all a lot of fun to both look at and drive.
THE TESLA
Aptly named after Nicolai Tesla, one of the most brilliant inventors of the 19th Century, this car does not simply elevate your pulse. It is more like a defibrillator. Promoted during the Nantucket Comedy Festival this past August, the Tesla is a new breed of electric car that goes a G-force-inducing zero-to-sixty in 3.8 seconds.
The sound associated with the acceleration is the high-pitched whir of the
Batmobile, adding to the heart thumping experience of being behind the wheel
of this vehicle.
The acceleration of the Tesla is even more remarkable, given that it comes from an automatic transmission and only one moving part to the engine. The key to the speed of the car is the incredible torque available on electric motors and the liberal use of carbon fiber materials that keep this car a trim 2,900 pounds.
The Tesla shares a striking resemblance to the Lotus Elise, and actually uses some of the Elise’s body panels and racing lines. The interior is compact but comfortable, unless you happen to be over six-three, at which point it gets a little snug.
The range of the Tesla is 270 miles per charge, which simply means that the driver has to plug the car into a conventional socket when the battery runs low. The cost per mile, when factoring in the cost of your own electricity, is approximately 1.7 cents, versus a conventional gas-powered car that costs about 2.8 cents per mile
The price of the Tesla Roadster is $104,000, and a new sedan is being introduced in 2011 that starts at $49,000, which includes a $7500 US federal incentive. While the price of the Roadster is not as economical as its mileage, for a truly breathtaking driving experience that is indeed green, the Tesla is a truly remarkable car.
THE SMART CAR
First introduced in Europe in 1994 and manufactured by Daimler AG, the Smart Car has come to American shores courtesy of Nantucket summer resident and automotive icon Roger Penske. Mr. Penske controls the U.S. distribution of the brand, and sells Smart Cars through a national dealer network.
Weighing just 1100 pounds and measuring a diminutive six feet by four feet, the Smart Car is certainly the cutest vehicle on the road. One early marketing hook for the tiny cars was that they could be parked perpendicular to the curb. And while they physically are capable of fitting that way – the overall length of the car is roughly the same as the width of a standard car – would-be parking trend-setters have been warned that they may be subject to parking tickets for illegal parking.
Speaking of space-saving, what is most deceptive about the car is the interior roominess that can easily accommodate a six-foot tall man. Also surprising is that the Smart Car performs well on crash tests, according to federal government crash ratings.
This micro-sized vehicle offers more in the way of eco-friendliness: Because the car weighs so little, at the end of its useful life, it leaves behind less waste to clog up landfills. Another part of the car’s efficiency is its price tag, which starts at $11,990.
While the ground clearance of the Smart Car is just six inches – making it less-than-ideal on some sandy back roads – it is remarkably convenient to park in town, and simply a ball to drive on hard roads. With Roger Penske behind the wheel of the company, you can be sure of a steady stream of improvements and refinements to this highly intelligent vehicle.
FORD TRANSIT CONNECT
When Americans hear the name Ford, they naturally think of domestic cars. But this cutie screams European.
At six-feet-eight-inches tall, this compact and fuel efficient van is as cool as it is
clever. With 143 cubic feet of cargo space, this vehicle is ideal for carpenters, caterers or any other professional who needs a larger vehicle to transport their wares. It is also perfect for holding surfboards, bicycles and sports gear of any sort, and has customization written all over it.
With a 2.0 liter 136 horsepower gas engine and a four-speed automatic transmission, the Connect delivers 19 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. The van can hold up to 1600 pounds and is extremely comfortable to drive. Its road handling capabilities are surprisingly good and its seats are exceptionally comfortable.
The van is available as a panel truck or with side windows, which considerably aid the driver’s visual capabilities. It comes with a variety of options and is manufactured at Ford’s factory in Kocaeli, Turkey.
The Transit Connect starts at $21,475, and is available at Don Allen Ford. Even though it was designed as a commercial van, this vehicle could easily be one of the coolest cars on Nantucket next season.
