Like a phone has certain smart features and falls under the “smartphone” category, the same holds for cars.
In standard terms, smart cars are those cars that utilize the most recent and most trendsetting innovation, beneficial for both humans and the environment.
The fundamental thought behind such cars is that we are making driving more secure as we approach the possibility of an autonomous car.
It goes on the fact that humans cause very nearly 90% of road mishaps.
Thus, with smart cars running on the road, the probability of such human mistakes will come down, and road driving will become more secure and smooth.
Furthermore, the small and compact design of cars helps to expand the utilization of the available room. It leads to improved proficiency all around in the car, even if it’s the interior.
Such design makes smart cars normally stand-out in appearance, and at first sight, they will appear like miniature cubical boxes with wheels, doors, and glasses.
Initially, this design was to counter the high fuel costs in the United States during the 2008 emergency.
Most importantly, the prime facet of a smart car that catches all attention is its weight. If you want to know more about its weight, read further.
What is the average smart car weight?
The average weight of a smart car between the first and second-generation models developed in the USA is around 1550 pounds.
For the latest generations of smart cars, the weight increases to around 1850 pounds. This weight further alters based upon the modifications and soft-top conversion.
The other details are in a table form below.
| Another name | Smart city coupé (1998-2002) and Smart Fortwo (after facelift) |
| Production | 1998-2002 |
| Design | Hatchback with 3-doors |
| Engine capacity | Petrol: 0.6-0.7 L Diesel: 0.8 L |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic transmission |
| Wheelbase | 1810 mm |
| Length | 2500 mm |
| Height | 1500 mm |
| Width | 1510 mm |
| Curb weight | 1610 lbs |
Second-generation (build series W451, 2007–2014)
| Production | 2007-2014 |
| Design | Hatchback with 3-doors |
| Engine capacity | Petrol: 1.0 L Diesel: 0.8 L |
| Transmission | 5-speed automatic transmission |
| Wheelbase | 1867 mm |
| Length | 2895 mm |
| Width | 1559 mm |
| Height | 1542 mm |
| Curb weight | 1653-1753 lbs |
Third-generation (build series C453, A453, 2016–present)
| Production | 2016-present (global gas/electric) |
| Design | Hatchback with 3-doors and cabriolet with 2-doors |
| Engine capacity | Petrol: 1.0 L Diesel: 0.9 L |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual, 6-speed dual-clutch automatic |
| Wheelbase | 1873 mm |
| Length | 2695 mm |
| Width | 1663 mm |
| Height | 1555 mm |
| Curb weight | 1940 lbs |
Factors that determine the weight of a smart car
In the context of a smart car, it’s its weight only that determines its uniqueness in every aspect. For example, consider safety.
There’s an old saying that the heavier your car is, the better safety it provides. It’s a myth, frankly speaking.
A smart car weighs too little compared to a usual car parked on the roads, yet it’s the safest one as the less weight of a smart car includes the necessary safety features.
Be it 4/6 airbags, or the built-in protective head and neck rest, or the specially and securely designed bucket seats, all fit very well inside a smart car’s minimal weight.
The OEM-certified seat belts also add more protection. Additionally, the smart car’s stability is due to its shockers and suspension that add to its overall weight.
A smart car’s interior has a Tridion safety shell that absorbs the collision impact at speeds up to 70-80 kmph. Hence, the above safety features plus others in different models affect the car’s weight.
Other things that determine the weight of a smart car include the instrument cluster, soft top material, additional safety reinforcements in the room and around, torsional bulkheads present under the car, etc.
In a nutshell, the number of components and their weights determine the smart car’s final weight.
Ways to know the exact weight of your smart car
If you want to measure your smart car’s exact weight, you can follow these three common ways.
1. Curb weight
The car’s curb weight encompasses the car itself, 3/4th of the fuel tank, and the original company-fitted car accessories, both inside and outside, like the headlights, speaker system, etc.
Curb weight works as a general static in the car showrooms. For a smart car, the curb weight is around 1035-1095 kgs or 2200+ pounds.
2. GVW or the Gross Vehicle Weight
The second way to measure a smart car weight is the gross vehicle weight that includes the curb weight, the passengers’ weight, the weight of the other company-fitted components, and the volume of baggage it can hold. Knowing these things helps you use your car day-to-day.
3. Vehicle payload
The vehicle payload includes everything, including the towing weight the car can carry. That’s, the vehicle payload includes:
- The passenger weight,
- Total weight of the various components,
- Baggage volume,
- The curb weight of the smart car,
- And last, the towing weight it can carry.
Hence, these are the three ways to determine the exact weight of a smart car.
4. The weight distribution of a smart car
Now comes the weight distribution of a smart car. Usually, most smart cars feature an equally distributed weight between the front and back of the car.
That’s, a smart car gets a 50-50 weight distribution modeling. Why? Any car with an even weight diffusion will, in general, run a lot quicker than the others.
Such a weight distribution additionally dives excellent mileage under all situations and terrains.
However, it isn’t generally plausible to accomplish the specific 50-50 weight appropriation. Thus, a few models settle with 45/55 with similar pros and cons.
For instance, we should take a gander at the car’s brakes.
In general, in cars with the extra load on the front wheels, the front brakes are prone to get worn out quicker than the rear end’s brakes.
The need for an early replacement of the front brakes before the back brakes leads to ongoing expenses.
Once fixed, they will work in a way that is better than the back brakes since they are pristine.
It again causes a counterbalance while applying the brakes. As the two brakes are in different conditions (new and old), it prompts uneven wear between the front and back.
Hence, a decent smart car weight allotment implies the brakes will wear equitably and ask for a replacement at roughly a similar time.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What is the heavy part of a car?
Ans: Considering a car to weigh approximately 1300-1500 pounds, here are the heaviest parts of a car:
- The engine, including the car’s transmission, forms around 15-20% of its overall weight.
- Wheels, weighing around 44-48 pounds each, or 176 pounds or 8% of the total car weight.
- The car’s battery weighs around 40+ pounds.
So, the heaviest part of a car is the engine, including the transmission.
2. Which is the heaviest car ever made?
Ans: The heaviest car ever made is the Mercedes-Benz 770 that weighs close to 5 tons or 10,583 pounds (4800 kgs). It houses the armor-steel body, a massive capacity engine (around 460-cubic), and is a massive 19-feet long.
3. Are lightweight smart cars safe?
Ans: No, it’s the biggest myth that the heavier a car gets, the safer it is. According to the carmakers, a car’s weight has nothing to do with the car’s safety.
Every car has a crumple zone designed that absorbs the impact during the collision.
If the crumple zone is not present, it doesn’t matter what the car’s weight is; the real impact will get transferred to the cabin.
Hence, even if a heavy car lacks a crumple zone, it’s unsafe, and if a lightweight car features one, it’s highly safe and secure.
Conclusion
So, this article is all about the smart car weight, and by now, you must’ve understood why the weight of a smart car is a useful parameter.
It not only delivers superior mileage but also lowers down the transportation costs, if any. Further, an even smart car weight distribution aids in car handling and renders additional safety.
Considering all the pros of a smart car, if you want something at a better price with no compromise on the other factors of the vehicle, a smart car is what you should get.
