Maggie earlier wrote about the smart car, and here’s an update. For those of you who've been waiting to buy a smart fortwo in the US, the wait will draw to a close in 2008. Yes, it is official! After the long period of speculation, and lots of hearsay about the Mercedes Benz smart car hitting the US markets, the official confirmation is finally out. The latest Benz smart fortwo line will be finally unveiled in the United States in the first quarter of 2008.

In their official press release, the company announced the successor to their smart fortwo - the new smart fortwo. The new smart car will be available in three models which are as yet unlisted. While the low fuel consumption and sleek looks of the existing smart fortwo have already triumphed in the European market, the success of the much awaited new smart fortwo on the American shores is yet to be seen. This time around, Daimler Chrysler has chosen the Michigan–based UnitedAuto Group to be their exclusive distributors. The U.S.A., as the world’s largest automotive market, will be the 37th market for smart.

Personally for me, owning a smart car has advantages that far outweigh its drawbacks. One of the major factors that go in its favour are its better-than-average fuel efficiency - invaluable in the face of rising gasoline prices. The other one is the added oomph factor which comes with zipping through clogged traffic with ease, though I will no longer have the luxury of bundling in my entire family (of 6 people at any given time) into the car to witness my driving prowess.

In all, a package that I would love to be seen in. You can view some of their impressive demos online. Our image is courtesy of the Unofficial Mercedes Benz weblog which has more “spy photographs” of the as yet unreleased smart fortwo.

More links : Casanova Cars, Behind the curtains