Is this a joke?

[TBR]

No, I haven't. But you don't get to shift through the gates or work the clutch, I fail to see how a SMG transmission is even close to a regular manual (ignoring speed of shifts of course).

[Raza]

I come down on the side of "SMG is not a real manual" simply because of the computer involvement.  I'd rather have one than an automatic, but not more than a standard three pedal manual, unless I'm in traffic jams everyday.

[Yoshi]

For those concerned about it tipping -- something like 85% of it's mass is literally in the floor -- it's batteries.

It has a very low center of gravity and is quite manuverable.  

[ifcar]

The site claims that it would get a 5-star rollover-resistance rating from NHTSA, so that seems accurate.  

[Raghavan]

It's a "Sequentronic" transmission- sequential manual.

NO clutch pedal = not a manual to me.

I actually agree with you there, SMG transmissions are no closer to manuals than manumatics are imho.

Have you driven an SMG transmission car before?

It is not the same as an automatic. There are alot more differences between an automatic and a manual than just the 3rd pedal. The biggest one for me is simple throttle response.

All you have to do is pull those wierd paddles on the back of the steering wheel. There's not much involvement in manuals. No shifting through the gates, no playing with the gas and clutch, and it's a TON more fun than an auto.

[Submariner]

For those concerned about it tipping -- something like 85% of it's mass is literally in the floor -- it's batteries.

It has a very low center of gravity and is quite manuverable.

So does the Mercedes 463.  It is a very low center of gravity, and a much wider track.  But I would never, ever try and manuver it around a track.  

[Raza]

I would.   :D  

[Raghavan]

For those concerned about it tipping -- something like 85% of it's mass is literally in the floor -- it's batteries.

It has a very low center of gravity and is quite manuverable.

So does the Mercedes 463.  It is a very low center of gravity, and a much wider track.  But I would never, ever try and manuver it around a track.

Yeah, i'd feel scared about driving this thing around a track.

[SargeMonkey]

Those acceleration numbers seem quite far-fetched...it weighs 3,000 pounds and is run on electricity, yet can attain a 0-60 time of 4 seconds and the 1/4 mile in 12 at 120 MPH...they can't be serious.

Thats a heavy little car, 10-1 odds my 81 civic is safer. And it goes 0-60 in about 5 seconds, unlike our camry, I floored it an didn't noitce. I've seen those on TV slow ugly, VERY small, and it does cost money to charge it, don't forget that. The civic, both, weigh in aat about 1100 pounds, but they have a 700 pound load capacity... Odd. The civic go 80, well the speedo do.  :D  

[CaseyNPham]

I really thought the picture was squashed.