Friday 24th January 2003

Smart gets ESP

Fancy traction control system for smart cars

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[chris.mapey]

I thought that these had already got ESP, called Trust+, brakes each wheel individually, TC is also as standard.

We own a 2000 Smart, and the yellow "naughty boy" light (TC & Trust+) flashes away every time I drive the car.

So much for the comment " Smart cars aren't known for their on the limit handling, probably because no one goes near the limit in the diminutive city cars" have the wide front wheels fitted, chip the car to 75bhp, and drive it like a roly-poly go kart. It's fun in a perverse way....

OK - I'm now ready to be shot down in flames / committed etc.

[d_drinks]

With you on this one - have a Jack Black Smart Pulse that is a hoot to drive even with the Trust + in place (this can be removed for about £60.00) - as already said the Trust + does the stability assist and TC role fairly well i.e. it cuts in all the time !! The hill start would be a help though....

[Podie]

With the trust+ removed... a bit of heavy right foot.. you can actually get these things sideways with some effort..

[d_drinks]

Was talking to a few people before buying my Samrt and found a few who races the little things, or what !! The can get them up to 120BHP and sideways is a major option as the trust is removed - think a 450BHP Cerbie in the rain would be safer !!

[rich 36]

But surely the pizza's your delivering in them would slide off the seats!

[chris.mapey]

Try using the handbrake on gravel - the car gets sideways, then the Trust + seems to have a fit and almost stops the car...that almost always puts the pizza in the footwell!!!

We are thinking of p/x the smart in for a new MINI cooper / cooper S what are these like, anyone have any experience?

[d_drinks]

There is a great picture on smartsrus.com which shows a smart parked on its tailgate with the caption 'don't ask us to remove the Trust +' Think it's an old newpaper article but still a great little pic !! Think I might ask anyway

[S2N]

When I chipped mine I got switchable trust plus....makes for great fun in a snow filled car park!

Plus they do fantastic handbrake turns in wet fields!



(Disclaimer, I dont endorse such silly behaviour)