Chances are, you’ve probably seen this video online. It’s of a modified Smart out-running a Ferrari F430 in the quarter-mile. A company called Smartuki out of the UK actually makes a conversion kit that adapts a GSX-R 1000 engine to fit in the back of the smart. Since the engine sits fairly upright, you do sacrifice some cargo space to put the monster moto-mill in the back, but as you can see if you clicked on the video, the results are well worth it.

Chances are, you’ve probably seen this video online. It’s of a modified Smart out-running a Ferrari F430 in the quarter-mile. A company called Smartuki out of the UK actually makes a conversion kit that adapts a GSX-R 1000 engine to fit in the back of the smart. Since the engine sits fairly upright, you do sacrifice some cargo space to put the monster moto-mill in the back, but as you can see if you clicked on the video, the results are well worth it.

But my question is, with so many of the world’s major automakers also involved in motorcycles, how come we haven’t seen this type of “crossover” yet? Think about it. BMW, Honda, and Suzuki all have long and successful histories in building motorcycles.

Perhaps the reason the enthusiast community’s response to the smart has been less-than-overwhelming so far is because it’s motivated by a milquetoast 61 horsepower three-cylinder. But shove a 1100 or 1300cc 160-180 horse sportbike engine under the back with a paddle-shift sequential transmission and, all of a sudden, you’ve got one heck of a fun ride that’s a breeze to park and a blast to drive.

So my vote is for Suzuki, Honda, or even BMW to come up with a high-performance microcar that successfully blends the best of motorcycle and automotive technologies into a practical, fun-to-drive, efficient package that won’t break the bank, (say, $16-18,000?). I think it’s eminently doable, and whoever is first to market with this type of vehicle will be richly rewarded. Hopefully I won’t have to wait too long to find out.

- Edward A. Sanchez