This Smart is an EV, too. Power comes from its 55 kilowatt electric motor, producing 95 lb-ft of torque with a top speed of 75 miles per hour. To keep things green, the rechargeable motor also recharges those aforementioned ebikes.

Designers skipped adding a rear view mirror, instead trying out a camera with feed transmitted to complimentary smartphone mounted in the for-us dash.

Smart for-us makes its world debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, January 14th – 22nd.

Pics: LLN

The entire plan is the brainchild of Mercedes-Benz, now owner of the Smart franchise.

Smart will bring ‘ForFour’ (a four-seater based on the next ForTwo with rear-wheel drive / a rear mounted engine) to the United States in 2015.

But that’s not all; the ForTwo electric (pictured above) is getting a revamp, including updated lithium-ion batteries and flashy interior. A replacement for ForTwo is also due out in 2014. Finally, the Smart eBike will be available via online order or through select dealerships.

Source: WCF

Combining compact design and green energy, ForVision might be the first of its kind. The lightweight material used to construct the vehicle is matted to the transparent organic solar cells on its roof, which “generate enough energy to power the multimedia components even in poor lighting conditions.” These cells have organic light-emitting diodes that illuminate the vehicle’s interior when a door is ajar.

Other additions to the vehicle are all light in weight: plastic wheels (at 6.6 pounds), carbon-fiber reinforced resin doors, plastic seats (with lightweight cushioning) and infrared-reflecting film on the windows.

Source: WCF

Forspeed uses a 40-hp electric motor that sends power to the rear wheels. The driver may make use of a 7-hp boost that doesn’t exactly send the car flying, but helps it reach its 75 mph top speed. Meant for urban transit, the Forspeed travels up to 84 miles on a single charge.

It was showcased next to a new all-electric scooter and bicycle, items the Smart brand plans to sell next year. Defining characteristics, like over-sculpted body work, contrasting colors, and LED lighting are shared across the line. The new Smart fortwo and re-released forfour five-door should hit the market in 2014.

Smart’s leasing a fleet of 250 cars to individuals and corporate fleets as sort of a test run. Full vehicle production is slated for 2012, and pricing has yet to be announced.

“This is a groundbreaking day for smart in the United States,” Smart USA President Jill Lajdziak said in a statement. “We are extremely excited to add the smart fortwo electric drive to the smart product lineup, solidifying our position as a key player in transportation electrification.”

The Smart ForTwo Electric Drive, developed with help from Tesla Motors, has a 40 horsepower electric motor and a 16.5 kWh lithium-ion battery.

The battery pack is good for a claimed 98 miles on the LA4 test cycle, but the EPA pegs the real-world figure at 63 miles. It’s good to go in eight hours when plugged into a 220 volt socket. The pack is 80 percent “full” at 3.5 hours.

The Source: CNET

The Smart ForTwo LightShine is a different approach towards the popular ForTwo nameplate, currently available at dealerships globally.

Based on Smart’s coupe, the LightShine features “an exclusive matte green exterior with body-color bumpers, LED daytime running lights and unique ‘Pulse’ alloy wheels.” Inside, there’s navigation (with CD/DVD/SD functionality), a sporty steering wheel, and special floor mats.

Power for the Smart ForTwo LightShine is provided by an 800cc three-cylinder CDI engine that produces 54 horsepower and 96 lb-ft of torque. It accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 16.8 seconds, before hitting a top speed of 84 miles per hour.

Source: WCF

Rental Profile:
2 Door, hi-mileage, low emissions
Now it’s easy to go green, save money on gas, and fit into even the tiniest parking spaces when you rent a Smart Car from Avis! This innovative vehicle offers maximum comfort, agility, safety, ecology, and driving fun. The low CO2 emissions, fuel-efficient, non-hybrid Smart Car has an estimated MPG rating of 33 city/42 highway. Experience the engineering expertise of a luxury car, backed by the latest active and passive safety features for children as well as adults. With Smart Cars, less is more!

Who should consider renting a Smart Car?
Business and vacation travelers who are looking for a rental car that has great gas mileage, is easy to drive and park on crowded city streets will love the Smart Car. Avis now has Smart Cars for rent in many popular vacation and business destinations across the U.S.

Smart Car Details
Seating Capacity:
X 2
Luggage Capacity:
Fuel Economy Range:
41 mpg Hwy, 33 mpg City
Car Class:
Subcompact

Smart’s construction, both size and in the bio-degradable/recyclable materials both interior and exterior are constructed from are so overly-”green” that the Environmental Protection Agency has classified it as a SmartWay vehicle, for low air pollution and greenhouse gas scores. As the car is so small, you won’t need to circle city blocks endlessly in search of a spot – as it is pretty much a perfect urban ride. This cuts own on emissions as well, – Smart’s fuel efficiency ratings range from 33 miles per gallon city to 41 highway.

Ok, so that’s kinda green – but what’s it cost? Cheaper then a Toyota Prius or even Honda’s Insight – your average Smart starting costs hover around $12,000 USD (less then some pre-owned Cadillacs!) – With a low-insurance rate and a future electric-hybrid version of fortwo to come, Smart will most likely stay near the top of most “Green” car enthusiasts list for years.

The brand is launching a new cupcake and, much to our clogged arteries content, a 125,000 carton cupcake giveaway, a mobile tour, a Twitter feed, a YouTube channel, a Flickr photostream, event marketing, TV spots and blog posts (ahem, want to send me some cupcakes Little Debbie??) and the giving away of two Smartcars. From October 11 through December 12, a truck filled with branded Smart cars will stop in Washington, DC, Philadelphia, New York City, Boston, Manchester, NH, Hartford, CT, Scranton, PA, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Detroit, Chicago, St. Louis, Atlanta, Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Phoenix and Los Angeles.

“Our goal was to create a bigger-than-life campaign that could be leveraged across every medium imaginable,” says Luckie & Co. Executive Vice President/Creative Director Brad White. “Who could resist a Smart Car wrapped like a Little Debbie Cupcake? Come to think of it, who could resist a Little Debbie Cupcake?”