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Smart Convertible (and Bike Friendly) Concept

admin — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 18:56:59 +0000

Smart has released sketches of their upcoming concept For-us, set to debut next month at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show. Even smaller than recent Smart Fortwo vehiclex, ForUs (forus, For-Us, and any other way you can think to spell it) is as wide open as they come. The bike-friendly car seats two, with a “hammock-like feel” that includes large rear compartment, capable of fitting two ebikes, also produced by the auto maker’s parent company.

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

New SmartCar Teased

admin — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 18:01:02 +0000

Smart and Brabus have teamed up to create a new automotive concept. Teased in this video, the car is rumored to be a follow-up of the “ForFour” vehicle, and will possibly hit a top speed of around 150 mph.

Geneva Motor Show: Smart Forspeed Concept

admin — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 21:39:20 +0000

Smart introduced their Forspeed concept at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. World Car Fans has the details:

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.

What Happened to Smart’s ForMore?

admin — Tue, 05 May 2009 18:09:49 +0000

Well this is the first we are hearing about it, but then again we’ve only been online for about one year. Did you know Smart was in the process of introducing a four-door, four-seat vehicle – the ForMore? This “SmartUV” was dug up by Jalopnik spy photographers while they broke into a Mercedes lock-up and tried snagging an SLK for themselves.

The Smart Concept reminds us of the Kia Rio5 but with a more European edge. The hatchback features four doors, four headlights, balled tires, a toothy grill and two ramscoops. It’s low-rise platform looks pretty swift, and can probably take an impact as well as the Smart Fortwo.

Inside, the ForMore has a roomier front compartment and a small rear – but smaller is better than none. There’s a nifty CD holder and a simple interior/dash design. ForMore was meant to be dropped at 2005′s Frankfurt Auto Show, but its debut was canceled when Mercedes halted the entire SmartUV program. Who knows, maybe the economy of auto companies worldwide will swing back upward, and we can see a Smart ForMore on the roads in times to come.

Smart Car ForTwo+2

admin — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 17:36:31 +0000

The tiny and successful Smart ForTwo may be getting a little bigger. Daimler is in the works designing a four-door Smart Car which can carry four people comfortably. It is tentatively being dubbed Smart ForTwo+2.

Smart ForTwo+2

Up until now, the major limitation of the minuscule city car has been its inability to carry an extra body or two. All that could change by 2012, according to Auto Express. The magazine released a rendering of a proposed Smart ForTwo+2. The car would have rear “suicide” doors, making access into the tiny rear a little easier. This will make the car a bit more competitive with base-level city cars like the Chevy Spark and Mazda2, and more premium vehicles, like Audi’s A1 Coupe.

Smart’s addition would likely stay as a rear-wheel-drive, keeping the engine below the floor of the trunk. The added length for the backseat comes from an elongated wheelbase. We are hoping the car will be available in several engine options, including hybrid drive and full electric mode.