Smart Forspeed Concept
Things are changing when 0-to-60 times proudly flaunted by auto manufacturers refer to reaching a speed in kilometers, rather than miles, per hour. Such is the case with Smart's Forspeed concept, which—as Daimler proudly informs us—reaches the equivalent of 37 mph in 5.5 seconds. This awesome performance is delivered by a 41-hp electric motor, and while the company doesn't provide a 0-to-60-mph figure, we are assured that this two-seater will accelerate all the way up to 75 mph. A push of a button adds another 7 hp, in case you are challenged to a race by any particularly muscular slugs.
This is not impressive by any standard, and we are more than a little surprised that Smart chose to name this concept Forspeed, which easily qualifies as the most absurd iteration of Smart's “Forwhatever” nomenclature to date. Here, the final “ED” in the name, which is written as ForspeED on the concept itself, is intended to reference Smart’s Fortwo Electric Drive; its powertrain is similar to this concept’s but the Fortwo ED is estimated to be a second slower to the 37-mph mark—the difference likely is due to the added weight of the production car’s roof. (The press release didn’t fill us in as to what the remaining “Forspe” part of the name refers.) In the Forspeed's defense, it will feel strong at step-off—for a few nanoseconds—thanks to the immediately available torque from the electric motor.
Electric cars without range-extending generators, of course, will be largely confined to urban areas, despite—or rather, because of—the fact that an "80-percent charge takes only 45 minutes," as the press release claims. That's slightly more time than an 80-percent refill of a gas tank takes. The Forspeed's range is claimed to be around 85 miles on a 100-percent charge. Some external solar cells help generate electricity as well, but only enough to power accessories or charge a phone.
Outside, the Forspeed provides a fresh interpretation of Smart's styling language. The body is soft and bulbous, giving an indication of the direction of future Smart design. The head- and taillights mirror each other, with two large LED rings and a round, white center section that doesn't illuminate. There is a teardrop motif to them, which reminds us of the last-generation Kia Picanto but is actually supposed to evoke raindrops on the windshield of an airplane.
In that vein, the Forspeed's windshield is styled to look like it belongs on a vintage propeller plane, and the gray strip evoking Smart's characteristic Tridion safety cell forms a roll bar behind the seats. A very similar motif was also used on another electric concept car, the Swiss-engineered Esoro E301 from 1992. Probably just a coincidence.
Esoro E301 concept
There is no roof on the Forspeed, so when rain threatens, the interior needs to be covered up with a tonneau cover. For driving alone in inclement weather, the passenger side can be covered by itself. There also are no external door handles; you must grab the interior door handles to open the car (and prepare for suspicious looks and possible questioning by the authorities).
The interior, painted white and green with brown leather elements, looks decidedly 1960s Italian. Two large pods house the speedometer on the left and an iPhone on the right. And the green shelf spreading across the width of the dashboard looks to have been inspired by the 1980 Fiat Panda.
Binz Crossblade
There is a historic example for this body concept: the Smart Fortwo–based Crossblade, 2000 of which were built starting in 2002 by coachbuilder Binz. That car proved to be virtually unsellable. And that's probably why Smart tells us right away that the Forspeed will remain a solitary prototype. We’ll see the first and last of it at the Geneva auto show.
Things are changing when 0-to-60 times proudly flaunted by auto manufacturers refer to reaching a speed in kilometers, rather than miles, per hour. Such is the case with Smart's Forspeed concept, which—as Daimler proudly informs us—reaches the equivalent of 37 mph in 5.5 seconds. This awesome performance is delivered by a 41-hp electric motor, and while the company doesn't provide a 0-to-60-mph figure, we are assured that this two-seater will accelerate all the way up to 75 mph. A push of a button adds another 7 hp, in case you are challenged to a race by any particularly muscular slugs.
This is not impressive by any standard, and we are more than a little surprised that Smart chose to name this concept Forspeed, which easily qualifies as the most absurd iteration of Smart's “Forwhatever” nomenclature to date. Here, the final “ED” in the name, which is written as ForspeED on the concept itself, is intended to reference Smart’s Fortwo Electric Drive; its powertrain is similar to this concept’s but the Fortwo ED is estimated to be a second slower to the 37-mph mark—the difference likely is due to the added weight of the production car’s roof. (The press release didn’t fill us in as to what the remaining “Forspe” part of the name refers.) In the Forspeed's defense, it will feel strong at step-off—for a few nanoseconds—thanks to the immediately available torque from the electric motor.
Electric cars without range-extending generators, of course, will be largely confined to urban areas, despite—or rather, because of—the fact that an "80-percent charge takes only 45 minutes," as the press release claims. That's slightly more time than an 80-percent refill of a gas tank takes. The Forspeed's range is claimed to be around 85 miles on a 100-percent charge. Some external solar cells help generate electricity as well, but only enough to power accessories or charge a phone.
Outside, the Forspeed provides a fresh interpretation of Smart's styling language. The body is soft and bulbous, giving an indication of the direction of future Smart design. The head- and taillights mirror each other, with two large LED rings and a round, white center section that doesn't illuminate. There is a teardrop motif to them, which reminds us of the last-generation Kia Picanto but is actually supposed to evoke raindrops on the windshield of an airplane.
In that vein, the Forspeed's windshield is styled to look like it belongs on a vintage propeller plane, and the gray strip evoking Smart's characteristic Tridion safety cell forms a roll bar behind the seats. A very similar motif was also used on another electric concept car, the Swiss-engineered Esoro E301 from 1992. Probably just a coincidence.
Esoro E301 concept
There is no roof on the Forspeed, so when rain threatens, the interior needs to be covered up with a tonneau cover. For driving alone in inclement weather, the passenger side can be covered by itself. There also are no external door handles; you must grab the interior door handles to open the car (and prepare for suspicious looks and possible questioning by the authorities).
The interior, painted white and green with brown leather elements, looks decidedly 1960s Italian. Two large pods house the speedometer on the left and an iPhone on the right. And the green shelf spreading across the width of the dashboard looks to have been inspired by the 1980 Fiat Panda.
Binz Crossblade
There is a historic example for this body concept: the Smart Fortwo–based Crossblade, 2000 of which were built starting in 2002 by coachbuilder Binz. That car proved to be virtually unsellable. And that's probably why Smart tells us right away that the Forspeed will remain a solitary prototype. We’ll see the first and last of it at the Geneva auto show.
