Smart
Smart plans new 5-door model for US, releases sketches
Daimler-owned Smart has announced that it plans to launch a 5-door hatchback specifically for the US market, sometime in the fourth quarter of next year. The B-Segment vehicle will be based on a Nissan model since Daimler and Renault-Nissan have formed an alliance recently.
“We are faced with continuing customer demand for a smart car with more seating capacity. Sales and service of the five seater will be carried out exclusively by our approximately 75 smart dealerships in the United States,” said Roger Penske, Chairman of the Penske Automotive Group. Penske is the official dealer of Smart in the US.
“Together with Nissan, we will bring to market a fully equipped small car for our customers and dealers in the USA. It will fit in well with the smart brand,” he added. Along with the announcement Smart also released two design sketches of the new 5-door fuel-efficient model. Something tells us that the new Smart model will be a remodeled Nissan Micra or March.
Continue reading to view high-res versions of the images above. Read the rest of this entry.
Smart reveals all-electric 5hp escooter concept
Smart has unwrapped the escooter concept ahead of it’s debut at the Paris Motor Show. The all-electric scooter is powered by a small 4kW/5hp electric wheel hub which is linked to a 48-volt lithium-ion battery pack. With a 45km/h top speed the escooter can deliver up to 100 kilometers in terms of range, over a full charge.
This mini electromobile features a steel and aluminium frame with plastic bodypanels. It comes with features like illuminated side markers, headlight and taillight with LED technology, additional storage space and ABS. There is also an airbag and a Blind Spot Assist function.
Interestingly, the escooter uses an iPhone as an instrument display. When the rider mounts the phone in between the handlebars, the scooter’s immobiliser and anti-theft protection are deactivated. Online services can be accessed when making stops. While riding, the iPhone will serve as the instrument panel.
This means that it displays the speedometer, range and battery charge level. The smartphone also acts as a navigation system too. The Smart escooter concept can be fully recharged in three to five hours via a household power outlet. Check out an image gallery after the jump. Read the rest of this entry.
MINI and Smart to reveal electric scooter concepts in Paris
Both BMW-owned MINI and Daimler-owned Smart have announced that they will each an all-electric scooter concept at this month’s Paris Motor Show. Unfortunately both companies only released design sketches and are still being tight-lipped about the juicier details.
These models are still concepts at the moment but when (and if) they go into production, Singaporean’s could enjoy two additional electric scooter models apart from the already available E-Max electric scooter. Furthermore Singapore also has solar-powered Solar Greenlots for out-of-home charging solutions.
Continue reading to view more design sketches of both scooters. Read the rest of this entry.
Smart ForTwo gets a minor facelift, Edition Lightshine announced
Daimler has unveiled an updated Smart ForTwo ahead of its world debut at the Paris Auto Show in October this year. The ForTwo is updated with a new range of body colour options bringing total options available to seven. The range includes matt light green and light blue metallic which replaces blue metallic. Customers can also optional request for the front spoiler, side skirts and the rear apron to be painted in body colour as well.
The company also said that the vehicle’s safety cell, door mirror surrounds and the radiator grille are painted in white as well. There are also new 15-inch alloy wheels and optional LED daytime running lights. The interior has been refreshed as well. There are, among others, new dials with a contrasting dark central disc in the instrument cluster and dashboard instruments, optional new ambient lighting with dimmable LEDs as well as an optional fabric-covered folding centre armrest.
Also optional is a 3-spoke leather steering wheel with cruise control and trip computer functions. The cabin can also optionally house a large stowage boxfor the lower section of the centre console. There is also new one-hand operation of the tailgate.
There is also a new audio system with a 16.5cm display screen. The system also features an integrated navigation system, Bluetooth connectivity, USB and AUX port for external devices and an interface for controlling an iPod. Also available is “smart drive” kit for the iPhone. It can turn the iPhone into a multimedia trip computer which means there is a cradle for the phone and an accompanying application. It also allows hands-free driving, internet radio as well as music playability.
The engines have also been retuned to offer lower fuel consumption and emissions. The 54hp turbodiesel just emits 86 grams of emissions per kilometer. With a reworked ECU and a revised exhaust system, the 60hp and 70hp gasoline engines now consume 4.2 liters of fuel every 100 kilometers. The 83hp version does it with 4.9 liters. The BRABUS variant now offers slightly more power, 101hp to be exact. Speaking about the BRABUS line-up, they now have new Monoblock VII alloy wheels, a modified double-pipe rear muffler and an instrument cluster with a new dial.
Daimler has also announced a new limited edition Smart ForTwo Edition Lightshine which is based on the Passion trim level. It is available in matt light green or light blue metallic as a coupe and a cabrio with a 70 and 83hp gasoline engines as well as with a 54hp diesel. It also has a different interior trim and has features such as LED daytime driving as standard.
Continue reading to view an image gallery. Read the rest of this entry.
Daimler to link up with new compact car partner in mid-2010
It has been revealed that Daimler is looking to link itself up with a new partner for its compact car business and that the German auto giant will decide who it will be sometime next year. Rumors have been circulating that Daimler will tie up with Renault which is planning to set up a line of affordable compact cars and compact electric vehicles, but both parties have yet to make any official announcements.
Daimler’s CEO Dieter Zetsche said that company will announce its new partner by the mid of 2010. Apparently Daimler is paying more attention to the development of compact cars, with its Smart brand as well as with its A and B-Class models from the company’s Mercedes-Benz operation.
Smart Fortwo Electric Drive to go into production by November
Daimler has announced that the next generation all-electric Smart Fortwo will go into production by mid November, at the auto giant’s Hambach factory in France. Called the Fortwo Electric Drive, it will feature a lithium-ion battery pack, supplied by Tesla Motors, which is expected to enter the Singaporean market soon. Recently, Daimler purchased a 10% stake in the American electric car maker. The Smart Fortwo Electric Drive is powered by a 41HP motor, which is also good for 120Nm of pulling power.
It can slowly accelerate to 60 km/h in 6.5 seconds, and will max out at about 100 km/h. According to the auto maker, the 14 kWh battery pack in the electric Smart Fortwo can be recharged via a household power outlet and a three-hour charge should be good for about 35 km/h. A full charge, that should take six to eight hours, can enable the electric car to deliver 115 kilometers in terms of driving range. The Fortwo Electric Drive will be initially leased out to customers in Europe and in the US. If you are interested to buy one, you would have to wait till 2012. Continue reading to view an image gallery. Read the rest of this entry.
2010 Smart Fortwo cdi has 21% more power, while maintaining fuel consumption
Daimler has announced that the 2010 Smart Fortwo cdi has received a 21% power bump, along with an 18% increase in torque figures, while maintaining its fuel consumption figure. The Smart Fortwo cdi features a 54HP three-cylinder diesel powerplant, that is also good for 130Nm of torque. Combined fuel consumption figure is maintained at 3.4 liters per 100 kilometers and CO2 emissions rating is figured at 88 g/km.
With the extra boost in power, the Smart Fortwo cdi sprints to 100 km/h in 16.8 seconds. Daimler revealed that the Smart Fortwo cdi coupe will cost €11 790. The auto giant also announced that, from model year 2010, all versions of the Smart Fortwo including the BRABUS variants will comply with the strict emission limits of the EU5 standard. The Smart Fortwo has been updated, with new contrast components in shiny pearl black and a new folding armrest that is available as an option.
Furthermore, potential buyers can opt for Smart’s hands-free system with a colour display and extensive multimedia functions including Bluetooth, voice control and iPod connectivity. According to Daimler, all updated Smart Fortwo variants can be ordered now and prices for the petrol models are maintained at current figures. Continue reading to view more images of the Smart Fortwo cdi cabrio, as well as images of the Smart Fortwo’s hands-free system. The system can be controlled by a wireless controller mounted on the centre console. Read the rest of this entry.
