Smart Forvision Concept - a pointer to the 3rd generation Fortwo
Smart has revealed the Forvision Concept ahead of Frankfurt with new design and technology pointing towards the next generation Smart Fortwo.
Just as they do with Maybach, Mercedes persist with Smart. Despite the fact that both outings must cost an arm and a leg to keep going with, as far as we know, no profits ever. And that perseverance seems unlikely to end any time soon – at least for Smart – with the reveal of the Smart Forvison Concept, which is heading for Frankfurt.
The Forvision tells us where the next generation Smart Fortwo is heading, certainly in terms of design and probably with a lot of the technology too; technology developed with the help of BASF.
So we get to see stuff on the Forvision like solar panels on the roof to power Multimedia and Climate (I know, no music or HVAC in the UK, then), and part of the climate includes ‘e-textile’ which covers the seats with heat conductive material to warm or cool.
We also see clever plastic being used for the wheels (making them 3kg less than an alloy) and carbon fibre reinforced epoxy resin being used for the doors and body panels, saving 30 per cent in weight.
All the lightness and innovation will be bolted on top of a new chassis; a new chassis which will be shared with – of all things – the Renault Twingo. Both the Smart and the next generation Twingo will use the new Mercedes rear engine/rear drive platform.
In terms of powertrains, the Forvision has an electric motor and batteries of some description, although Smart are choosing not to give details. We’re assuming it to be the same as the third generation Smart EV, which is also heading for Frankfurt.
But for a little city run-around – which is what the smart should be – EV is the way to go, always assuming you have somewhere to charge it.
The only problem with a Smart Forvision EV – when it arrives as the 3rd generation Smart Fortwo – is going to be price, always the Achilles heel of the Smart car; we expect the 3rd Generation Smart Ed to cost over £30k.
Bolt in an electric motor and a set of lithium-ions and market it at realistic money, and Nicolas Hayek’s original vision for the Smart Car as funky and affordable urban transport could finally be realised.
Sadly, we won’t bet on the price being any more competitive on the third generation Smart than it has been so far.
Smart Forvision Concept Photo Gallery
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(21 photos – click any thumbnail for full gallery)
Peter JR Lewis says
The thing about the Smart ForTwo, it’s a car you either love from word go or it’s a car you can live without.
Ever since i read about the amazing fuel efficiency of the original Smart ForTwo Cdi in the January issue of Diesel Car magazine where a rather clever hypermiler in Canada achieved an amazing 116mpg.
I sent him an email on his webpage 100MPG.com to ask him how he managed it and received a very nice replie giving all the details about correct tyre pressure,driving style etc.
Ever since reading that article i was desparate to own my own Smart and it had to be that fabled Cdi 799cc diesel model.
I had to wait nearly ten years in March 2009 to take ownership of my dream car because it was nearly ten years to the month that Mercedes first introduced the Smart in right hand drive.
Ownership has been a real adventure and it is still a huge thrill to jump into Charlie as my little Black and Silver Passion CDi is called.
Earlier this year i managed to drive 183.2 miles from my home in North Wales to Keswick on just slightly more than two gallons of fuel (9.1Litres actually) and i cannot think of any other car ive owned that has given me such pleasure to drive and own.
Zero cartax and ever so cheap insurance alongside the ability to change every bodypanel when the mood takes you.
I only have two original panels on the car and travelling too and from work every week costs just £10 worth of fuel.
You see owning a Smart is something you either embrace completely or look elsewhere for a cheaper car.
At £11,200 for a replacement Smart ForTwo Cdi Passion sounds like a lot of money with quite a few lower priced alternatives on the market but the Smart ForTwo concept is something you love above all others and no other car will rival its effections.
My next car most certainly will be another Smart and if that glorious CDi 799cc diesel engine is still in production it will be that engine i will choose.
Cars UK says
That’s a great comment, and just goes to show that everyone finds something different in every car. We hope you enjoy your Smart for a long time to come.