Small car maker, smart is to present a new electric car study at next week’s Geneva Motor Show.
Called the forspeed, the new concept car is a two seater cabriolet car, with no roof or side windows and featuring a low wind deflector instead of a windscreen, in the style of a classic propeller aircraft.
Driving pleasure and a responsive drive is the aim of this new model. Having been using its electric fortwo model as part of trials across Europe since 2009, smart has now integrated some of that early feedback from participants into the development of its second electric model. As a result the new concept boasts improved charge management and improved performance.
For example, the smart forspeed accelerates from 0 to 37 mph in just 5.5 seconds and reaches a top speed of 75 mph. A 30 kW magneto-electric motor is installed at the rear of the smart forspeed and the vehicle concept provides an immediate powerful response from stationary. Pressing a button in the centre console activates a boost function which provides an extra 5 kW of power for a short time and is ideal for overtaking manoeuvres on urban highways, for example.
The smart forspeed is powered by a lithium-ion battery that delivers 16.5 kWh of electrical energy. It is simple to charge at any conventional 220 Volt socket. The charging device is located in the third brake light behind the smart logo and features a simple push/push opening mechanism. A fully charged battery is sufficient for 84 miles of driving fun (NEDC). Quick charging from 0 to 80 per cent takes just 45 minutes.
Dr. Annette Winkler, Head of smart says: "The smart forspeed is a completely new take on how much fun it is to drive electric: it boasts a superb design with a powerful drive system and, needless to say, locally emission-free. And if you put the smart forspeed next to our ebike, escooter and smart fortwo electric drive you’ll see that smart has realised all kinds of variations of electric driving – demonstrating that smart is not just a practical city car, but a great idea."
The forspeed developers have also integrated a further clever way of charging in the wind deflector: photovoltaic cells feed solar power to the on-board electrical system. As with the smart escooter this lengthens the battery life of the smartphone, for example.
With its high-gloss white metallic paintwork the smart forspeed is designed to build a bridge to the two-wheel escooter and ebike studies that were presented at the Paris Motor Show.
The whole interior of the smart forspeed can be protected against rain and sun when necessary with a tonneau cover. It is easy to stretch it over the interior and fasten it to the body with the straps.
