Smart Forspeed concept

[xeLa]

Back in 2001 at the Geneva Motor Show, Smart introduced a quirky roadster concept with no doors, no roof and no windscreen called the Crossblade. The Fortwo Cabrio-based concept eventually went into a limited series production the following year with Smart offering a total of 2,000 cars.

Fast-forward to today, and Smart appears to be readying a spiritual successor to the Crossblade as the firm's parent company Mercedes-Benz has trademarked these designs drawings of a two-seater roadster model.

Unlike the original Crossblade, which came without doors featuring instead steel safety bars at passenger shoulder height that swing upwards with the help of a gas-operated struts, the roadster model seen in these pictures gets a conventional set of doors. It also features a larger wind deflector surrounding the driver and passenger as well as Smart's trademark Tridion Safety Cell - albeit redesigned to look like separate safety bars.

Unfortunately, the patent filing does not provide any information on the vehicle other than that the designs were submitted on November 16, 2010. However, unless it's a previous study we're not aware of, we'd say the car seen here is a new concept model (maybe for Detroit in January or Geneva in March) that could preview a production vehicle as well as the styling of the next generation Smart Fortwo series.

Fonte: Carscoop

Imagens:

 

[Fizck]

 

[Lagarto]

Deve ser uma evolução disto:

 

[xeLa]

Deve ser uma evolução disto:

Segundo o artigo, sim, seria/será um sucessor, talvez espiritual, desse.

 

[Fizck]

Esse modelo chegou a existir? Não foi uma edição limita?

 

[xeLa]

Esse modelo chegou a existir? Não foi uma edição limita?

Este:

Deve ser uma evolução disto:

... existiu.
Agora, os "desenhos" do primeiro post, segundo li foram "apanhados" há pouco tempo.

 

[Agent]

Esse modelo chegou a existir? Não foi uma edição limita?

Existiu.[][]

Já estive junto de um.

Quanto aos esboços acima apresentados, valha-me Deus.:sh)[][]

Que eles se deixem estar sossegadinhos.[]

 

[Gonzas]

Deve ser uma evolução disto:

De evolução não tem nada, eu diria que mais parece uma regressão.:sh)

 

[TILT]

Existiu.[][]

Já estive junto de um.

Quanto aos esboços acima apresentados, valha-me Deus.:sh)[][]

Que eles se deixem estar sossegadinhos.[]

Aquilo acho que não são esboços, parecem-me imagens de patentes. Por isso, conta com ele por aí []

 

[Agent]

Aquilo acho que não são esboços, parecem-me imagens de patentes. Por isso, conta com ele por aí []

Epah, pronto.[]

Se tiver que ser, será![]

 

[xeLa]

Aquilo acho que não são esboços, parecem-me imagens de patentes. Por isso, conta com ele por aí []

É isso mesmo, são patentes. O título da notícia até é: "Mercedes-Benz Patents Designs of Smart Roadster Model"

 

[xeLa]

Report: Smart Speedster electric concept to debut at Geneva Motor Show

Report: Smart Speedster electric concept to debut at Geneva Motor Show

Mercedes-Benz has patented the design of a new concept version of daughter company Smart’s Fortwo city car, set to be called Speedster.

The ultra compact open top recalls the earlier limited edition Smart CrossBlade by featuring a cut down windscreen and no apparent provision for a roof of any kind.

The Speedster is a pure concept, however, and is not said to inspire any future production car. It will be launched at the Geneva motor show in March and will share its all-electric E-drive drivetrain with the Smart E-cell.

While appearing to retain similar dimensions to today’s 2695mm long and 1560mm wide Fortwo, the Speedster depicted in Mercedes-Benz’s latest computer generated patent images looks to have gained wider tracks front and rear, giving it a more confident stance.

The puristic two-seater also receives a series of new design details, including a larger grille, rounded head and tail lamps, altered surfacing treatment as well as distinctive step in the waistline. The Speedster look is further enhanced by twin roll over hoops integrated into the Smart’s exposed steel safety cell.

A third-generation Fortwo line-up is being developed by Mercedes in partnership with Renault, the initial coupe and cabriolet versions of which are due to go on sale in 2012.

Fonte: Autocar

 

[moschinoboy]

Podiam lançar é um novo Roadster,mas não deste modelo:sh)

 

[22mr]

Não vem nada outra vez para produção.

 

[filipee]

Podiam lançar é um novo Roadster,mas não deste modelo:sh)

Um e-Roadster, a semelhança do modelo eléctrico Fortwo não era mau pensado.

 

[135d]

parece mais uma adaptacao daqueles carros electricos usados no golf [][][]

 

[moschinoboy]

Um e-Roadster, a semelhança do modelo eléctrico Fortwo não era mau pensado.

Mas o smart roadster deixou de ser fabricado???È que ja tem uns anos e nunca mais saiu mais modelo nenhum:sh)

 

[MetalKing]

Mas o smart roadster deixou de ser fabricado???È que ja tem uns anos e nunca mais saiu mais modelo nenhum:sh)

Sim, deixou de ser fabricado em 2006.

Esteve para ser ''revitalizado'' como MG, mas não passou da intenção.

 

[BLADERUNNER]

Smart Forspeed concept

Smart reveals Forspeed concept

Smart has revealed its Forspeed concept ahead of its debut at the Geneva motor show.
The Forspeed is a zero-emissions roadster. It’s designed to complete Smart’s electric vehicle line-up, which also includes a scooter and a bicycle.
The company claims the Forspeed will reach a top speed of 75mph, thanks to a rear-mounted 40bhp electric motor with a 7bhp overboost function. It’s said to have a maximum range of 84 miles.
See the official pics of the Smart Forspeed
The car’s squat body features a high-end and seamless gloss finish, integrated solar cells in the wind deflectors to power on-board electrics, and a ‘smiling’ honeycombe grille. Mercedes's head of design Steffen Kohl says the Forspeed has a “unique and electric look, but is still recognisable as a Smart”.
On the inside, the car’s minimalist design mirrors the look of a motorboat, with individual binnacles for the driver and co-pilot. In front of the latter sits a Smartphone unit, which can be tilted 90 degrees to face the driver.
Read Autocar' first drive of the Smart Fortwo ED
Other interior touches include leather door pulls, as well as a leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear knob. A boost switch located in the centre console frees up the extra 7bhp.
Smart boss Dr. Annette Winkler says the Forspeed is not planned as a limited series. “We have to be profitable with Smart so it won’t make production,” she said. But she added, “Elements of the car will be carried over into future projects.”
Alex Kersten
autocar

A Smart irá lançar novos modelos incluindo o Forfour com dimensões mais generosas.

 

[BLADERUNNER]

Acho que não sabiam o que haviam de fazer com o depósito de combustível e colocaram-no numa garrafa ali no túnel central.[]

Mais a sério. Há ali notoriamente algumas referências da aviação dos anos 20/30 no prolongamento dos assentos pela secção traseira do veículo e no tabliê em forma de torpedo (bem como os retrovisores exteriores), o formato "duplo" do pára-brisas, a bi-coloração da chaparia, a perfuração de grelhas interior e exteriormente, a cor e aplicação dos couros no volante, manípulo da caixa de velocidades e na garrafa de abastecimento de líquidos "ao piloto", num interior do volante claramente em forma de hélice (tal como acontece com as jantes), os cintos de segurança, os botões, os parafusos propositadamente vísiveis e acessíveis...

Será pouco? Talvez, mas sem dúvida é uma feliz recuperação de elementos estéticos de uma época onde o glamour era prevalecente, denotando assim que o futuro nem sempre deverá estar de costas voltadas com o passado para poder ser sinónimo de evolução.
Gostei.

Smart ForSpeed concept signals new design direction
by Guy Bird 20 Feb 2011

Smart will unveil a new concept at the forthcoming Geneva motor show that signals a new design direction, hints at future product and confirms parent company Daimler's renewed commitment to the brand.

Car Design News was granted early access to the concept, baptized ForSpeed, at a secret photography studio in Stuttgart last week and heard the head of advanced design, Steffen Kohl, explain how the two-seat, electric-powered vehicle prefaces design themes in both the next ForTwo and the revived ForFour, which will be launched in 2014.

"The fullness of this concept's exterior surfaces is important and will be reflected in future production models," said Kohl, "Smart will still be short, spacey, agile, and with wheels at the corners of the car, but with an added sporty and emotional design and without losing all the brand's iconic elements like its ‘plastic fantastic' aspect and the safe and hi-tech modular tridion shell assembled with all these changeable body parts. And on the interior, it will simply be more valuable, using more precious parts. I'm sure it will be an unbeatable combination."

Look beyond the forspeed concept's similarity of package to the old Crossblade – it is also roofless, windowless, and sporting a mini-windscreen – and there is a car that is wider, a bit longer and much fuller in its volumes, especially on its sides, witness the curve on the contrast-color section by the rear lights as just one example.

Kohl said all Mercedes' global studios contributed to the proposal – up to 50 designers were involved at the outset – with the concept and strategy ultimately led out of its design HQ in Sindelfingen, Germany.

Compared to Smart's current models, the exterior grille has become bigger and more elongated and features a much bigger badge within it, instead of on the hood above. The grille itself features variable-sized 3D hexagonal holes that could also make production as Kohl added: "It's one of the solutions we are following, although we haven't finished it yet. It fits the shape of the solar cells on the windscreen and it's a very good tool to show these alternative powertrain situations. It does not mean it will look exactly like this though."

The striking 'ring-and-highlight'-shaped headlights are also new but due to the limits of current legislation and LED intensity will not feature in future production Smarts in this form said Kohl. However something like the rear lights – that echo those seen on the recent eScooter concept at 2010's Paris motor show – could.

Inside, is arguably the biggest difference for Smart, with an array of high quality touches and finishes, including the natural brown leather wrap around the contrasting shiny white plastic steering wheel and matte metal gearstick plus an iPhone dock that can be angled within its own separate passenger cowl.

All these details send the message that Smart intends to move upmarket as a brand and offer more Fiat 500 and Mini-style customization options through its just announced Smart foryou program. But not at the expense of jettisoning its 'everyman' appeal as Kohl continued: "This show car is the high-end story, but we will also keep the idea that Smart is a car for the people, although never cheap in execution and technology."

After years in the doldrums – when Smart shrunk from a multi-model brand including a roadster, coupe and even the radical stripped-out limited edition Crossblade back to become a single model brand - the expansion plans would seem to be back on track. Smart sources also unofficially confirmed the brand will launch production versions of its recent electric scooter and bike concepts from early 2013 so that when the ForTwo and ForFour arrive by 2014, it will again be a four-model brand.