New Smart ForSpeed Concept Hints at a New Look for Next ForTwo and ForFour

At next week's Geneva Motor Show, Smart will reveal a new concept model called the ForSpeed that signals a new design direction and hints at future products from Daimler's small car brand. The ForSpeed is a zero-emissions roadster model with a unique look that is powered by an electric motor.

In a similar fashion to Smart's 2001 Crossblade that was produced in a limited run of 2,000 units, the ForSpeed has no roof or side windows and it features a low wind deflector instead of a windscreen. However, unlike the Crossblade, the ForSpeed does get a pair of doors as well a fabric tonneau cover for weather protection.

While Smart has no immediate plans to produce the ForSpeed, key styling elements such as the headlamp and tail lamp designs with the outer rings illuminated by a LEDs as well as the more prominent front grille, will be carried over to future products including the next ForTwo series and the new five-door ForFour as the company plans to create a more distinct look for its cars to better compete with the Fiat 500 and the Mini.

On the inside, Smart's designers opted for a minimalistic look with separate round turbine-like instrument clusters for the driver and passenger. Whilst the driver gets a speedometer, the passenger's side features a smartphone that can be swiveled by up to 90 degrees in its holder and towards the driver so that the driver can also take a look at the display, which include a navigation system.

The open two-seater is motivated by a 40HP / 30kW electric motor installed at the rear. A button in the centre console activates a boost function which provides an extra 7HP /5 kW of power for a short time.

The electric motor is fed by a 16.5 kWh lithium-ion battery that can be charged at any conventional 220 Volt socket. The charging device is located in the third brake light behind the Smart logo. According to Smart, quick charging from 0 to 80 percent takes 45 minutes, while a fully charged battery offers a driving range of 84 miles or 134 kilometers

The ForSpeed concept accelerates from 0 to 37 mph (60 km/h) in 5.5 seconds and reaches a top speed of 75 mph or 120 km/h.

We'll bring you more photos and details on the ForSpeed from the Geneva Show floors next week.

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Will China's BYD Bring the F3DM to the U.S. or will this be Just Another Broken Promise?

When it comes to making cars, China is king. We’re talking the world’s largest car market, with over a hundred individual marques. So why is it that there are virtually zero Chinese car manufactures selling cars in the U.S. aka the world’s other largest car market?

So far, China’s “Big Four” (well, the four most visible to those outside of China) have made and broken promises of bringing their vehicles to the North American market. Brilliance, Chery, Nanjing and Geely have all backed down from their plans to open dealerships and factories stateside. So far, not a single car from China's major automakers has touched down on U.S. soil outside a motor show.

Senior analyst Bill Visnic of Edmunds.com explains why: “This isn’t computers or cellphones, where you just get into a big-box store. You need some dealerships, and those things are tremendous investments of time and resources. [The Chinese] thought it was going to be a lot easier than it was.”

BYD hopes to change all that. China’s sixth largest automaker provided plug-in hybrid cars to the 2008 Beijing Olympics and now plans on bringing that hybrid, the awkwardly named F3DM, to the U.S.A. for Spring 2012. It still could be an uphill challenge, though.

The fallout from the slump in auto sales after the Global Financial Crisis, the government’s bailouts of two of the Big Three, the liquidation of numerous dealerships and the reduction in hybrid sales that came with the sudden drop in fuel prices is still being felt in much of America’s automotive heartland. Add to that the small market share commanded by hybrid and electric vehicles – just 2.2% worldwide according to JD Power – and BYD may be in over their heads already.

AS Mike Omotoso from JD Power explains:

“Because consumers are wary about electric vehicles and their driving range and batteries, they are even more likely to go with more established companies like G.M. and Nissan. The problem with the Chinese car companies is they are trying to run before they walk.”

Only time will tell if BYD’s U.S. plans end in fruition or failure.

By Tristan Hankins

Source: New York Times

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