If you’re one of those people who can’t stand the glacial styling evolution of the Porsche 911, look away now. Smart’s new Forvision Concept is said to preview some of the look of the next-gen Smart and, well, it’s no radical change. In fact, if you were to strip away all of the “concept-y” features from this thing, you’d be left with something like a current Smart with a fancy bodykit. Oh sure, it’s got “organic solar cells” on the roof and heat-conductive and insulating “e-textile” seat coverings, but this plug-in concept really just proves that Smart is a fixed idea. Though updates will be welcome in the European market where Smart already does well, but unless Smart shows a concept with a lower price, higher efficiency and more satisfying transmission, it’s hard to see the American market losing any sleep over such a “future Smart.”
It looks like the design inspiration was a bike helmet, or maybe a pair of flashy basketball shoes.
Still, since the concept behind the Smart is maximizing interior space while minimizing exterior dimensions, there is only so much they can do. For it to be a hit in the US though the fuel economy absolutely has to go way up and the price needs to go down.
I would argue the price would be ok, if they address the efficiency. Bring over the diesel.
Looks like a Toyota IQ to me.
Whatever happened to putting the headlights on the front of the car and not on the corners?
It looks promising, though the side surfacing is a bit much. But seriously, a car this tiny needs EPA ratings of at least 40/50 to make any sense.
Pixar should sue for ripping off WALL-E
To me, the Smart platform always looked like it ‘wanted’ to be an EV more than an ICE car. And the second edition looks even more like an EV than the first one! From what people are reporting, getting rid of the tranny (not needed in the EV)could only be a plus.
NulloModo’s right, it looks like a driveable bike helmet. :)
Wow, I didn’t know Tonka made cars THAT big!
John
Definitely full of gee wiz styling, but definitely NOT practical. All that white for instance would get SO dirty so fast it’ll not hold up long at all.
The seats loos MUCH too tall, the headrests look too much like the units from the FIAT 500 and stick out enough to look uncomfortable.
In the end, it’s a evolution of the current car but with I think some better ideas, just toned down may help it, but again, if they improved on performance/mileage then it might do better here in the states.
Looks like a sneaker. The same way subarus used to look like sneakers
Am I the only one who thinks it looks like a stormtrooper helmet? Next the Darth Vader edition!
Yeah, I see it. But it’s a happier helmet than the traditional empire-approved frowny one.
Looks like something that Mork used to travel to Earth from the planet Ork.
I first saw these cars in Italy in 2005 and they made sense over there in the cities. I see them working in a few markets in the US, but if this concept design is any indicator I would say the company is out of its mind. If I’m buying half a car I ought to spend less than full price for a new car or get exceptional fuel economy. The Smart does neither, but it is easy to park.