|
|---|
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 2011
As our roads become more congested and the traffic rules more and more complicated, incidents of driver error resulting in accidents are likely only to increase. The solution: smarter electronics that take the “driver” out of “driver error”.
Things like electronic systems that cut power to the car when drivers hit both the brake and gas pedals, rear vision cameras, electronic data recorders and even wireless monitoring of the vehicle’s performance are set to become increasingly commonplace in the coming decades.
There are other less sophisticated measures: such as driver training and a subtle reworking of driver ergonomics that could reduce the number of or even prevent such accidents from occurring in the future. It’s all well and good, but it does hint at the low opinion both regulators and automakers have of the average car driver.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
var addthis_config = {"data_track_clickback":true}; 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
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.
photos
Read more In Cars
Sunday, February 20, 2011
2012 Smart Forspeed Convertible study in Geneva Motor Show 2011 Beautiful Future
0 comments Posted by asu at 1:11 AM |
| Smart E-Roadster concept |
Smart sets in terms of future strong a lot more: The Forspeed study also looks at the design of next-generation Smart. In order to fight the little further to lie ahead, should the city cars are irresistible. Both the exterior and the interior of the Forspeed hope. The electrically powered concept vehicle is unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show 2011 (March 3 to 13) of the public.
Smart displays are open: The Forspeed comes without roof. Two in the typical smart Tridion cell hump in integrated head rest height to protect the occupants in a rollover. Instead of the front window sits a glass wind deflector, which spans from the front driver and passenger seats. At the bottom of the deflector, a film was stuck with honeycomb-shaped cells. These help, for example, while recharging the car carried cell phones. The curves extend over the entire car, all forms flow smoothly into one another. Even the trunk lid has a gently stretched. Between the two Tridion-roll bars sits the third brake light, waiting in the center of the charging socket.
The study presents Forspeed Smart in innocent white - just like the electric bike "Ebike" and the current-Roller "eScooter" which were already introduced at the Paris Motor Show 2011th The Forspeed clearly belongs to this small electricity generation family. Even the rear light of eScooter reminded of the taillights of the Future Smarts. The smooth polished appearance of the Forspeed is not disturbed by the outside-mounted door handles: The opening must be used in the roofless car. Then you pull the leather strap, which is on the inside of each door fitted. A not at all akin to the smart car was a long time ago with no outside door handles on the move: the first Land Rover had to be used in the car to unlock the doors from the inside by a triangular opening.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Smart Teases New Four-Door Model for USA, and yes, it's a Nissan Micra in Disguise...
0 comments Posted by asu at 9:16 AM
In what could be seen as a rather desperate move to keep the troubled Smart brand alive and kicking in the United States, parent company Mercedes-Benz has announced that it has teamed up with Nissan to launch a Toyota Yaris-sized five-door hatchback on the market in the fourth quarter of 2011.
"The new vehicle will expand smart USA's product lineup, offering five-seat capacity while maintaining the core principles of efficiency and conservation," said Smart USA President Jill Lajdziak.
The company said the B-segment car is to be sold solely in the United States and will be based on vehicle architecture from Nissan, without getting into any more details. However, the maker of the tiny Fortwo released two teaser sketches of the car, clearly depicting Nissan's latest Micra supermini with a Smart-like fascia, headlights, tail lamps and detailing.
The sketches are rather crudely done (for official material), and not to mention a tad deceiving as the Micra has been squashed down to create the illusion of a sportier shaped model. You can see what the Micra looks like in our gallery below.
Roger Penske, Chairman of the Penske Automotive Group, which is the brand's exclusive distributor in the States said: "We are faced with continuing customer demand for a smart car with more seating capacity. Sales and service of the five seater will be carried out exclusively by our approximately 75 smart dealerships in the United States. Together with Nissan, we will bring to market a fully equipped small car for our customers and dealers in the USA. It will fit in well with the smart brand."
The new Nissan-based Smart model is part of a broader strategic cooperation between Daimler AG and the Renault-Nissan Group that was revealed in April. Under the agreement, the two groups also plan to co-develop a new platform that will be used on the successors to the Smart Fortwo and the Renault Twingo. You can read more about the deal in our previous post here.
___________________________________________________________________
_______________________NISSAN MICRA GALLERY_______________________
