Here we have the none-too-speedy Smart ForSpeed concept. Well, perhaps that’s not quite fair, as the diminutive Smart actually is plenty quick enough for its intended mission, which is to say it’s fully capable of jetting between urban skyscrapers while dodging taxi cabs and pedestrians.

Want hard numbers? Smart claims the roofless ForSpeed can hit (a seemingly arbitrary) 37 miles per hour in 5.5 seconds on its way up to a top speed of 75 mph. Perhaps more importantly, Smart estimates its little electric mobile unit has a range of 85 miles per charge and that an 80-percent charge is possible in just 45 minutes.

Naturally, there’s a whole press release of details that can be found after the break, along with a high-res image gallery of live photos below.

Photos copyright (C)2011 Drew Phillips / AOL

Continue reading Geneva 2011: Smart ForSpeed Concept is urban green toplessness

Geneva 2011: Smart ForSpeed Concept is urban green toplessness originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Mar 2011 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Daimler has been so kind as to serve up a heaping helping of Smart ForSpeed photos ahead of the vehicle’s unveil at this year’s Geneva Motor Show. As you may recall, the concept packs a 41-horsepower electric motor that can whisk this topless wonder all the way to 37 miles per hour in around 5.5 seconds. For reference, those numbers make up a two second improvement over the standard, production version ForTwo ED. We aren’t into denying the fact that two seconds is no small gap, but we wouldn’t exactly go around calling this contraption quick, either.

The ForSpeed will hit the stage next month without a top, though Smart has been kind enough to include a toneau cover should the skies open up while you’re waiting to get to the vehicle’s top speed of 75 mph. The good news is that the ForSpeed carries a range of around 85 miles and can be quick charged to 80 percent of capacity in about 45 minutes.

[Source: Daimler]

Pics Aplenty: Smart ForSpeed tries its best to look speedy originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Feb 2011 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Not every future Smart model is in trouble of vanishing – some will never see the light of production. To wit, Daimler’s minicar maker is bringing an all-electric, roofless version of the Smart ForTwo to the Geneva Motor Show, and the Forspeed concept looks surprisingly similar to the the Smart Speedster we got a peek at a few weeks ago.

Overall, the Forspeed echos the Smart Crossblade that was made in limited numbers in the early 2000s. Just to emphasize that the Forspeed is a pure concept, it comes equipped with some interesting taillights, no external door handles and since it’s sans-roof, there’s a toneau cover that can either coat the entire interior or just the passenger side if you get caught in the rain.

The Forspeed’s 41-hp electric motor can yawn the car all the way up to 37 miles per hour in 5.5 seconds and provide a top speed of 75 mph. That’s not excatly “speedy” as the name implys, but the boost button you see on the dash offers another seven ponies. More important is the ED part of the clumsy “ForspeED” name; it refers to the Electric Drive powertrain that we also find in the Fortwo ED. At least the concept hits 37 mph a second sooner than the standard Fortwo ED.

The range for the Forspeed is estimated to be 85 miles, with an 80-percent charge possible in 45 minutes. This is most likley under DC fast charging conditions, but we’re not sure. We’ll make sure to get more info when we’re on the ground in Geneva.

[Source: Autocar, Car And Driver]

Smart ForSpeed concept revealed before Geneva debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 20 Feb 2011 15:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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