2005 smart crosstown Concept

From nose to tail the borrowed ideas are countless, like the flat-surfaced hood, round headlamps, retractable windshield and exterior-hinged doors. (Photo: smart Canada)

After canning the forfour-based formore, it seems likely that smart stylists still had a little bit of SUV-blood left over from the project still pumping through their veins. And while the crosstown has a low ride height and road tires, it embodies the look and feel of the popular and somewhat nostalgic Jeep Wrangler. Or maybe the tiny Mini Moke? From nose to tail the borrowed ideas are countless, like the flat-surfaced hood, round headlamps, retractable windshield and exterior-hinged doors (OK, the Mini Moke didn't have doors but the Jeep does). There's even a convertible roof, though the crosstown's fabric cloth roof is electrically retractable.

But don't let this boxy baby fool you. Unlike the prehistoric Wrangler, the smart is a thoroughly modern and technologically advanced vehicle. As with all other smarts, the crosstown features the very smart Tridion safety cell system which mates a high-tensile steel structure to lightweight polymer panels, resistant to accidents as well as dings and scratches - both commonplace in the city. The result is a small car with the

Structural changes made to enhance passive safety as well as the dynamic driving character of the vehicle - a department where the original was lacking. (Photo: smart Canada)

passive safety of a big car, plus the unique opportunity for owners to customizing their vehicles by replacing the polymer panels.

And while stylists were requested to visualize what the second-generation fortwo would look like, there's good reason to believe that the next generation fortwo chassis and components are lurking underneath the matte metallic green and titanium finished shell. The rear-engine layout is still kept intact, but increases in all dimensions signal important structural changes made to enhance passive safety as well as the dynamic driving character of the vehicle - a department where the original was lacking.