smart announced it will be presenting its electric roadster study, dubbed Forspeed, at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, demonstrating to one and all that green can also be fun.
The car is powered by a rear-mounted, 30-kW electric mill and can travel 135 km on a single charge, accelerate from 0 to 100 km in 5.5 seconds and hit top speeds of 120 km/h.
The Forspeed is built from light plastic reinforced with fibreglass, and in lieu of the conventional windshield boasts a deflector with integrated photovoltaic cells that use the power of the sun to recharge the electric system.
At first glance, roof, door handles and windows are all noticeably absent. Though it seems counterintuitive, the engineers designed the doors to open from the inside and created a flexible cover that can protect the cabin from Mother Nature’s tantrums.
Finally, the dash board is inspired by an airplane cockpit, where driver and passenger are presented with separate instrument clusters.
This is a study and not a concept, so don’t expect the Forspeed to massively invade our roads anytime soon. However, according to Annette Winkler, smart’s head honcho, “some design elements will be seen in series production”.
Source: Automotive News
The car is powered by a rear-mounted, 30-kW electric mill and can travel 135 km on a single charge, accelerate from 0 to 100 km in 5.5 seconds and hit top speeds of 120 km/h.
 |
| Photo: smart |
The Forspeed is built from light plastic reinforced with fibreglass, and in lieu of the conventional windshield boasts a deflector with integrated photovoltaic cells that use the power of the sun to recharge the electric system.
At first glance, roof, door handles and windows are all noticeably absent. Though it seems counterintuitive, the engineers designed the doors to open from the inside and created a flexible cover that can protect the cabin from Mother Nature’s tantrums.
Finally, the dash board is inspired by an airplane cockpit, where driver and passenger are presented with separate instrument clusters.
This is a study and not a concept, so don’t expect the Forspeed to massively invade our roads anytime soon. However, according to Annette Winkler, smart’s head honcho, “some design elements will be seen in series production”.
 |
| Photo: smart |
Source: Automotive News