smart is reaching for the stars

With the smart forstars concept vehicle, the global urban brand is hitting the nerve of a target group that is at home in the cities of the world. The electrically driven smart forstars is an SUC (Sports Utility Coupé) with room for two people and plenty of storage space. Its name is a tongue-in-cheek reference to the glass roof above the passengers that gives a clear view of the starry sky.

The smart forstars first premiered at the Paris Motor Show in 2012, and is making its Canadian debut at the 2013 Canadian International Auto Show. The show in the trendy French capital was a local affair for smart as the brand's production facility is located in Hambach, Lorraine. The colour of the expressive coupé is also a reference to the venue of the world premiere.

It is painted in the extravagant colour "alubeam rouge" that creates an appealing contrast to the matte metallic titanium colour of the tridion safety cell. And thanks to the 60 kW magneto-electric motor from the new smart BRABUS electric drive, the zero-emission smart forstars is agile and lively.

The exterior design: sassy and friendly with extremely short overhangs

The compact smart forstars (length/width/height: 3550/1710/1505 mm) is a mobility concept with ample space for two people and a generous cargo area under the glass tailgate. It is immediately recognizable as a member of the smart family, yet it also boasts striking new features – and its silhouette not only offers a look at smart's future design idiom, it also greets the viewer with a saucy smile on its friendly yet assertive face.

The rhombic design of the front and rear lamps is very striking. Outer rings illuminate the indicators and daytime running lamps with a large number of LEDs. The lamps seem to push outwards like arrows similar to drips on the cockpit window of an airplane as it takes off.

The "eyebrows" above the front headlamps are just one of many of the lovingly created new details. They give the headlamps a new U-shaped look. The transparent red sun visor above the windscreen takes up this idea and lends the coupé an even more squat road stance. The tail lights can even be opened. The charging socket for the high-voltage battery is found inside the right-hand tail light, while the left-hand one has space for a beverage can.

The study has a longer wheelbase than the current smart fortwo (2470 mm/plus 603 mm) and a wider track (front 1475 mm/plus 193 mm, rear 1475 mm/plus 90 mm) and these also emphasize the confident look. At the same time the extremely short overhangs at the front and rear make it exceedingly compact. All four wheels have been positioned at the outer corners of the body – a typical smart feature.
The smart forstars shares the main features of its body with the smart for-us, which caused quite a stir at the Detroit Motor Show at the beginning of the year. The smart forstars also features convex and sensuously shaped body surfaces. The large brand emblem is proudly sported on the grille, and the front has a pronounced three-dimensional design.

There is a convex glass coupé roof above the passengers' heads. It joins seamlessly with the glass cover over the cargo area which opens upwards. Like the smart for-us, the lower tailboard at the rear can also be opened electrically. To start with, the tailgate slides down in a parallel position, then the cargo floor including tailboard retracts by 280 mm. The cargo on the 900 mm cargo area is then extremely easy to access.

Shiny black trims that continue below the side skirts draw attention to the wheel cutouts. The smart forstars rolls on Michelin sport tires measuring 245/35 ZR 21. The wing nut covers of the three-spoke wheels are an attractive detail.

The sporty, sassy character of the smart forstars is also emphasized by a striking and technically very complex red alubeam finish. "Alubeam rouge" has a wet look that provides an exciting and very modern contrast to the matte and distinctly metallic appearance of the titanium-coloured tridion cell.

The interior: stylish, uncomplicated and individual

Sleek, taut surfaces in mother-of-pearl white combined with precisely designed technical functional elements in brushed aluminium – the interior is characterized by contrasts. The colour "alubeam rouge" that is also used as an accent colour in the interior creates a link to the exterior.

Stylish, uncomplicated, highly functional and easy to individualize – the two seats in the concept car are typically smart. The seat shells, which are open in the middle, are covered with a soft fabric throw giving them a hammock-like seating feel. The graphic elements and different red tones of the covers indicate a progression and underline the dynamism and the very trendy aspects of the vehicle.

The seats are trimmed with high-quality white bag leather with exquisite white piping. Perforated leather in the door panelling forms a further sophisticated contrast and emphasizes the high quality of the materials used.

Like the smart forvision and the smart for-us, the whole cockpit boasts aerodynamic styling for interior ventilation. The control and display elements are oriented to the driver. Just as the cockpit module divides the instrument panel, the two-spoke steering wheel is open at the top.

In place of a conventional rear-view mirror, the smart forstars features a smartphone holder at the top of the windshield. The driver can see what is happening on the road behind with the help of an integrated video camera. The smartphone also serves as a media source and controls the projector.

Storage compartments to the left and right of the high-quality cargo area fitted with aluminium rails offer additional storage space.

Electric drive – driving fun with zero local emissions

The electric drive of the smart forstars is based on the innovative drive concept of the smart fortwo BRABUS electric drive. Compared to the production model of the smart electric drive, the output of the magneto-electric motor has been increased to 60 kW, giving the smart forstars even greater acceleration and lively performance. With almost 100 lb.-ft. of torque available instantly, it boasts powerful, lag-free acceleration and can overtake other vehicles with the greatest of ease. The vehicle has a top speed of more than 130 km/h and the lithium-ion battery has a capacity of 17.6 kWh.

Further information about the smart fortwo can be found online at www.media.mercedes-benz.ca, www.smart.com, facebook.com/smartCanada and twitter.com/smartCanada.