Smart Four-Seater Prototype Scale Model Scooped at R&D Facility

It's no secret that Mercedes-Benz plans to give its Smart brand one more chance to extend its vehicle range after the not so-successful Mitsubishi Colt-based Forfour and the Roadster series. Last April, the German automaker signed a deal with the Renault-Nissan Group, with the two parties announcing the development of a new rear-wheel drive platform to be used on the successor of the current Smart Fortwo, a new four-seater Smart and the next-generation Renault Twingo.

Now, one of our spy photographers managed to sneak close enough to the firm's R&D facilities in Germany and scoop these photos of a scale model of a five-door Smart. The prototype appears to be based on the next generation Fortwo with the engine mounted at the back, which would make sense since both vehicles will be based on the same architecture. The difference is the five door model features a longer wheelbase and a much taller roof to accommodate the rear passengers.

While there's no way of being sure if the model seen here is an early or an advanced prototype, it definitely gives us an idea of Smart's plans.

We'll post an update on Smart's forthcoming four-seater model as soon as we find new photos and/or details.

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Smart Brings Some Color to Fortwo with New Nightorange Limited Edition

Over the years, Daimler's Smart unit has introduced many limited edition models of its Fortwo micro car such as the 'Three', 'Hello Kitty' and 'GB-10'. This time around, Smart has presented a more sporty looking special edition of the Fortwo called the Nightorange.

Naturally, the most eye-catching part of this limited edition model is the paint-job which combines an exclusive orange metallic finish combined with a black Tridion safety cell and black 3-double-spoke alloy wheels fitted with tires in size 175/55 R15 at the front and 195/50 R15 at the rear. The car also features black painted headlamp trims, black mirror caps and nightorange logos in the mirror triangles.

The same color theme is continued in the interior with the black seats in a mix of leather and fabric sporting an orange stripe in the center, as does the knee pad in leather look. Contrast components such as the instrument trims are painted in pearl black, while the 3-spoke sports steering wheel with gearshift paddles and the gear knob are covered with black nappa leather.

Standard features include an audio system with AUX/USB interfaces and two loudspeakers, electric windows, air conditioning with automatic temperature control, and a transparent panoramic roof with sunblind (coupe).

Customers can choose between three engine variants -two petrol versions with 71HP and 84HP and a more frugal diesel model producing 54HP- and two body styles -coupe or convertible.

In Europe, the two seater limited edition model can be ordered now with first deliveries to customers beginning on February 22. In Germany, prices range from €13,995 to €18,345 [US$18,750 to$24,600].

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Mercedes-Benz Patents Designs of Smart Roadster Model

Back in 2001 at the Geneva Motor Show, Smart introduced a quirky roadster concept with no doors, no roof and no windscreen called the Crossblade. The Fortwo Cabrio-based concept eventually went into a limited series production the following year with Smart offering a total of 2,000 cars.

Fast-forward to today, and Smart appears to be readying a spiritual successor to the Crossblade as the firm's parent company Mercedes-Benz has trademarked these designs drawings of a two-seater roadster model.

Unlike the original Crossblade, which came without doors featuring instead steel safety bars at passenger shoulder height that swing upwards with the help of a gas-operated struts, the roadster model seen in these pictures gets a conventional set of doors. It also features a larger wind deflector surrounding the driver and passenger as well as Smart's trademark Tridion Safety Cell - albeit redesigned to look like separate safety bars.

Unfortunately, the patent filing does not provide any information on the vehicle other than that the designs were submitted on November 16, 2010. However, unless it's a previous study we're not aware of, we'd say the car seen here is a new concept model (maybe for Detroit in January or Geneva in March) that could preview a production vehicle as well as the styling of the next generation Smart Fortwo series.

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How Cute: Smart Fortwo Says Hello Kitty to U.S. Buyers with Special Wraps

Hopefully, most of our readers will agree that a Smart Fortwo is a far more suitable candidate for a 'Hello Kitty' makeover than a Ferrari 360 Modena [weep here]. Furthermore, unlike the custom Modena, the Fortwo Hello Kitty is an officially licensed product as Smart's US distributor, Penske Automotive and Sanrio, the owner of the 'Hello Kitty' brand, signed an agreement to add a series of car wrap designs featuring the popular feline to the carmaker's vehicle customization program.

"This is the first time that Sanrio will offer a Hello Kitty car in the United States," said Janet Hsu, president of Sanrio Inc. "The modern, environmentally-friendly features of the smart fortwo combined with supercute Hello Kitty designs deliver an exciting offering that responds to the demands of our fans for special edition lifestyle products."

The Smart Expressions program will offer buyers in the States a choice of three different full-body Hello Kitty designs, each with a selection of color schemes. In total, the company offers 22 full and partial wrap design and color combinations from which to choose.

According to Smart, the Hello Kitty wrapped Fortwo cars will make an appearance at many Sanrio events this fall for the brand's 50th Anniversary.

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Gordon Murray's T.25 Oddball City Car Officially Revealed

Renowned Formula One race car and supercar designer Gordon Murray who gained fame for his involvement in the iconic McLaren F1 project, has finally taken the wraps off his latest creation [after more than two years of teasing], the T.25 city car.

Measuring 2.4 meters or 94.5-inches in length, 1.3 meters or 51.2-inches in width and 1.5 meters or 59-inches in height, the T.25 is smaller than Smart's minuscule Fortwo, yet Murray has managed to fit in three seats in a McLaren F1-style 1+2 layout with the driver sitting in the center of the car. The two passenger seats can be folded down allowing a luggage capacity of 720 liters.

Instead of using traditional doors, Murray opted to utilize the entire front section of the T.25 that pivots forward to allow entry into the car.

The small city car is powered by a 660cc three-cylinder engine located in the rear. It produces an output of 51HP at 7,000 rpm and 57Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm, and is linked to a five-speed semi-automatic transmission.

Tipping the scales at around 575kg or 1,268 lbs, the T.25 accelerates from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in 16.2 seconds and reaches a limited top speed of 145km/h (90mph). Fuel economy is estimated at about 74mpg UK, which is equal to 3.8 lt/100km and 61.9mpg US.

If all goes well, Murray aims to have the T.25 ready for production by 2012.

From Gordin Murray Design: T.25 USP's and Key Features

• The T.25 represents a major breakthrough in City Car design and is a vehicle that has been optimised through design for strength, performance, weight, cost, safety, usability, tooling, quality, energy efficiency, recyclable and ease of assembly.
  
• The T.25 external dimensions create the opportunity to:
  
  • park at 90 degrees to the curb, offering real consumer benefits,
    
  • park up to 3 cars in one parallel parking space - giving rise to lower parking charges.
    
  • increase traffic flow,
    
  • explore the possibility of 2 vehicles travelling and overtaking in one conventional lane. Combining this with the car length has the potential to triple lane usage at peak times.
    
  • reduce the environmental impact of vehicle manufacture (ie: lower material content etc) and day-to-day operation.
    
• The central driving position generates:
  
  • A unique, 'cool' and fun driving experience,
    
  • promotes safety and ease of parking as a result of excellent all-round visibility and road awareness,
    
  • the opportunity to offer a single-seater option with retrofit bolt-in rear seats,
    
  • class-leading rear passenger leg room (better than most 'B-Segment' cars).
    
• By virtue of the unique door opening system, the T.25 can:
  
  • be parked in very close proximity to other objects and still allow occupants to enter and exit the vehicle. This gives rise to,
    
  • park 2 in one domestic garage,
    
  • allow occupants access from both sides of the vehicle,
    
  • allow easy access to the driver's seat and easy access to the rear child seats.
    
• The ultra lightweight by design (approximately 550kg) means that:
  
  • component life is increased
    
  • reduced energy is required to power vehicle, giving rise to higher fuel efficiency (mpg/electric battery range).
    
  • a competitive power to weight ratio is achieved
    
• A world-leading 6 metre turning circle will enhance urban manoeuvring and parking.
  
• Body panels in the lower periphery of the car are all mechanically affixed and have split lines which are sympathetic to accident damage replacement, leading to rapid assembly times and low cost accident repair.
  
• First car in class to feature lightweight, low cost independent rear suspension.
  
• Wing mirrors are within the overall width of the body, thereby minimising accidental damage and subsequent mirror replacement.
  
• Design for purpose means that the vehicle has excellent pedestrian impact qualities.
  
• The inclusion of Formula 1 derived materials philosophy and technology coupled with chassis frame design ('Direct Load Path') gives an immensely strong structure ('safety cell') both in 'end' and 'side' impact scenarios. This is also designed to meet the cost targets of high volume production.
  
• Flat under-floor improves aerodynamic efficiency.
  
• Class-leading vehicle dynamics
  
• High level turn indicators for good visibility.
  
• Positioning of the fuel filler permits refueling from either side of the vehicle.
  
• Centralised driving instrumentation and controls are designed to maximize drive control.
  
• Six internal layout options with rear seat adjustment (adjustable within 20 seconds) sets new standards in small vehicle packaging – a long way in front of the Smart For 2 and the Toyota iQ.
  
• Occupant capacity of between 1 and 3 persons. Luggage capacity of between 160 litres and 720 litres.
  
• The T.25 has the potential to be first to market for a new "World Car Class" for efficient vehicles, demonstrating new levels of efficiency and low emissions – creating excellent publicity and marketing opportunities.

Smart Launches Special Edition Fortwo Greystyle

Merc's Smart brand is continuing its series of special edition versions of the Fortwo microcar with the presentation of the Greystyle edition that stands out thanks to its unique color combinations inside and out.

Available as a coupe or a cabrio with a 71HP petrol engine with micro hybrid drive technology (a.k.a. start and stop technology) or a 84HP petrol engine, the Greystyle Fortwo comes in an exclusive matt dark grey finish with matching 15-inch alloy wheels and contrasting yellow mirror caps.

The same color theme is found in the interior that combines dark colored fabric and high-quality nappa leather upholstery with yellow accents and trim parts.

Standard features include unique floor mats with the edition logo and the MP3-compatible CD radio smart radio 9. Electric power steering, heated seats, a lockable glove compartment and the smart sound system with MP3 interface are optionally available.

The special edition Fortwo Greystyle is on sale now with prices in Germany starting from €16,135 or about US$22,200 (including VAT).