Smart's Brabus electric drive concept. Would the Jetsons want one?
We’ve always thought that the Smart fortwo looks like something out of science fiction. Maybe the Jetsons? If we could only find the button that makes the already tiny two-seater fold up into briefcase.
Well, all doubts vanished with the Geneva Motor Show launch of the Smart Brabus ED Concept.
The Daimler AG subsidiary has already shown us a battery-powered version of its fortwo model. A number of them are already charging around Berlin, as part of a mobility test program, with 100s more set to roll out later this year.
Smart could launch production of an EV by 2012.
Says Smart’s marketing chief, Executive Vice President, Klaus Meier, “We’ll be in a position to begin series (retail) production by 2012, at the latest.”
But why settle for the same old Smart car, even if it does have batteries and an electric motor, rather than a gas tank and micro-sized engine? That’s where Brabus comes in. The European tuner has become a regular Smart partner, offering several sportier versions of the microcar, in recent years.
Lime sherbet, inside and out.
How do you tune up an EV? Well, at some point, we may see Brabus focus on squeezing out a little more performance. But for now, its version of the ED tackles other issues. Like how to make clear you’re not driving just any old fortwo. The car on display was boasted an unusual lime sherbet matte finish, both inside and out.
Brabus also took on an issue that could prove a potentially serious problem as EVs begin to roam the roadways. As our mothers liked to warn us, stop, look and listen before crossing the street. But what happens when there’s a car approaching that makes no noise?
No problem. The Brabus electric drive Concept lets you pick from two artificial sounds that blast out of the car in every direction. For traditionalists, you can make your ED sound just like a big Brabus-tune Mercedes-Benz V-8.
Our own favorite, though, sounded like a cross between the Jetsons-mobile and the transporter on Star Trek’s Enterprise.
Maybe the Smart fortwo never will fold into a briefcase, but if this Brabus concept is any indication, you may soon be able to beam onboard.
I’d love one of these for a commuter car. But not in this color.
Please tell me that they replaced the clunk-o-matic tranny with something smoother. A single speed like Tesla?
Hi, Gents,
That, ahem, controversial transmission isn’t used in the electric drivetrain. You don’t need as many gears, ala Tesla’s TWO speed.
As to color, the green is pretty intense, but what I find intriguing is the use of a matte finish, something automakers have been talking about for years. Because of the nature of Smart’s lightweight body panels, this would be a perfectly suited approach.
We’ll see.
Paul A. Eisenstein
Publisher, TheDetroitBureau.com