14 DAY TRIAL // This year’s Frankfurt International Auto Show (IAA) is packed with world premieres, many of them dedicated to the future of electric mobility, pointing out the direction of development in the industry. So is the case with the smart forvision, an electric vehicle concept designed to preview the next fortwo range.
The result of a collaboration with chemical industry supplier BASF, the smart forvision blends futuristic design with technologies relating to energy efficiency, lightweight design and temperature management, that reportedly make it possible to increase the range by up to 20 percent.
Finished in pearl white, the smart forvision is a real eye-catcher. It comes with transparent organic solar cells, transparent and energy-saving light-emitting diodes and infrared-reflective films and coatings, while high-performance foams are used for insulation against cold and heat.
The company also brags with the use of the first all-plastic wheels, which contribute to the vehicle’s light weight.
What is really interesting is that rather than conventional seat warmers, the smart forvision concept uses a new “e-textile” technology. The thin fabric is custom tailored with conductive coatings, ensuring heat is efficiently transferred to the body. Even the seat foam is high tech, with BASF developing a new material that is 10-20 percent lighter than conventional materials.
"Cars of the future need materials and technologies which reduce energy consumption whilst also increasing the range and level of comfort. Our innovations make a decisive contribution to this", said Christian Fischer, Head of BASF Polymer Research. "We are proud to have developed a holistic concept for sustainable urban mobility in cooperation with smart.”
“With the clear objective of greatly increasing the zero-emission range we concerned ourselves with all factors that influence this on the vehicle,” added Annette Winkler, Head of smart.
The production version of the new smart fortwo is likely to arrive late next year, an autoevolution report reads.
