Daimler has so kindly to serve a good portion of Smart ForSpeed photos before the car's unveil at this year's Motor Show in Geneva. As you may recall, addressed the concept of a 41-horsepower electric motor that can whisk this miracle topless all the way to 37 miles per hour in about 5.5 seconds. As a reference, has the figures to two seconds improvement on the standard, production-version fortwo ed, we are not denying the fact that two seconds is not a small gap, but we did not exactly go quickly to the call of this apparatus, either.
The ForSpeed is on stage next month with no top, even though smart kind enough to include a cover toneau should open the heavens, while waiting until the vehicle has been given top speed of 75 mph. The good news is that the ForSpeed out a range of about 85 miles and can be quickly charged to 80 percent of capacity in about 45 minutes.
Meanwhile, there are some concerns that a separate Nissan / Renault joint project can call the Quattro also be deleted. have with the killing of several projects and Penske walk away, more than a few heads started to wonder if this is the end for Smart in the land of the free. According to the report, but Automotive News says Roger Penske, that's not the case.
Penske said that the fact that Smart is from the Mercedes-Benz presented the death of a lobster or Mercury, there is nothing in comparison, and that his company simply not the volume or the marketing muscle Smart effectively enforced.
Either way, one says that the shift towards Benz dealer that the smart dealer network will shrink significantly, so that only 58 dealers across the country. That's because 21 Smart showrooms, which are not coupled with Mercedes models do not get to keep their licenses.
Penske walk away like distribution rights, management, sales and marketing duties, but that does not mean the brand is going anywhere. From now on peddle the pint-sized city Mover Mercedes-Benz and Smart USA, says the movement is only part of a larger growth strategy. In a letter to the owner, Smart said that all guarantees still valid, and that all should be ironed as soon as June of this year by the transfer kinks.
Talk about a quick rebound.
Daimler takes over Smart Distribution in the world, so the move makes sense for the troubled brand here in the States. Hobbled by low fuel prices, Smart sold 100,000 units worldwide last year. In comparison, the company was able to move to 114,000 vehicles amid the global recession of 2009. A poor 5927 fortwo were sold in the U.S. in 2010.
Rumours are told about a number of new models planned for the company, including a ForTwo +2 as well as a five-door hatch cut off. Hit the jump for the full press release and the company's letter to current owners. Thanks for the tip, Vince!
"It is a commitment to the Smart brand of smart USA and Daimler also committed to" Rick Bourgoise, Smart, Director of Communications, says Autoblog. "There are two ways for product expansion. Daimler alliance with Nissan-Renault to a small car platform as part of the next Smart ForTwo and a four-seat model offers arrive by mid-decade" The car could, or at least something with the scale model four-door ForTwo two spied recently in Europe do. The car is being developed by Mercedes-Benz and built by Daimler.
"That was good in the near future," said Bourgois, "but we needed more products in the short term." If he says "we", he is to smart USA, the Penske-distribution partnership process, the U.S. and Puerto Rico areas for Smart relates.
"But having agreed with Smart USA Nissan of the Americas to a five-door, five-seat hatch that will arrive sometime in the 4th quarter of 2011." The car refers to the Memorandum of Understanding signed with Nissan that Smart for a B-segment participants last October. This means that the car has been given official green light. The platform is assumed that the Micra as it is "a global vehicle for Nissan is not for sale" is, and they put them in a year. The design of the car is a collaboration between Smart and Nissan, but "it is a smart, be smart and have style elements remain true to the brand attributes," as a small footprint and high efficiency and recyclability. Burgoise also confirmed, "it will come in a standard manual and automatic transmissions." Bourgoise AB told the unnamed car sometime late Q1 or Q2 will be revealed.
Saab will unveil the new 9-5 SportCombi Wagon Estate at the Geneva Motor Show in March, and what appears to be the first official image leaked showing out of Luke's new slim body. The 9-5 SportCombi was during the period of limbo automakers between owners caught testing, but now that it is safe in the hands of Spyker Cars, the stylish combination is quickly prepared for production.
Expect to drive directly from the 9-5 sedan made, that is charged the base 2.0-liter inline-four, and up-level 2.8-liter turbocharged V6 will be available. Saab XWD all-wheel drive system is likely to Aero V6 models are offered, and the full range of optional goodies such as Adaptive Cruise Control and Bi-Xenon headlamps are available at a price. We are the details closer to the car in Geneva premiere, and look for the 9-5 SportCombi to arrive in the United States later this year.
