Geneva Auto Show: Daimler smart forspeed

Daimler is debuting a new version of their smart fortwo car at the Geneva Auto Show, calling it the smart forspeed. Small in almost every manner, we reported on some features of the smart forspeed prior to its unveiling this month in Switzerland. The electric vehicle runs off a lithium-ion battery that can deliver 16.5 kWh of energy, needing only 45 minutes to charge from 0 to 80 percent. On a full charge the car can travel up to 84 miles, enough for most urban users.

As expected, the car is definitely for city drivers, coming equipped with a 40 horsepower engine that can get an extra nudge of almost 7 horsepower if drivers press the “boost” function button in the middle console. The console itself, like the rest of the interior, is smoothly designed; a block of ten LEDs in the middle of the instrument panel shine to indicate the charge of the battery.

image via Daimler

Other features include a passenger navigation station that allows a 90 degree rotation of a smart phone display. The company highlights the passenger display as like that of an airplane, pointing out the dual low deflecting windscreens in place of a full windshield. It’s doubtful most users will be looking to take the vehicle too far outside urban environments with a top speed of under 75 mph, and a 0 to 40 mph time of 5.5 seconds, however, should the vehicle be caught in a downpour the car is designed to be nearly waterproof, coming equipped with water drainage channels in the floor and a special coating on necessary surfaces.

The original smart fortwo only recently came to America, so no word yet on when the smart forspeed will be available in the US. Price has not been mentioned yet either, but if compared to the original car’s suggest retail value, consumers should expect something in the range of $20,000 to $25,000 for the light, sporty vehicle.-earthtechling.com