Smart Forvision concept previews future Smart ForTwo

The Forvision is Smart’s second concept model to be unveiled this year, following the Forspeed that was first seen at the Geneva Motor Show in March, and the Forvision previews the new design direction for the Fortwo and hints at the technology being readied for Smart’s future models.

Smart worked with BASF, the world's largest chemical company, to develop several advanced technologies that are used on the Forvision. Among them are the  revolutionary plastic wheels that each weigh about 3kg less than an aluminium rim, and the carbon fibre-reinforced epoxy resin used in the construction of the passenger compartment and the doors, which weight savings of up to 50 per cent compared to steel and 30 per cent compared to aluminium.

The Forvision concept features an electric drivetrain, with the solar roof providing additional energy to feed the battery. Smart says that the next-generation ForTwo, which is expected to be launched next year, will be based on a new rear-wheel drive platform architecture that has been developed in cooperation with the Nissan-Renault Alliance, and will be shared with the next Renault Twingo.