Frankfurt show: Smart FourJoy unveiled

TINY town-car builder Smart will debut its latest electric concept at the Frankfurt motor show with a car that could pave the way for the 2014 ForFour.

As reported, the forthcoming second-generation ForFour is being developed by Smart owner Mercedes-Benz alongside global venture partner Renault. The next-generation Twingo will be spun off the same (possibly rear-drive) architecture.

The plug-in Smart FourJoy showcases a variety of outlandish features from polished aluminium panels to asymmetric ‘dark chrome’ seats, and dispenses with the “unnecessary ballast” of doors, rear window and roof.

True to Smart’s city-friendly philosophy, the FourJoy is a zero-emissions vehicle thanks to a 55kW electric-drive motor and 17.6kWh lithium-ion battery.

Charging the all-electric Smart takes up to seven hours with a regular household socket or less than an hour if a wallbox charger is available. If all else fails, the hypothetical passengers could hop on the two roof-stowed electric skateboards.

Front occupants can prevent themselves falling out of the door-less FourJoy with large sill-mounted grab-handles, while rear passengers are held in place by a 60’s retro-style one-piece semi-spherical ‘bench’.

Pure pearlescent black and white surfaces are contrasted by ‘petroleum coloured’ Plexiglass screens and piping around the seats, while honeycomb air-vents add texture to the exterior.

Smart says that by removing the doors and unnecessary interior clutter, and by placing wheels at the four outer-most points, the relatively diminutive proportions can accommodate four adults comfortably.

The lack of roof and side panels also offers an uninterrupted view of the surroundings, allowing passengers to enjoy the view more than in a conventional car.

Measuring fewer than 3500mm in length and 2000mm in width, the FourJoy is shorter but a little wider than the current ForFour, which can accommodate – as the name suggest – four occupants.

While some design cues may make it to a road version, the tailored twin skateboard helmet carrier in the boot area is unlikely to survive.

Smart CEO Annette Winkler explained that the public’s favourite details from previous show-cars such as the ForStars had been incorporated in to the latest concept.

“The exterior proportions already reveal a lot about the appearance of our four-seater production Smart which will be launched at the end of 2014 and will also enable families to travel together in a Smart,” she said.