2012 Smart ForFour
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Seems like Smart is ready to try the four door idea again.
But this time, it looks more like a Smart.
Not sure if this is based on the next Mercedes A Class or a platform from partner Renault/Nissan.
It seems to have some kind of retro futuristic look to it.
Smart is in desperate need of something new. Anything. At least in the US where sales are now just a few hundred units a month.
Seems that everyone who wanted one already has one. And with only 2 seats, it’s really not for everyone.
We’ll see…
Hmmm?
Looks kinda 'retro-furturistic', like some micro-transport out of a 70's sci-fi movie.
Wow, it's the new Microbus that VW never made! I think this is what will put them back on the map.
I never understood why the smart for 4 didn't make it, it was kinda cool. Tnis looks even better.
When a car holds 1 or 2 at most; sex-appeal/speed/uniqueness are paramont. But when you intend it to hold 3 or more; SAFETY is suddenly important. And that's a BIG problem for such a tiny vehicle. A 5-start mini will kill everybody instantly if it hits a 3-star full-size (and those in the full-size will probably survive — just the laws of physics). If your brain slams against your skull in 1 sec (while a 1' hood collapses) it receives 36 times more force that if it came to a stop in the 6 seconds it takes for a 6' hood to collapse.
And such is the cunundrum of the 4-door econo car.
This design sort of reminds me of the Mercedes-Benz 'Bionic' concept from a few years ago.
Iirc… the 'Bionic' was a 4 passenger car, with the design based upon a Boxfish(look it up.. I'm not joking).
Anyhow… this is an interesting design. One problem for my family would be… will this be smaller than, say, a Scion xD?
Also…. the Smart dealership is over 100 miles away… this is not good if you have a warranty issue that needs repaired.