FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW: Smart forvision

Daimler AG has provided a glimpse of how its next-generation smart fortwo is expected to look with the unveiling of a concept electric vehicle at the Frankfurt motor show.

Developed with the assistance of renowned materials technology company BASF, the smart forvision showcases sustainable lightweight construction aimed at getting the most out of battery and electric drive technology, but motoring.com.au has been informed by an anonymous source that the concept car is not just a one-off exploration of alternative-energy transportation, it's pretty close to the production reality for the next generation fortwo. There's already an electric version of the current smart fortwo, so this concept presages more than just a migration to electric drive systems.

The design study hides its affiliation with a future production car by its use of futuristic features such as solar cells on the roof to capture light for the sake of generating electricity. Transparent organic dyes react to light and produce enough power to run the car's multimedia systems and three fans for the climate control, even in low light.

BASF has developed the plastic wheels for the car and claims that they deliver "excellent thermal and chemical stability, dynamic strength, toughness and good continuous operating characteristics" at a weight saving of 3kg per wheel. Carbonfibre for the doors and the tridion passenger cell cuts weight by 50 per cent against steel or 30 per cent compared with aluminium. BASF has developed a process to reduce the time required for the material to harden, making it a more appropriate choice for mass production.

The materials technology supplier has gone to town inside the forvision, developing a lightweight foam for the seat cushions and 'e-textiles' for efficient seat heating. And a non-metallic film applied between the sandwich of laminated glass in the car reflects infra-red rays to reduce heat in the cabin. Unlike silver-oxide layers used in high-end cars already, the BASF film doesn't reflect radio waves, so it's suitable for use with Bluetooth phones and toll road e-tags.

"Cars of the future need materials and technologies which reduce energy consumption whilst also increasing the range and level of comfort. Our innovations make a decisive contribution to this", says Dr. Christian Fischer, Head of BASF Polymer Research. "We are proud to have developed a holistic concept for sustainable urban mobility in cooperation with smart. Together we are presenting a pioneering vehicle which is without parallel."

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