Smart back on track
Daimler's micro-car brand modifies forfour to create mini locomotive in latest PR stunt, but smart is still not coming back hereSmart and some British train engineers have adapted a forfour supermini for railway use.
The bizarre PR stunt took some six months in the making after the German car-maker commissioned train engineers from the Midlands in the UK to undertake the full conversion work.
More complicated than just skinning the tyres off the wheels, the forfour was CAD modelled to ensure its four 22-inch steel wheels, which weigh 80kg each, fitted. To avoid any accidental steering input the rack was disconnected and the aluminium supports were welded to lock the wheels in position.
Powered by a 56kW 0.9-litre turbocharged petrol engine, the result -- according to smart -- is the world’s most efficient (and smallest) train.
The small smart train, renamed the ForRail, was even certified as a locomotive and tested on a private 16m railway line.
There are no plans for the ForRail to enter production, or for the brand and its quirky city-cars to return Down Under.
Smart's Australian plug was pulled last March, after pricing negotiations broke down.
Last year, just 108 smart cars found homes, despite pricing from $19,000 drive-away.
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