Everyone is into the SUV craze and so is Smart, the small car manufacturer division of Daimler Chrysler. Wikipedia says the Smart formore was supposed to be an SUV based on the same platform as the Mercedes Benz C-class, sharing an architecture that would be used for a future Mercedes Benz MLK-class. But some other sources have said it’s built up from the Smart Forfour chassis which was based on the 2003 Mitsubishi Colt.
The Smart formore would have followed Smart’s classic body styling – interchangeable plastic body panels on a steel frame. The SUV was to be powered by Mitsubishi’s 4G15 1.5 petrol unit, which was also used in the Brabus-tuned version of the Smart forfour.
The project was scrapped as part of DaimlerChrysler’s efforts to restructure and replan Smart’s business model. Smart had not turned a single profit in almost 8 years. The new business model plans to make Smart break-even by 2007. Other casualties as part of the new model was the Smart Roadster. It’s production is to be halted at the end of 2005.
IMHO they should have named the Smart roadster as Smart foreplay :P
Umm.. Interchangeable plastic parts on a steel frame??? Sounds more like a Tamiya car to me. No profit in almost 8 years??? That sentence alone scares me. Lets just hope it doesnt handle like the Smart City Car. Hopeless handling that car.
cbljkkj: no need to hope anything lah… the project has already been cancelled hehe.
Daimler Chrysler introduced its Smart car to the streets of Europe and Japan in 1998. This tiny car were launched to reduce drivers parking problem in city condition and low fuel consumptions, and the sales are slightly more than 100,000 units in 2000, and Smart really shocks the people with its new concept, but than… I am kind of confuse what is the meanings of "SMART" when they came out forfour … it is just like a normal sedan car than c/w 5 seats. Consumers's mind and perception towards Smart is tiny car, low fuel-consumption, easy to park and now they wanna to come out with a SUV !?!? that is not fun.. how r they going to compete with the high competition SUV market if they stil maintain high price, non-"SMART" features ??? God bless Smart ~
yeah, maybe somewhere along the way, smart kinda lost the plot… but i guess they get away with it cos their designs are so super cool… :D
No smart at ALL! Sau TONG LAH!!
bon voyage to Smart.
Got ABS???
this is soooo cool i have one and i love it!!!!