Daimler introducing smart for-us electric concept at Detroit Show; “urban pickup”
07 December 2011
Daimler will introduce the smart for-us “urban pickup” electric concept vehicle at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January 2012. The smart for-us, which, according to Daimler, translates the practical loading concept of a pickup to the reality of 21st century urban traffic, is based on the drive concept of the smart fortwo electric drive, to be launched in the spring of 2012.
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| Sketch of the smart for-us with ebikes. Click to enlarge. |
The 55 kW electric motor delivers 130 N·m (111 lb-ft) of torque. The lithium-ion battery has capacity of 17.6 kWh.
The smart for-us has room for two people and space for two smart ebikes behind them. With a the docking station on the cargo area of the smart for-us their batteries are always charged, and smart for-us drivers can also reach destinations that are out of bounds for cars.
Compared with the series-produced fortwo, the smart for-us has a longer wheelbase (2480 mm/plus 613 mm) and a track that has been widened by 50 mm on each side. Extremely short overhangs at the front and rear make it very compact.
The tailboard at the rear of the smart for-us is electrically driven. When it opens first of all the cargo floor including tailboard retracts by 280 mm, then the tailgate slides down in a parallel position. The cargo on the 900 mm cargo area is then easy to access.
Smart electrified ideas!!!
Posted by: HarveyD | 07 December 2011 at 08:45 AM
An e-bike dock in the loading bay of your electric roller skate. Wow. How cool is that.
The practicality of this vehicle is limited to places like California or Florida. There I can see it being popular as a rental for vacationeers. I can not see a lot of people having the $$ to buy a separate vehicle just for transporting your e-bike. Which seems to be the idea, to leave the e-bikes permanently there. Sort of.
A well, the wonders of concept vehicles.
Posted by: Arne | 07 December 2011 at 11:05 PM