Smart has made its mark with urban commuter cars, but that doesn’t mean it’s completely unaware of a life beyond the city. Such is the theme behind the forjoy concept shown at the Frankfurt Auto Show. With its open roof and lack of doors or a rear window, the smart forjoy is a modern, compact beach runner–or it could make a city commute a heck of a lot more interesting.
It’s also a clear look at the brand’s future styling direction. The short overhangs and upright silhouette are the same, but the upright grille and curvy body (also seen on the for-us and forstars concepts) are almost certainly hints at the next-generation smart.
On the forjoy, the car’s tridion safety cell is polished aluminum, creating a two-tone contrast with the white body panels. The seats are styled like lounge furniture, and the instrument panel blends into the exterior design. A pair of smartphones (no pun intended) have been mounted on the dashboard and center console to keep the passengers connected.
The forjoy is powered by a 55kW electric motor, pulled from the current smart fortwo electric drive. Should the forjoy run out of range, a pair of electric skateboards and helmets are mounted under the rear seats, providing short-distance auxiliary transport.
The next-generation smart is due sometime in 2015. Don’t be surprised to discover that this concept turns out to be a clear indicator of the styling.
