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Price |
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Production |
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Engine |
electric |
Weight |
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Torque |
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HP |
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HP/Liter |
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Range |
up
to 62 miles |
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0-62 mph |
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Top Speed |
28
mph |
(from smart press
release) Stuttgart – With the purely electrically driven
escooter, smart is presenting a further solution for intelligent
urban mobility. The innovative two-wheel study translates
consistently the characteristic advantages of the pioneering smart
fortwo electric drive e-car into a two-wheeler: compact dimensions,
agility, high safety standards and the driving fun typical of the
smart brand, not least backed by an efficient and locally
emission-free drivetrain. In addition to its innovative technical
solutions, the new escooter convinces with its distinctive,
state-of-the-art design and simple handling. One more advantage is
the integration of smartphones: the further developed smart drive
kit app has versatile functions such as those of a speedometer or
range indicator. As a result, functionality, environmental
sustainability and driving fun accompany the smart escooter. The
smart two-wheeler will have its world premiere at the 2010 Paris
Motor Show, giving visitors an outlook at future zero-emission
products from the smart brand.
Dr. Annette Winkler,
head of smart says “When our customers speak enthusiastically about
their smart they describe the perfect city car that is manoeuvrable,
flexible, safe, spacious and fast and offers lots of driving fun -
on the road and when looking for a parking space. Lots of people are
already looking forward to the zero-emission continuation of the
“vision smart” with the smart electric drive, which will soon become
a firm part of the cityscape. And now we are bringing all these
features to two wheels with the escooter.”
The smart escooter, as
practical as unconventional, is most at home in big cities, where it
can be used in a variety of ways. In urban traffic, the electric
scooter is an intelligent amendment or alternative to the car – with
its superior manoeuvrability, exemplary comfort and pioneering
safety features. The latter include an airbag, ABS anti-lock brake
system and a Blind Spot Assist.
“With the escooter, we
consistently continue our “vision smart”: even more driving fun in
the city, even more adaptability to the respective living
environment, even more flexibility - not least because it offers the
possibility to be integrated in our car2go concept”, says Annette
Winkler.
The single track
escooter will enable smart to tap new growth potential. Two-wheelers
will enable the brand to reach also considerable younger people who
do not yet have a car driving licence. In addition, the two-wheel
vehicles that have been configured for an “e-drive” from the outset
also have functional and environmental advantages they convince with
in inner city traffic. All in all, the smart escooter offers also
the ideal prerequisites for integration in individual urban mobility
concepts such as car2go.
Annette Winkler: “The escooter shows what an integrated, open
approach we have to the subject of ‘urban mobility’. This pragmatic
approach, combined with smart’s typical fun factor, is what makes
smart so special. We perceive mobility as a combination of
responsibility and emotion – and our smart escooter accomodates this
request in every respect.”
smart escooter – anything but
conventional
The smart escooter makes
a first impression with its independent, unconventional design based
on a sophisticated ergonomic concept. It exudes pure joie de vivre,
introducing a fresh and surprising element into urban traffic. The
design of the electric scooter is characterised by its attractive,
sporty proportions: the front looks sorted and compact when viewed
from the side, while the rear wheel gives the appearance of being
positioned a long way behind the seat area, emphasising the
scooter’s forward thrust and agility. The dynamic, elegant
appearance is underlined by its composition of complete surfaces and
accentuated lines - designers talk of “iconic” design.
The cool appearance of
the escooter is emphasised by affectionately crafted details that
enhance its high-value yet trendy effect – from delicate cockpit
panelling to a flush-fitted rear light. At the same time, the
concept offers practical solutions, extreme ease of handling and
outstanding safety.
The electric scooter’s
supporting chassis structure is consciously modelled on the tridion
safety cell of the smart fortwo. Its steel and aluminium frame is
clad with fully interchangeable plastic bodypanels. This is another
clear parallel to the successful two-seater. A further special
feature of the escooter are the long, extensive and translucent
elements on the edges of the foot protection (front panelling).
These illuminated side markers improve visibility from the side, and
also serve as striking indicators.
The smart escooter guarantees distinguished impact in terms of “see
and be seen” by means of state-of-the-art LED technology. Both the
front headlamp, backlight and brake light are equipped with it.
Visual similarity to its
four-wheeled big brother
The smart escooter's
white paintwork with green accents underlines its relationship to
the smart fortwo electric drive. Also in terms of suitability for
everyday use, the electric scooter clearly bears the genes of the
two-seater car. For example, the frame of the smart escooter does
not only house technical components such as the battery and power
electronics, but also offers additional storage space, for example
for helmets.
Dynamic driving fun – of course,
emission-free
In addition to
environmental sustainability, the smart escooter has a focus on
driving fun: it is driven by a disc-shaped wheel hub motor in the
rear wheel, which offers a powerful 4 kW despite its compact size.
The brushless direct current hub drive transmits its power directly
to the rear wheel, and is clean and maintenance-free. A further
advantage: as the motor does not take up any space in the chassis,
more stowage space is available there.
As full torque is
available right from the start, speedy moving is possible. At
traffic lights, smart escooter riders can easily outpace most cars.
They also benefit from the scooter’s modern chassis design: front
and rear wheels are each mounted on an elegant single-sided swingarm.
A 130/60 R13 tyre is fitted at the front, while its rear counterpart
measures 140/65/R13.
The smart escooter has a
top speed of 45 km/h. The traction current is supplied by a
state-of-the-art, 48-volt lithium-ion battery pack. Thanks to the
battery’s capacity of 80 Ah, ranges of up to 100 kilometres are
possible. The escooter can be charged at any standard household
power socket, within three to five hours. The charging socket is
stored at the front of the scooter underneath a hinged smart emblem,
while the charger itself is integrated in the scooter.
The smart philosophy: stress-free
and safe driving
Characteristic of smart
vehicles is their distinctive functionality in conjunction with
model high safety level. These two elements together make for
stress-free and safe travel. The new smart escooter follows
consistently this ideal: in doing so, it does not only meet all
statutory requirements, but also sets new standards in its segment.
In contrast to
conventional scooters, the smart escooter is equipped with
ultra-modern safety features of a kind rarely seen even on modern
motorcycles. These include an anti-lock braking system (ABS)
specially adapted for a two-wheeler, an airbag integrated in the
panelling beneath the handlebars, and Blind Spot Assist, which draws
the rider’s attention to vehicles following close behind him that
are not visible in the “blind spot” of the rear-view mirrors –
extremely useful when changing lanes, for example. Like in the
Mercedes-Benz E-Class, a triangular light is flashing in the
rear-view mirror. So, common cause of accidents involving scooters
is addressed.
Combined front/rear brake and ABS
To brake the smart
escooter safely, just one touch suffices to retard both the front
and rear wheel simultaneously. When the hydraulic disc brake at the
front is actuated, an anti-lock braking system kicks in to ensure
maximum braking effect even during emergency braking. The rear wheel
is braked in parallel to the front wheel, though not mechanically
but electrically.
This task is performed
by the wheel hub motor in the rear wheel, which normally propels the
scooter forwards. When the brakes are applied, the operating
principle is reversed: the motor becomes a generator whose
resistance provides the required braking effect. The resulting
braking energy is converted into electrical energy and stored in the
scooter’s lithium-ion battery. The anyway high energy efficiency of
the escooter is further enhanced by additional solar cells at the
front. These solar collectors are used to support the charging of
the state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery pack whenever the sun is
shining, also when the scooter is moving.
Always new, always intelligent –
smart
When it comes to comfort
and convenience, the escooter is also a smart through and through.
Its attractive, creative yet pragmatic solutions are fully in line
with the smart brand principle “easy to use”. The smart escooter’s
intelligent and simple operating concept is particularly convincing.
One example is the
charging socket, which is integrated externally in the panelling at
the front, and therefore extremely easy to access. Like the smart
fortwo, the escooter also disposes of an intelligent storage system.
Underneath the seat there is a lockable stowage space with enough
room for both the driver’s and the pillion rider’s helmets. The
scooter’s lithium-ion batteries are placed space-efficient and well
protected behind the panelling in the foot area. The resulting mass
centring and low centre of gravity promote agility and stable
roadholding.
The smart escooter also
offers driving fun for two: that is enabled by a fold-out seat which
looks elegant when in use, and which appears to “hover” over the
rear wheel. The footrests for the pillion rider automatically move
into position when the second seat is folded out. If, instead, the
rider requires more storage space, the pillion seat can be replaced
with a luggage rack.
Linked via smartphone
The smartphone plays a
special role for the escooter, serving as the scooter’s control and
communication centre. Before starting the electric scooter, the
rider simply places the smartphone in a specially-designed mount in
the centre of the handlebars. So, it is fully linked with the smart
escooter. At the same time, immobiliser and anti-theft protection
are deactivated, allowing the electric scooter to be started.
The new, further
developed smart drive kit app allows the rider to use online
services when making stops on the road. During the journey, the
smartphone serves as the scooter’s needed speedometer. It also
displays the range and battery charge level and acts as a navigation
system. Should the rider ever forget where he parked his escooter,
the “GPS Tracking” smartphone app can help him identify the
position.
The handlebar heating
can also be controlled remotely – a comfort feature especially ideal
on cooler days.
