Will smart miss the bus on the Forfour

[SMART]

I think there is a pretty large demand for the forfour from American consumers but will smart say no while another OEM says yes. Check out this hot all electric 4 door vehicle from Geneva.



Here is the press release:

TH!NK Ox - A platform vehicle
TH!NK Ox is a modular platform concept, designed for electric drive vehicles, for both the European, North American and Asian markets. It is the basis for a variety of vehicle styles, starting with the TH!NK Ox Crossover 5-seater. This is possible due to a space frame concept featuring the main crash structure and the batteries centrally placed in two compartments in the lower frame. The TH!NK Ox picture gallery shows an MPV version and a coupé version. The MPV version is suggested as a taxi with a larger luggage space. The MPV version is designed for easy entry and exit, and a spacious and easy access luggage trunk. The coupé and sports versions have a larger battery capacity for higher performance.
The TH!NK Ox Platform design allows two different standards of battery packs;
- High stack: two compartments, allows use of low cost, high range sodium batteries
- Low stack: gives space for flat Li Ion packs, allows lower/upper frame for sports car and flat flow applications
Scandinavian and clean design Think’s sustainable Scandinavian design has formed the basis for this truly innovative clean car.
TH!NK Ox is distinguished by the TH!NK product family design characteristics. It mimics the clean choice of materials from the TH!NK city, with a prizewinning, unpainted and recyclable exterior and a 95% recyclable interior material concept, made possible through the ABS and PP interior systems. A solar panel in the roof keeps the vehicle’s interior cool when the engine is switched off, or can even supply enough power to run the sound system on the beach.
Think electric drive The base model of the TH!NK Ox will have a 60kW electrical powertrain, capable of accelerating to 100km/hr in less than 8.5 seconds and reaching a top speed of 130km/hr. The vehicle will be powered by a choice of either sodium batteries or state-of-the art lithium technology battery packs, allowing optimal adaption to the type of use and geographic region. The lithium-ion batteries will employ a next generation nano-phosphate electrochemistry with an unprecedented combination of power capability, energy density, and safety.
The TH!NK Ox driving range is targeted at 200km for combined highway and city summer driving (US06 driving cycle). For city driving, the TH!NK Ox will be able to travel even further on a full charge, to over 250km. The platform concept also forsees a sports version with a higher top speed and a range extended to up to 450km, a range also relevant for the taxi version.
Easy charging Charging the TH!NK Ox from zero to a fully charged state from a standard 230V/16A European outlet, will take approximately 12 hours using the on-board charger. The Lion batteries can be charged to 80% capacity in less than an hour with a high power off-board fast charger.
As with all TH!NK vehicles, TH!NK Ox can be charged at any normal power point.
TH!NK Ox expressive front grille houses the charging point at a comfortable height, with a pull out cable that fits any normal appliance socket.
Think design
With five seats and an emphasis on interior space and comfort, this vehicle is setting the standard for future EVs. TH!NK Ox combines Scandinavian design and functionality with TH!NK’s unique lines. It is both spacious and sophisticated. The space frame cant rail is a visible styling part, running from the front to the rear wheel arch. An upright tailgate emphasises the distinct TH!NK outline and creates valuable luggage space.
The side indicator lights, prominently placed on the wheel arches, add an innovative look to exemplary functionality. The contrast between the plastic body and the aluminium exterior details such as mirrors, grille and handles, creates a truly different and innovative feel.
The TH!NK Ox interior is designed to give the driver a feeling of openness and comfort. With its large glass surfaces, TH!NK Ox provides a clear view of the traffic. The transparent tailgates allow high visibility for easy city parking. Light materials and clean simple shapes, combined with your own choices of colours and graphic design give you the option to personalise your vehicle. Inbuilt computer screens display all mandatory information as in a standard instrument cluster, plus a variety of interesting and useful functions related to driving, leisure and working.
DNA key-less entry
TH!NK Ox has a key-less entry fob setting that stores and displays the personal choices of the user. When entering the vehicle, your personal desktop, music and for example, e-mails are displayed. Seating position, mirrors and steering wheel are automatically adjusted to suit the user. The DNA-key gives the user feedback on charging status and sends messages, for example, for pre-heat or pre-cool options via GPRS.
The connected car
TH!NK Ox is highly connected, featuring real time navigation, web, e-mail and open source interfaces, intelligent and sustainable driving and route calculations. TH!NK Ox features the TH!NK connectivity platform to enable drivers and passengers to stay tuned at all times. The system also keeps track of the battery performance and allows remote diagnostics at all times.
Always connected
The TH!NK connectivity platform will be built on a fully functional computer. The system will be capable of bringing the power and experience of rich Internet applications into the car, enabling the creation of a whole new genre of smart applications. The combination of GPS and constant Internet connection provides an incredible platform for location-based search, and location-based services adapted to the vehicle.
Location-based services
Drivers will not have to waste energy or time hunting for a parking space: the system will display available parking spaces at the destination, or along the route, provide guidance to a free space, identify and choose a suitable space and even pre-reserve a suitable space for them.
“Clean tech� location-based services will help drivers locate critical services such as charging stations or standard electric outlets where the TH!NK Ox can recharge. We envisage these “public� outlets as being provided by employers, municipalities, shopping centres and universities.
Assessing both the car and the driver
TH!NK connectivity may also give drivers feedback on their driving behaviour and guidance on optimising energy usage by providing real time energy consumption information while driving. In real time, the navigation system will graphically display how far the car can go one-way, given the current battery charge level, how far the car can go round trip, and how much battery charging time is required to reach a specific destination. Additional examples of EV integration will include smart energy usage, giving the user the ability to remotely request that the vehicle be pre-heated or pre-cooled while still plugged into a power outlet, via the Internet or a mobile phone.
Green power management solutions
In conjunction with selected utility partners, the system will enable “demand side management� by charging during off-peak times, or allowing the utility the option to modulate charging during peak hours. This way, the vehicle will charge during the least expensive, lowest-demand and “cleanest power� time periods, reducing the strain on the electricity power network. The system will also enable vehicle-to-grid (V2G) applications, enabling the “time shifting� of electrical power, energy and carbon credit markets and new “green power� initiatives.
Infotainment and telematics solutions
The telematics system will include an integrated dual audio amplifier with spatial expansion to enhance the space inside the car. Audio and video player applications will provide the entertainment options that drivers and passengers expect from modern cars.
A help button with GSM voice respond will enable drivers to reach the TH!NK Service Desk for assistance. Both on-board and off-board computer systems will monitor critical car functions and will notify the driver, the owner and the service stations of any abnormalities.

[Old smart]

Th!nk is also doing stuff with the inventor of the Segway with "stirling-cycle," external combustion engines for a liquid fuel/electric hybrid.

[jwight]

Good question. My take on it is once you're into a four or five seater standard car design why not the A class Mercedes or other similar models? Nothing unique about a smart that size, where the 450 and 451 models are still niche models (at least until the iQ arrives.) My personal preference would be a 4 or 5 seater electric car or a diesel/electric hybrid. Which seems to be exactly what VW has headed for the States in the near future.

[24-42]

Originally Posted by Old smart

Th!nk is also doing stuff with the inventor of the Segway with "stirling-cycle," external combustion engines for a liquid fuel/electric hybrid.

This sounds interesting. The Sterling engine has all the potential of a 'Dark Hourse' in the race.

[smartjon]

this fourfour needs to be in the US.

[Jesse Malaysia]

I don't think that Ox concept is a forfour. But heck, I would love that body kit on my 4/4 now!

The SMART 4/4 was created as econ line for Daimler to complete at the end of the market without diluting their mercedes branding and to some extend also to improve on their carbon print. All the SMART have very low carbon footprint.

If one were to argue what the point of 4/4 instead of A class, than its the same for any 4 door car! The A class will fail on each and every class of comparison next to the 4/4 minus some higher headroom and slightly more trunk space. Remember the A class fail the elk test during press day!

The 4/4 is over priced to begin with. They should have taken volume instead of prestige margin route! If this car was priced similar to the other car in its class, it would have sold well! It was very very much overpriced in Europe and Asia Pacific. The car is great, its the marketing that failed! We got members who have driven hot hatches from Alfa 147 to the Fiat Punto and all loves its almost italian soul alike with japanese realibility! Then again with bean counter in the picture, best decision may not reach the market!

With the CPO at 130, the used car market for 4/4 is seeing renew interest on this side of the planet.