Filed under: Economy, Trucks/Pickups, Etc., Euro, Commercial Trucks, Crossovers/CUVs, Hatchbacks, Daimler
smart forfun2 a monster good time
With the recent announcement that Roger Penske's UnitedAuto Group will be offering SMART FourTwos in the US in 2008, DaimlerChrysler has decided to have a little fun and show people what the SMART brand is all about. To that end they have married a SMART car to a Unimog chassis developed by Greek rally racer Stefan Attart. Although similar to a vehicle created in 2005, known as the forfun, the forfun2 has a much higher stance and manages to be cute and imposing at the same time.
OK, so it's no Smartuki, but it's still wacky enough to be entertaining. While the Smartuki replaced the SMART 3-cylinder with a Suzuki GSXR1000 mill that had been massaged to 180 hp, this beast is Unimog powered. Although only capable of 84 hp, the torque is impressive at 191 ft-lbs. The quarter-mile might be a challenge, but rocks, sand and MINIs should be no problem: full press release and additional photos after the jump.
[Source: DaimlerChrysler]
smart forfun2: The combination of two vehicles with cult status
Stuttgart, Sep 13, 2006
The smart forfun, a smart forfour with monster truck ambitions, caused quite a stir at the Athens Motor Show in November 2005. Following the extremely positive response to this, the decision to develop a further vehicle with a similar character was a logical step.
Following the initiative of Mercedes-Benz Hellas, Stefan Attart (46), Greek Champion in 4x4 Rally Races had clear ideas: the new off-road vehicle should have the body of a smart fortwo. A suitable platform now had to be found.
Awakening the inner child
DaimlerChrysler has always had an unusually large range of off-road vehicles -- from the M-Class to the G-model and the Unimog. One look at the smart forfun2 (pronounced smart for-fun to the second) and you see straightaway that it is based on a Mercedes-Benz Unimog 406 series.
This is what makes it so fascinating: the combination of two vehicles, each of which has achieved cult status in its respective segment. So it's no wonder that the smart forfun2 awakens the inner child in everyone who sees it.
Combining vehicle and platform
But first things first: once the platform for the smart forfun2 had been decided, in January of this year Stefan Attart started working on the first designs. It goes without saying that there's more to an off-road vehicle like this than simply screwing four wheels under a smart fortwo.
Based on technical drawings of both vehicles, a design was created that for the first time clearly showed the direction the new vehicle was to take. Stefan Attart laid down the design that was to connect the vehicle with the platform, and precise attachment points were defined on the axles and the chassis.
Oversized dimensions
The engine and transmission were adopted from the Unimog. The OM 352, a six-cylinder diesel engine with a capacity of 5,675 cc, was given a prominent and clearly visible position on the front axle. It delivers 84 bhp -- an impressive figure for the smart forfun2. The diesel version of the production car has a 41 bhp engine.
The dimensions also turn heads: tyres on 26 inch rims with a diameter of 140 cm. Not to mention ground clearance of 65 centimetres and an unbelievable total height of 3.7 metres.
Maximum off-road mobility
The designers wanted to give the smart forfun2 maximum off-road mobility -- and the platform of the 406 offers optimum prerequisites for off-road driving. The off-road character is further emphasized by oversized wheels and the safety cage made of aluminium tubes.
To optimise the vehicle for off-road driving, in addition to special shock absorbers Stefan Attart fitted manually controlled air suspension. This enables the driver to specifically influence individual springs -- a particular advantage on extreme downhill gradients.
Uncompromising vehicle concept
Everything in one car that is sure to divide opinions -- or boys from men. Two vehicles, which each represent an uncompromising vehicle concept in their respective environments, and yet remain unique. And this combination in the smart forfun2 is sure to cause even more controversy.
As with the real smart fortwo, some people are sure to find the concept of the smart forfun2 too radical, whilst others will love it -- with not many opinions in-between. However running apart from the herd is probably the best prerequisite for achieving cult status.
Stuttgart, Sep 13, 2006
The smart forfun, a smart forfour with monster truck ambitions, caused quite a stir at the Athens Motor Show in November 2005. Following the extremely positive response to this, the decision to develop a further vehicle with a similar character was a logical step.
Following the initiative of Mercedes-Benz Hellas, Stefan Attart (46), Greek Champion in 4x4 Rally Races had clear ideas: the new off-road vehicle should have the body of a smart fortwo. A suitable platform now had to be found.
Awakening the inner child
DaimlerChrysler has always had an unusually large range of off-road vehicles -- from the M-Class to the G-model and the Unimog. One look at the smart forfun2 (pronounced smart for-fun to the second) and you see straightaway that it is based on a Mercedes-Benz Unimog 406 series.
This is what makes it so fascinating: the combination of two vehicles, each of which has achieved cult status in its respective segment. So it's no wonder that the smart forfun2 awakens the inner child in everyone who sees it.
Combining vehicle and platform
But first things first: once the platform for the smart forfun2 had been decided, in January of this year Stefan Attart started working on the first designs. It goes without saying that there's more to an off-road vehicle like this than simply screwing four wheels under a smart fortwo.
Based on technical drawings of both vehicles, a design was created that for the first time clearly showed the direction the new vehicle was to take. Stefan Attart laid down the design that was to connect the vehicle with the platform, and precise attachment points were defined on the axles and the chassis.
Oversized dimensions
The engine and transmission were adopted from the Unimog. The OM 352, a six-cylinder diesel engine with a capacity of 5,675 cc, was given a prominent and clearly visible position on the front axle. It delivers 84 bhp -- an impressive figure for the smart forfun2. The diesel version of the production car has a 41 bhp engine.
The dimensions also turn heads: tyres on 26 inch rims with a diameter of 140 cm. Not to mention ground clearance of 65 centimetres and an unbelievable total height of 3.7 metres.
Maximum off-road mobility
The designers wanted to give the smart forfun2 maximum off-road mobility -- and the platform of the 406 offers optimum prerequisites for off-road driving. The off-road character is further emphasized by oversized wheels and the safety cage made of aluminium tubes.
To optimise the vehicle for off-road driving, in addition to special shock absorbers Stefan Attart fitted manually controlled air suspension. This enables the driver to specifically influence individual springs -- a particular advantage on extreme downhill gradients.
Uncompromising vehicle concept
Everything in one car that is sure to divide opinions -- or boys from men. Two vehicles, which each represent an uncompromising vehicle concept in their respective environments, and yet remain unique. And this combination in the smart forfun2 is sure to cause even more controversy.
As with the real smart fortwo, some people are sure to find the concept of the smart forfun2 too radical, whilst others will love it -- with not many opinions in-between. However running apart from the herd is probably the best prerequisite for achieving cult status.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Richard Warren 1:52PM (9/13/2006)
LOL, love it!
Reply
D-Dog 2:06PM (9/13/2006)
This would have been great for the Dream Cruise!
Reply
DPC car videos 2:15PM (9/13/2006)
That smart is amazing, i want one with a turbo Suzuki hayabusa engine.
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Ken 2:37PM (9/13/2006)
please tell me that a 5.7L diesel with a turbo larger than a human head makes more than the stated 84hp.
If that's the hp I'd expect the torque to be close to 800ftlbs!!!
Reply
VW-Guy 3:04PM (9/13/2006)
That is sooo stupid.
I love it!
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Ron 3:08PM (9/13/2006)
I want one! ...ok, I want 5!
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GT 3:41PM (9/13/2006)
I googled the OM 352 engine referenced and it appears somebody messed up their kW to hp conversion. The engine is rated at 96 kW = 128 hp. This is also a very old Unimog and that engine is NOT tubocharged. But still rather useful off-road!
Reply
chantel 4:12PM (9/13/2006)
I've been following the smar Car progress for some time. This is one of the rather impressive concepts but I'm still in love with the teeny tiny original.
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Laura 4:17PM (9/13/2006)
This cracks me the hell up.
Reply
RWD fan 4:33PM (9/13/2006)
The Smartuki is for sale:
Check out http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2006/09/11/smartuki-finished-again-and-for-sale/
Reply
Ford Mustang 6:00PM (9/13/2006)
I have to say that I'm really not a fan of these vehicles, but this thing is pretty awesome!
Reply
James 7:24PM (9/13/2006)
This is almost as bad as the Hemi powered Trike...
http://www.cartv.com/content/research/channels/index.cfm/channel/cartv_video/action/showvideo/vid/o_0080
Almost as bad, but not yet there. :-)
James
Reply
David 1:59PM (9/14/2006)
I think the original car might be easier to park using conventional methods, but you could park pretty much anywhere with this; just drive onto the car in the space you want, and drive off when you leave.
Reply
Chass 2:10PM (9/14/2006)
That looks dangerous. Its too tall and too short. I would be afraid that it would fall over if you leaned on it. I can't imagine it has any more offroad ability than your average 4wd import pickup. It looks like a toy you might get in a McDonalds happy meal not something that belongs on the street.
Chass
ct
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show cars 9:55AM (9/15/2006)
Genial ideea!
A little car and what wheels !!!
Reply
Curtis Dowdy 7:25AM (9/20/2006)
Are they going to produce this and if so, how much? I think it is a very cool invention. Keep up the good work.
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Ken 7:41AM (9/20/2006)
Awesome! I want one to reach my hunting and fishing spots where my truck will not go because trails are to
narrow.
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Larry Derevensky 7:59AM (9/20/2006)
I Love it !! I own a Smart in the USA now, everyone looks at me and my Smart. I could only imagin driving the Smartforfun WOW !!
Reply
Stephanie 8:03AM (9/20/2006)
Rather neat!
Reply
Mike 8:23AM (9/20/2006)
Just when you thouught you've seen it all! This goes to show that anything with a motor can be, and will be modified. Case in point; the motorized barstool! Great idea though. I'd like to have one just because.
Reply