2015 Smart Fortwo Passion Coupe on 2040-cars

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If you're a Daimler exec, you'll soon have to drive an EV

Luckily, for Daimler's "senior level" managers, the company has a lot of plug-in vehicle options. Lucky because "in the future," these managers will have to drive the company's electrified vehicles. This most likely means a plug-in hybrid – something like the C 350 e or the GLE 500 e 4MATIC – but it could also be the all-electric and peppy Smart ED or the B-Class EV. Board member Ola Kallenius said in a statement (available below) that this new policy, "We are continuing on the path of zero-emission driving with consistency. This is why we are making electric mobility an integral part of the everyday lives of our top management to set an example and to provide a clear role model." It's a big change from five years ago, when Daimler's director of fuel cell and battery drive development, Christian Mohrdieck, was willing to talk up the drawbacks EVs face. Even a year ago, Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche explained the financial hardships involved in making EVs. But, EV technology continues to change, and so, perhaps, do the attitudes inside Daimler. As EV advocate Chelsea Sexton said on Facebook regarding this new policy, "This should be standard procedure in any automaker seeking a leadership role in the plug-in vehicle movement. Commitment starts at the top." Related Video: Electric Mobility: Daimler Management leads by example Daimler is once again setting a new milestone on the road to zero-emission driving: In the future managers will drive electrified company cars. Furthermore, Daimler is this year set to invest a further 30 million euros into extending the company's own charging infrastructure across many of its sites. This will also benefit employees, who have access to a growing range of vehicles with alternative drive systems. Stuttgart. It represents a further commitment from Daimler to an electric future for mobility: "We are continuing on the path of zero-emission driving with consistency", states Ola Kallenius, member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG responsible for Mercedes-Benz Cars Sales and Marketing, about the importance of the current initiative. "This is why we are making electric mobility an integral part of the everyday lives of our top management to set an example and to provide a clear role model." The agreement applies to the company's senior levels of management and focuses on plug-in hybrids.

No FWD Smart crossover in the works, but two concepts headed for Frankfurt

If you're a fan of Daimler's Smart brand, here is some potentially good news for you today. First, a pair of concept vehicles will be on display at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month previewing the next-gen Fortwo and Forfour models, and more interestingly, Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche has stated that are no plans to offer a front-engine, front-drive vehicle for the Smart brand, both reports according to Autocar.
There has been no shortage of concept vehicles from Smart in recent years, but with the Fortwo and Forfour due out in the next year or two, these concepts could be pretty close to the production designs. As for future products beyond these two models, Zetsche told Autocar the rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout is a "defining feature" for Smart, and a future crossover model will be based on the new Forfour platform rather than sharing its platform with a more conventional product in the Daimler portfolio.

Smart wants to rock the block party 'till your hair turns gray [w/video]

Smart is hoping to create a rocking party in a compact package to go on tour this summer in Europe with its collaboration with speaker company JBL. The two brands have packed the biggest sound system possible into a Fortwo for a one-off creation, dubbed the Forgigs. Smart refers to the Forgigs as "the world's smallest concert hall," which is probably overselling its capabilities a little. Still, the diminutive car is crammed with 5,720 watts of sonic power. The company claims that the setup can generate up to 150 decibels of sound thanks to five amplifiers, 16 speakers, and two 11.8-inch subwoofers. Getting all of this equipment into the tiny vehicle makes for a tight fit, though. There's 328-feet of cable inside and 107.6 square feet of extra insulation. The speakers are arrayed throughout the interior, including three in each door and four tweeters that are mounted in the dashboard. Of course, packing this kind of system into a Smart Fortwo is fairly absurd from the outset. It might have been more impressive to see the companies decide to go even further and build the type of world-shaking setup that competes in car stereo competitions. Check out the video below to see what we mean. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. smart and JBL build the world's smallest mobile concert hall: smart fortwo with incredible sound Stuttgart, May 13, 2015 Stuttgart. The smart forgigs study realised together with audio partner JBL is probably the world's smallest concert hall on wheels. The high-end sound system in this fortwo has a total maximum power output of 5720 watts. Every smart owner knows how great small can be. But the smart forgigs study reveals completely new qualities: together with audio partner JBL, the developers of the brand wanted to find out what kind of a sound experience is possible when the city coupe is equipped with the finest and most powerful audio components. The result is a mobile sound system that brings even more joie de vivre to the city with a mighty sound. And that's not all: the smart forgigs can also serve as a mobile amplifier for live concerts by street musicians, for example. smart and music fans can experience the world's smallest concert hall when it goes on a European tour this summer.