The 2012 Geneva Motor Show will play host to a refreshed Smart ForTwo, but we won’t have to wait until the show to see what Smart is planning on doing to their micro compact car.

The facelifted Smart ForTwo has some minor exterior changes with a new front bumper that comes equipped with a new mesh grille and air intakes and a redesigned front-upper grille while the rear bumper also gets some tweaks. Engine choices, at least out in Europe, will still be the 1.0L three-cylinder powerplant either naturally aspirated, turbocharged or diesel. The naturally aspirated engine has 61-hp while the turbocharged powerplant pushes out 102-hp. The diesel is equipped with 54-hp.

After its scheduled debut in March at the Geneva Motor Show, the refreshed Smart ForTwo will be available at dealerships all across Europe.

GALLERY: Refreshed Smart ForTwo

[Source: Autoevolution]

Hollywood comedian John Lovitz was on hand in Detroit to help launch the Smart For-Us pick-up concept at the 2012 North American International Auto Show today.

Smart might have struggled with sales here in the USA with their fortwo model, but globally this eco-minded brand sold over 100,000 units in 2011.

To capture the American market, Smart is hoping that their new For-Us concept, which is billed as an urban-truck will resonate better in our market. This pick-up however is not designed to carry construction workers and their gear to work. No, the For-Us is aimed towards young couples with an active life-style. So if you are looking for a vehicle to carry your mountain-bikes up to your favorite trail, this would do, just as long as that trail is not too far away.

The For-Us is an electric vehicle and uses the same 55kW motor and 17.6kWh lithium-ion battery pack first seen on the all-electric Smart fortwo. Range is thus pegged at 86-miles on a full-charge. Performance numbers are a similar story, its brisk, but not fast. acceleration from 0-37 mph takes about 5-seconds.

Will this vehicle just be a concept? Very likely, but it shows that Smart is trying to expand its customer base and market share.

GALLERY: Smart forus Concept

If you were one of the unfortunate kids who never got a Power Wheels for your birthday, you might be in luck thanks to Smart.

No it’s not a joke, though it is just a concept car. Smart sent out a press release today detailing its new For-Us pickup truck. With the most serious face you can muster, picture this: Smart’s latest attempt to grab U.S. attention is small enough to fit inside an average pickup truck bed. The little thing measures a miniature 11.6 feet and features a bed just big enough to squeeze a couple of bikes with their front wheels removed.

Smart said in their release that the ultra-compact pickup could be useful for accessing areas traditional trucks cant fit into, like small trails. Despite the obvious limitations around owning a pickup smaller than some golf carts, the Smart For-Us might have a sliver of merit: it’s an EV. Perhaps if the company sees its way to marketing this little utility buggy, the world might have it’s first zero-emissions pickup truck. Just try not to go too far out into the bush. You wouldn’t want to run out of battery power on the “isolated trails” Smart suggests taking the For-Us on.

If you’re still curious, more details are set to emerge on this curious creation at the 2012 North American International Auto Show.

You can sound polite and say “inexpensive” but if you’re strapped for cash, the most important question when shopping for a new car is: what’s the cheapest car on the market? AutoGuide has got the answer, along with the nine runners up.

Toyota‘s warmed-over Yaris makes the 10th spot on our list with a base price of $14,115 for the 3-door model. The pricier 5-door will run you $15,150.

Using a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder like many of its counterparts the Yaris makes 106-hp and is rated at 38-mpg on the highway making it one of the most efficient models in its class, but not the most efficient. Growing three inches overall, Toyota claims the new car has 68 percent more cargo room than the outgoing model, which it shares a near-identical resemblance with. Standard on all models is air conditioning, nine airbags and power windows.

The Smart fortwo might be the butt of jokes Stateside, but the city car has managed to move 500,000 copies worldwide after launching in its second generation four years ago.

Sales this year are up 6.6 percent, and an electric version is due to launch in the spring of 2012. While other version of the Smart, such as the ill-fated forfour fourseater, haven’t fared well, Smart is looking to expand their horizons by launching products like an electric bicycle in the coming years.

Daimler and German chemical company BASF have teamed up to produce the electric Smart Forvision concept vehicle which premiered at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show.  The result is a futuristic-looking Smart car with several innovations designed to maximize energy efficiency from the electric drivetrain.

The Smart Forvision concept uses five new technologies designed to conserve as well as generate energy: transparent organic solar cells, transparent organic light-emitting diodes, new lightweight components, plastic wheels and infrared-reflective materials.

The solar cells on the roof are based on organic chemical dyes. According to BASF, the solar cells can collect enough energy even in low-light situations to power the car’s multimedia components and climate control fans.

Energy-efficient organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) supply interior lighting using half as much power as conventional energy-saving lamps.

The all-plastic wheels, a first designed for mass production use, provide weight savings of up to 7 pounds compared to aluminum wheels. Other light-weight components include carbon fiber re-inforced epoxy resin doors which BASF claims are half the weight of steel doors and 30% lighter than aluminum. The material also allows for the eye-catching 3D creasing effect on the Forvision’s doors.

A non-metal infrared-reflective film applied to the windshield and windows help keep the car interior cool. Unlike metallic films used in some other vehicles, the BASF material only reflects infrared light and does not interfere with radio frequencies used for Bluetooth devices, GPS navigation systems and mobile phones.

GALLERY: Smart Forvision Concept

The Smart car has sold reasonably well around the world, but it has hardly been the sales success its maker wishes it was. To keep the interest of car buyers, every now and then, it comes up with a special edition model.

At this years Frankfurt Auto Show, Smart will show a model that it has developed with the street fashion brand WeSC. This special “Tailor Made” model is being prepared by Mercedes-tuner Brabus and will feature a special gold paint that is gloss in some areas and matte in others. Special jet black wheels and custom leather interior also sets this fortwo cabrio model apart from the regular smart.

The people at Smart also designed a new set of headphones, which will be sold through WeSC shops and Concept Stores around the world.

This special Smart with a 100-hp turbocharged motor will be on display starting September 13 at the Frankfurt Motor Show alongside the new Forvision concept. Look for live photos from AutoGuide’s coverage here.

GALLERY: Smart WeSC

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With little in the way of new product, Smart is set to debut yet another concept, this time at the Frankfurt Auto Show. Taking design inspiration from the Smart Forspeed concept that was first shown at the Geneva Auto Show, the Forvision concept is a look at just how efficient the rest of the car can be made in order to get the most out of an electric drivetrain. As a result, the Daimler sub-brand has created a concept that focuses on reducing vehicle weight, while also better managing the effects environmental temperatures have on the cabin.

In terms of reducing weight, the car uses light weight carbon fiber body components as well as the first use of an all-plastic wheel that is, “suitable for high-volume production.” Developed by BASF, Smart claims it weights almost 7 lbs less than a conventional aluminum wheel, while initial durability tests have proven it is up to the task for production use.

In terms of temperature management, the Forvision uses a solar panel roof that can power the car’s HVAC and multimedia controls. Keeping heat outside the car is heat-reflective paint, while inside custom light weight seats use a fleece fabric instead of a venting and heating functions as a natural solution to temperature management. In addition, a heat-reflecting film has been used on the windows, while special heat-reflecting paint has been used on the interior materials to ensure they don’t absorb the sun’s rays.

GALLERY: Smart Forvision

The third generation Smart fortwo is on its way, hitting dealers in the spring of 2012. The electric Smart car will roll off the production line in Hamback, France and will be available in more than thirty markets worldwide when released.

The third generation smart fortwo electric drive features a fifty-five kW magneto-electric motor, churning out 130 lb-ft of torque. The fortwo will accelerate from 0-62 mph in less than thirteen seconds, and have a top speed of more than 120 km/h. The 17.6 kWh battery allows the car to travel more than 140 kilometers before needing a recharge.

“The smart fortwo has exceeded itself. It has always been a pioneer of urban mobility and with the new electric drive it is once again setting standards with even more driving fun and environmental compatibility,” says Dr. Annette Winkler, Head of smart. “With the new generation the frequently cited “electric era” has finally arrived.”

The third- gen Smart car will feature a larger radiator grille featuring the electric drive logo, stylish LED lights below the headlights, wider door sills and several modifications to the rear of the vehicle. Smart has also teamed up with iPhone to create a drive app. Important features include making phone calls via hands-free system, your own extensive music collection, internet radio and a navigation system.

With the e-bike set for production in 2012, Smart takes to two wheels—just in time to tap into the growing two-wheeled market.

According to Smart’s figures, bicycle sales soared in Germany from 70,000 bikes sold in 2007 to 200,000 last year. And power-assisted bicycles will make up 15% of all two-wheeled sales by 2018. The rest of Europe bought 700,000 juiced-up bikes last year, up from 500,000 in 2009—a 40% increase.

Smart is banking on unconventional styling and its name recognition to filter down from its cars, which are almost already the same size. It integrates the powerplant in a y-shaped frame, with front and rear mudguards. The 250-watt electric motor, developed by BionX, turns on as soon as the pedals are turned, and power is sent to the 3-speed rear wheel hub via belt drive.

One charge from the 400-Wh lithium-ion battery can go for over 100 kilometers, but if the rider runs out of juice halfway through the ride, it can be charged through riding.

There’s no price announced for the ebike, but given Smart’s name recognition and premium, it won’t be cheap.

Smart is looking to increase its ForTwo sales and perhaps generate some buzz around its lone model by releasing a limited edition Pearlgray version to the European market. (It’s currently unknown whether or not it’ll make its way to the United States).

Based on the ForTwo’s Passion model, the limited edition Pearlgray will be available in coupe or convertible form and features a unique paint scheme of graphite grey with a contrasting silver safety cell. Larger 15-inch wheels also give the ForTwo a sportier look.

Since the Pearlgray is based on the Passion model, it will come with power windows, automatic temperature control air conditioning, and a transparent panoramic roof. The interior does get a similar color treatment with contrasting crystal gray leather and fabric. Optional equipment on the Pearlgray include heated seats and navigation. Two engine choices will be available, a 71-hp or 84-hp three-cylinder powerplant.

The Pearlgray starts at around $20,850 and can top out at $26,100 with all its options.

GALLERY: Smart ForTwo Pearlgray Limited Edition