smart fans experience the future at International Motor Show Frankfurt

smart fans experience the future at International Motor Show Frankfurt

September 13, 2017 • News

Frankfurt. Interaction with customers is a central focus of smart’s stand in hall 2.0 at the International Motor Show Frankfurt. This includes test drives, the daily Future Talk, the possibility for visitors to create an individual trim part for the smart with an innovative printing process, and the new smart experience‑e app. In addition, visitors to the stand can experience the future of the automobile for themselves: with the smart vision EQ fortwo, smart is presenting a vision for urban mobility and individualised, highly flexible and efficient public car sharing. Further highlights include vehicles featuring the latest model year modifications and the smart BRABUS “15th anniversary edition”: this special model brings even more dynamism to towns and cities.

smart experienc-e app: experience electric mobility interactively. Following the smart fortwo coupé and smart forfour (combined power consumption: 12.9/13.1 kWh/100 km; combined CO₂ emissions: 0 g/km) the smart fortwo cabrio with battery-electric drive (combined power consumption: 13.0 kWh/100 km; combined CO₂ emissions: 0 g/km) has now been launched. The range of smart electric drive models can be experienced interactively and playfully with the new smart experience‑e app. 3D model, component scanner and range simulator are the three main functions of the free app for iOS and Android:

3D model: three-dimensional views of the smart electric drive have touchpoints. If one of these points is selected on a smartphone or tablet PC, films, animations or explanations of the vehicle component or display in question open up.
Component scanner: with the camera of a smartphone components and displays can be scanned directly in the smart electric drive, for example at a motor show or at a dealership. Once the objects have been visually scanned an explanation of the corresponding function follows.
Range simulator: the individual range of the smart electric drive can be calculated here. The simulation considers whether the car is travelling at a low speed through the city or on country roads with a higher average speed. Further parameters such as tyre size, exterior temperature and activation/deactivation of air conditioning and pre-entry climate control are also included.

unleash the colour: individual trim parts thanks to an innovative printing procedure

smart fans are creative and love variety. Even now there are barely two smarts that look exactly alike. With unleash the colour smart offers a look at further ways of individualising a smart. For example, at the International Motor Show Frankfurt smart demonstrates how digitalisation and new printing technologies enable individual small series or individual parts to be quickly and easily realised for the interior.

The entire process is digitalised – from the first design draft to the finished individual trim part. To start with a configurator app is used to design selected interior trim parts (air vents, instrument cover and multimedia interface panel) with a motif of the customer’s choice. The entire design can be viewed immediately on a tablet and as virtual reality (VR). The design is then optimised for printing and printed in colour and with tactile effects on the surfaces of the real parts.

Visitors to the smart stand can choose between two levels of individualisation:

choose provides ideas for quick individualisation with various design suggestions which can be viewed realistically on a tablet and with VR glasses in the virtual vehicle.
create takes personalisation a step further: visitors can photograph a motif of their choice with the camera of the tablet. The configurator transfers the motif virtually to the trim parts and visualises it in real time as virtual reality. This enables the visitor to experience the trim parts personalised with their motif in the car with the help of a tablet and VR glasses.

The digital printer is in the direct vicinity of the smart stand in the Mercedes FabLab (level 1). Here visitors can see how the trim parts are printed and find out about the innovative printing process and the technology.

smart at the me Convention

A further distinctive feature of the presentation in Frankfurt is the me Convention, a new joint event format by Mercedes-Benz and South by Southwest^® (SXSW^®). It will take place from 15 – 17 September with the hashtag #createthenew. In the context of this, smart is once again organising the “urban pioneers idea contest”. During the me Convention twelve national and international start-ups will compete against one another with their innovative products in the field of “New Urbanism” and will vie for prize money and the “smart urban pioneers support program”.

Young companies can take part which have developed business ideas with very good market potential and a business purpose relating to Urban Living Solutions, Urban Electrical Solutions and Urban Environmental Solutions.

The start-ups apply to the jury with a video and present their project during a three minute drive in a smart electric drive on a test track. The jury consists of experts from Daimler and opinion leaders from the start-up scene. The audience can vote for or against the idea in real time, and this is also incorporated in the evaluation. The best rated concepts reach the final round which will take place on the last day of the me Convention. Prizes will be awarded at the me Convention Urban Stage. As well as prize money of €20,000, the winner can look forward to the “smart urban pioneers support program” which accompanies the start-up over a period of twelve months with various modules. The second and third winners each receive €10,000 and €5,000.

New in the model year: the perfect equipment line and voice-operated control with Siri and Google Now

The smart fortwo, smart fortwo cabrio and smart forfour will start the new model year this autumn with numerous upgrades. The cars on display at the International Motor Show feature this extensive update.

The perfect equipment line is a new line with a sporty and elegant look in the colours black and brown. Highlights include seats in leather look and fabric in black/brown with brown topstitching and air vents in grey. The new 15‑inch alloy wheels painted in black and with a high-sheen finish make a dynamic statement. The perfect equipment line replaces the proxy equipment line.

Introduced with the smart electric drive, Active Brake Assist will be available as an option in numerous countries from model year 2017, also in conjunction with 52 and 66 kW combustion engines. Active Brake Assist works with radar and from a speed of 30 km/h it emits a warning sound to alert the driver’s attention to the risk of a collision detected with a vehicle driving ahead. Should the driver neither brake nor take evasive action despite the warning signal, the car autonomously initiates slight braking. If the driver reacts by braking, additional braking assistance is provided in this dangerous situation. Active Brake Assist can therefore help to prevent accidents with vehicles ahead or to reduce the severity of any accident.

The smart Audio-System (in combination with the lines) and the smart Media-System now includes voice-operated smartphone control with Siri (operating system iOS 6 and higher and Google Now (operating system Android 4.1 and higher). The new voice-operated smartphone control can be activated by pressing and holding the push-to-talk button on the multifunction steering wheel.

A further new feature is the improved USB charging socket for the smart Media-System in the centre console. This enables a smartphone to be charged even more quickly.

In addition, the Android Auto App can be used with compatible smartphones with a USB connection. Android Auto enables smartphone content to be mirrored on the screen and operated via the touchscreen. The display elements of the navigation function have been modified.

In conjunction with the Cool & media package the smart electric drive models additionally get the Charge Spot Finder. This new function enables electricity charging stations nearby or in a certain city to be found with the navigation system.

Exterior paintwork is now available in the new colour “autumn brown“. Furthermore, an automatically dipping rear mirror is available as a new optional extra.

An exclusive gem: smart BRABUS “15th anniversary edition”

The edition model created by smart BRABUS to celebrate 15 years of collaboration is elegant, sporty and exclusive. The smart BRABUS “15th anniversary edition” is available as a fortwo coupé and cabrio and with a choice of two turbocharged engines (66 kW and 80 kW; fuel consumption, combined: 4.6-4.1 l/100 km; CO₂ emissions, combined:
104-96 g/km) as well as in an electric drive variant (60 kW, coupé only; electrical consumption, combined: 12.9 kWh/100 km; combined CO₂ emissions: 0 g/km). The hallmarks of the edition model are its comprehensive package of appointments as well as its individual paint finish in anniversary silver and its tailor made leather package for the interior in espresso brown. The special model will be produced in a limited edition of 150 units. It is available to order with immediate effect, with the first vehicles due to arrive with dealers towards the end of the year.

smart fans experience the future at International Motor Show Frankfurt https://t.co/VLcKKcsVg4 #ArriveAlive pic.twitter.com/M0xb2qaalC

— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) September 13, 2017