Smart EV pick-up set for US debut 07 | 12 | 2011

SMART WILL UNVEIL this new compact zero-emission pick-up concept — badged For-us — at next month's Detroit Motor Show.

The name has been chosen to appeal directly to the American market which remains so in love with their pick-up trucks.

The electric powered two-seater has been conceived as part of a plan to further extend the scope of the future Smart line-up through the addition of new models.

Worth highlighting though that officials have steered clear from confirming the For-us will actually make it into full production.

Having said that, there are various styling elements, plus the basic dimensions and newly developed platform of the For-us, which we should accept as having been lifted directly from the upcoming second-generation For-four. The For-four is being developed in partnership with Renault.

See more official photos of the new Smart For-us

Smart has continued with its family styling approach, with largely unadorned body panels and a two-tone colour scheme. The For-us also get an electrically-powered cargo tray that motors out by 280mm at the rear to ease loading.

The cabin remains fairly basic, with accommodation for two people. There's also a 900mm long cargo tray with what Smart describes as an integrated docking station. Smart will use the station in Detroit to provide electrical energy to two Smart E-bikes.

As you might expect, the For-us is significantly longer than the existing For-two. At 3547mm long, 1506mm wide and 1701mm tall, the pick-up concept is actually 852mm longer and 161mm higher than the For-two.

The pick-up's wheelbase has also been extended by 613mm over that of Smart’s city car at 2480mm. And the track has been widened by 50mm at both the front and the rear.

The car is powered by the same 74bhp plug-in electric system used on the Smart For-two Electric Drive on sale in Europe.

Read our roadtest of the new 2012 Audi A4

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Jim McGill