(December 10, 2011) Smart is turning the automotive world upside down once again and challenging ideas about what an urban pickup should look like. In a tongue-in-cheek manner the for-us signals that this is the right car for the young and young-at-heart with active lives who attach importance to low emissions and taking up minimum road space.

Smart has revealed a series of sketches depicting a compact, zero-emissions pickup concept that will make its public debut at next month's Detroit auto show.

Called the For-us, a name chosen to indicate its suitability for the pickup-loving U.S. market, the electric-powered two-seater was conceived as part of plans to extend the scope of the Smart lineup. There's no word on production intent.



The smart for-us translates the practical loading concept of a pickup to the reality of 21st century urban traffic for the first time. At 139.7 inches in length, 59.3 inches in width and 66.0 inches in height, the For-us is substantially longer and higher than the existing Fortwo. It also rides on a wheelbase that was extended by 24.1 inches over that of Smart's signature two-seat city car at 97.6 inches, while the tracks were pushed out by two inches both front and rear, at 52.6 inches and 56.5 inches, respectively.

Employing styling cues established on the smaller Smart For-vision concept revealed in September at the Frankfurt motor show, the For-us uses an electrically powered cargo tray that extends by 11 inches at the rear to ease loading. Traditional Smart elements include largely unadorned body panels and a two-tone color scheme. There's also a break from the brand's tradition, with borderline rugged elements to play up the pickup demeanor.

Inside, there is a basic layout with a 35.4-inch long cargo tray with an integrated docking station. It will be used on the concept car bound for Detroit to provide electrical energy to two Smart e-bikes.

The electric drive of the smart for-us is based on the innovative drive concept of the smart fortwo electric drive, which will be launched in the spring of 2012.