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Smart Forvision concept

Smart will unveil its new Forvision concept car at the 2011 Frankfurt motor as the manufacturer continues its preview its future design direction. In the last 12 months the company has revealed its Forspeed and eScooter concepts, with the latest addition designed to keep to the original ForTwo's green specifications. The Forvision uses the latest Smart electric drive system, which Daimler claims will add approximately 20 percent to the range of the current electric Smart, with an EV range of around 110 miles. The vehicle's paintwork and glass can reflect heat – on a hot day it can apparently cool the interior by around 20° C. The concept also has a glass roof, with Daimler is in the process of developing transparent solar charging technology.

Mercedes Electric Drive B-Class at Paris 2012

Mercedes has revealed an electric version of the new B-Class – the B-Class Electric Drive Concept – which will debut at Paris 2012. Mercedes has revealed the electric B-Class in the guise of the B-Class Electric Drive Concept – a name Mercedes say will find its way on to the boot of all electric Mercedes, Smart and Tesla cars – which previews a production version by 2014. Powering the B-Class Electric Drive is the Smart electric Drive powerplant, located in the space normally taken up by the ICE, which offers 134bhp and a healthy 228lb/ft of torque with the batteries to power the electric motor housed in what Mercedes are calling the B-Class’s Energy space ahead of the rear axle.

New car sales up by 3% on 2013

ANOTHER RISE in new car sales in February has meant purchases have increased every month for two years. A total of 68,736 vehicles were registered last month - a 3% rise on the total for February 2013, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said. Sales for the first two months of this year have totalled 223,298 - a 6.1% rise on the total for the first two months of 2013 SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said the two years of continuous growth was "a real endorsement of consumer confidence and the attractiveness of the new car market".