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THE ITALIAN COACHBUILDER SITE

Smart Fortwo Bertone

2019

THE VEHICLE AT A GLANCE

Model dossier

Production period
2019
Body style
Hatchback
Engine
Electric
Type
Concept

THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE CAR

Coachbuilding, design & conversions

PRICE & SALES RECORD

Vehicle value

Original price
Not documented
Latest recorded sale
Not documented

01 / THE STORY

History & context

The Smart Fortwo Bertone is a unique variant of the popular Smart Fortwo, incorporating advanced Formula 1 technology to enhance its performance and efficiency. Central to this innovation is the Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS), which recovers energy during braking and restores it during acceleration, boosting both efficiency and performance. The integration of KERS in the Smart Fortwo Bertone was a collaborative effort involving several international teams. The German team played a pivotal role in integrating the KERS with two engines located in the front wheel hubs. This design optimizes propulsion control, ensuring a smooth and efficient driving experience. Meanwhile, the French team adapted the ground connections to ensure that the KERS system and the additional engines could function seamlessly together. On the design front, the Italian team, working under the renowned Bertone brand, brought the vehicle’s aesthetic and functional design elements together. Bertone’s expertise in vehicle design ensured that the Smart Fortwo Bertone not only performed exceptionally well but also stood out with a stylish and innovative look. The KERS technology, commonly seen in Formula 1 cars, allows the Smart Fortwo Bertone to recover kinetic energy during braking. This energy is then stored and used to provide an additional power boost during acceleration, improving overall efficiency and performance. The integration of this system in a compact city car like the Fortwo Bertone is a testament to the possibilities of advanced automotive technology in everyday vehicles. The Smart Fortwo Bertone exemplifies a successful collaboration between engineering and design teams across different countries, each contributing their expertise to create a vehicle that is both technologically advanced and visually appealing. This innovative approach not only enhances the driving experience but also sets a new standard for what can be achieved with compact, energy-efficient vehicles.

02 / TECHNICAL IDENTITY

Specifications & construction

Production & construction

Production type
Concept
Mechanical platform
Smart ForTwo Electric Drive
Production notes
Contemporary AKKA partner and Elaphe sources identify the 2019 Smart Bertone as an AKKA-led electric concept, with AKKA responsible for powertrain, integration, vehicle design and styling and Bertone used within the design/branding programme. Clear ORG-BERTONE from physical coachbuilder_key; preserve Bertone as project/design branding context. NO_AUTO_INHERIT.

Engine & performance

Engine configuration
Electric
Specification notes
Contemporary AKKA/partner material explicitly identifies the 2019 Smart Bertone as an electric concept based on the Smart ForTwo Electric Drive. No donor battery/output/performance data are inherited.

Design & manufacture

Body Builder · Documented
Bertone
Manufacturer · Documented
Smart

06 / EVENTS & AWARDS

Events & awards

No events or documented awards are currently recorded for this vehicle.

08 / FROM THE ARCHIVE

Archive

References held in the vehicle dossier. Their inclusion does not establish that every historical claim has been independently verified.

ReferenceSource type
ERTICO Newsroom / AKKA — Smart Bertone concept erticonetwork.com Partner press release
Elaphe — AKKA Smart Bertone racecar in-wheel.com Project partner primary source

THE CONVERSATION

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