egmCarTech

According to a series of patent drawings obtained by AutoCar, Mercedes-Benz is working on a 2+1 Smart car that will compete with the new Toyota iQ. Influenced by the McLaren F1 supercar, the driver seat of the new three-seater Smart is positioned at the center of the vehicle with a pair of passenger seats set further back.

The three-seater Smart will join the compact car company’s lineup as a sportier alternative to the ForTwo with a sloping roofline and limited trunk space.

Insiders at Mercedes-Benz say that nothing is official yet and don’t expect to see anything on the road until 2014. Sources say that the model could take the name “ForThree.”

Power will most likely come from a new 3-cylinder gasoline and diesel engine. Also on the drawing board is a new 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: AutoCar

Related Posts:

1. Marchionne’s 5-year product plan gets early reveal, Fiat to cut most Chrysler’s models
2. Report: Ferrari files for 4×4 hybrid system patent
3. Smart ForTwo +2: Four-seater, four-door Smart on the way
4. Smart fits 13 people into a Smart ForTwo
5. Land Rover working on a new 7-seater SUV