Friday, March 30, 2018

CEstar Smart? from China?

I found an article at Car News China on a car called CEstar Smart. It seems to be the only one that was made and its current location is unknown.

I have a feeling it is based on the Chinese 'smart' car instead of the Smart Fortwo that is made in France.
this photo is from the article site. From what I can see, it looks really cool. It would be great to see it from a side view but I have not found one, yet (still looking).
Here is the seating and steering column. It does not seem like a Smart Fortwo but it could be a Chinese copy of the Smart. 
This looks like the dash. The article indicates it is electric. It is a cool design for an electric car. 

There does not seem to have any information at the All Car Index site.

There is a little bit of information on Pinterest

There seems to be some information on it at Solar Feeds

It would be neat to find more information on this neat little car. 

I wonder if one could take the Smart Fortwo ED (or even the gas powered version?) and create something like the CEStar Smart? Perhaps give it more room for bigger people? One article indicates it might be suitable for Chinese people who are supposedly not so tall (like many from non-Asian countries). 






Friday, March 9, 2018

Aquarius Powered Smart Hybrid?

I ran across an article that mentions an engine that seems small, and gets good miles per gallon. The engine is by Aquarius Engines. I read that it is an Israel company.

Next Big Future has an article on it.  It is described as a light and simple engine. 'Nextbigfuture notes that there are many other substantial niches for a super-efficient, light, simple and cheap engine.' - I agree with them on that, I think it has potential. It indicates it can be used as a range extender and it has great miles per gallon. I think that is really good since I think electric vehicles don't have the range and charging time to compete or replace the gas powered vehicles. 
Here is the Aquarius engine. 
 Both the photo above and below are from the article / site. 
Since he is holding it up, it seems it is a light weight engine. 



Here it is used as a generator. I think it could produce a lot of power for not much fuel. The article indicates it could reduce the 'carbon footprint' since it does really well with the amount it uses; or amount it doesn't use and how long it uses it. 

Here it is used in vehicles. It seems to be a good platform for hybrids where one can build a body for it to fit ones needs or wants. I think it has potential. With Local Motors being able to print a body, one could truly create an unique body for it. 


I think it could make the Smart ED even better by making it a hybrid vehicle. As a hybrid, the Smart would have the range of a gas vehicle but with a really good miles per gallon since it uses gas so sparingly. It would make repair simpler since it has fewer parts. 









Monday, March 5, 2018

New Smart Roadster In The Planning?

There is a website that is in a language I don't read. I was able to find a way to have it translated into English. The original web site is by MB Passion. The translation is by Google Translate with this being the result; MB Passion (translated into English).

The article is 2011 so I doubt it will happen but it would be nice if it did.

With France going electric by 2040 and Smart only selling electric Fortwo's in Canada and the USA (perhaps Europe eventually), why not make an electric roadster? With the newer batteries and electric motors, the range could be great and one could drive in style while looking great in it.

It seems someone has the idea of an electric Smart Roadster. Smart Roadster - Conversion To Electric CarYouTube - Smart Roadster EV Conversion First Drive . YouTube - Smart Roadster EV Conversion First Drive.


Since I am discussing an electric roadster, why not an electric Forfour? It might be added to other electric four door four passenger cars in the market but that market has more appeal to buyers. I believe it has more appeal to buyers to have more seats and more doors. Just my opinion and my chance to 'voice it'.







this looks almost exactly like the Smart Fortwo Passion that I have. 
I call my Smart Fortwo Herb. It is a shortened version of the name Herbie the VW Beetle in the Disney movie The Love Bug. Both the air cooled VW Beetle and the Smart Fortwo are rear engine and rear wheel drive vehicles. The Fortwo is smaller than the Beetle; hence, the smaller name. 

Here is an outline of the 451 Smart Fortwo.  One could use it as the basis for kit cars with the outline being used to draw what other could look like with it as the platform / donor vehicle.