Smart Forjoy | Frankfurt Motor Show 2013

Smart is mounting its second attempt at a four-seater car with the new Fourjoy concept that was revealed in Frankfurt over night.

The futuristic door-less concept will be tamed for production, which is expected to start next year. And yes, it is coming to Australia.

It is the second time Smart has attempted to expand, with a similar type of vehicle, called the ForFour, launched in 2004.

A two-door micro version of the Fourjoy will also replace the current Smart Fortwo, although it will actually come later than the Fourjoy.

That model was based on Mitsubishi’s Colt and struggled to make an impact in a crowded sector and was axed in 2006, just months after the quirky Smart Roadster was euthanized.

This time around, Mercedes-Benz has chosen Renault as a platform donor for its Smart brand.

The Fourjoy is built on a rear-engined, rear-drive base that will also be used by the next-generation Renault Twingo although the concept shown in Germany is electric only.

It will run a 900cc turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine, although an electric version could also be added.

The concept Fourjoy runs a 55kW electric motor, linked up to a 17.6kW/h lithium ion battery pack. It also has two electrically-driven skateboards that are carried on the roof.

The Fourjoy concept is described as a design study by Smart, but you can expect the production version to share many of its general design cues. Don’t get your hopes up for the electric skateboards though.