smart forthree Patent Sketches Leaked

With only one model currently on the market, the fortwo, the smart brand seemed like it was beginning to lose ground to its other small rivals. Well, think again, as it would appear smart is getting ready for a threesome.

According to a report by autocar.co.uk, German manufacturer Daimler leaked a few sketches of the future smart addition. Intended for the patent grant for the future smart, the picture shows a rear-engined platform, with the driver's seat mounted in the center of the car and the two other passenger seats further back and to the sides. The seats are incased in smart's Tridion safety cell layout, capable of taking the beating from an impact.

On the interior, the forthree features a modular seat base, with the driver's seat being able to be moved towards the door and allow easier access to the seats in the back.

There is little known about the possible powerunits to be used on the "possibly-named" forthree, although rumors point to the use of a three-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, with displacement ranging in between 0.8l and 1.4l.

The unit is said to be mated to a yet to be developed seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Both the engine range and the transmission will make their debut on the future generation A-Klasse, sometimes in 2011.

As for a possible release date, we are certainly some good long years away. According to Autocar, some Mercedes insiders point to 2014 as year zero for the forthree and even more, say that the German manufacturer will move the smart from the sideline right into the game and develop an entire range of smarts by the second decade of the next century.