If you're a regular reader of our site, you undoubtedly remember the tale of smart and his remarkable journey to the great state of Alabama, a journey that stemmed from the young smart following his ambitions and ultimately achieving his dream - his dream of being big.
It was a moving tale, and one that lives in the hearts of little smarts around the world.
But what's more, the smart has inspired others to follow in its footsteps, others like the smart mentioned in this story - the smart forfun2.
Like our original smart, smart forfun2 had always dreamed of being big, and after hearing of smart's trip to Alabama, smart forfun2 knew it too was destined for greatness. Eventually, young smart forfun2 met a gentleman by the name of Stefan Attart, a former Greek 4x4 rally champion, who saw the young car's potential. With a little help from a Mercedes Unimog, a six-cylinder 5,675 cc diesel engine developing 84 bhp and tires fitted on 26 inch rims with a diameter of 140 centimeters, the smart forfun2's fantasies... fantasies of being big... soon turned into reality.
A ground clearance of 65 centimeters... a total height of 3.7 meters... indeed, smart forfun2's dreams had come true.
So what did smart forfun2 have to say about his recent increase in size?
"I couldn't have done it without smart. His journey to Alabama inspired me. He made me believe in myself when no one else would, and for that, I'll be forever grateful."
Touching. Truly touching.
If you'd like to learn more about smart forfun2 and his magical transformation, keep scrolling to see photos of the super-sized smart forfun2, followed by the full press release detailing his remarkable journey.
Enjoy.
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
smart forfun2: The combination of two vehicles with cult status
Stuttgart, Sep 13, 2006
The smart forfun, a smart forfour with monster truck ambitions, caused quite a stir at the Athens Motor Show in November 2005. Following the extremely positive response to this, the decision to develop a further vehicle with a similar character was a logical step.
Following the initiative of Mercedes-Benz Hellas, Stefan Attart (46), Greek Champion in 4x4 Rally Races had clear ideas: the new off-road vehicle should have the body of a smart fortwo. A suitable platform now had to be found.
Awakening the inner child
DaimlerChrysler has always had an unusually large range of off-road vehicles - from the M-Class to the G-model and the Unimog. One look at the smart forfun2 (pronounced smart for-fun to the second) and you see straightaway that it is based on a Mercedes-Benz Unimog 406 series.
This is what makes it so fascinating: the combination of two vehicles, each of which has achieved cult status in its respective segment. So it's no wonder that the smart forfun2 awakens the inner child in everyone who sees it.
Combining vehicle and platform
But first things first: once the platform for the smart forfun2 had been decided, in January of this year Stefan Attart started working on the first designs. It goes without saying that there's more to an off-road vehicle like this than simply screwing four wheels under a smart fortwo.
Based on technical drawings of both vehicles, a design was created that for the first time clearly showed the direction the new vehicle was to take. Stefan Attart laid down the design that was to connect the vehicle with the platform, and precise attachment points were defined on the axles and the chassis.
Oversized dimensions
The engine and transmission were adopted from the Unimog. The OM 352, a six-cylinder diesel engine with a capacity of 5,675 cc, was given a prominent and clearly visible position on the front axle. It delivers 84 bhp - an impressive figure for the smart forfun2. The diesel version of the production car has a 41 bhp engine.
The dimensions also turn heads: tyres on 26 inch rims with a diameter of 140 cm. Not to mention ground clearance of 65 centimetres and an unbelievable total height of 3.7 metres.
Maximum off-road mobility
The designers wanted to give the smart forfun2 maximum off-road mobility - and the platform of the 406 offers optimum prerequisites for off-road driving. The off-road character is further emphasized by oversized wheels and the safety cage made of aluminium tubes.
To optimise the vehicle for off-road driving, in addition to special shock absorbers Stefan Attart fitted manually controlled air suspension. This enables the driver to specifically influence individual springs – a particular advantage on extreme downhill gradients.
Uncompromising vehicle concept
Everything in one car that is sure to divide opinions - or boys from men. Two vehicles, which each represent an uncompromising vehicle concept in their respective environments, and yet remain unique. And this combination in the smart forfun2 is sure to cause even more controversy.
As with the real smart fortwo, some people are sure to find the concept of the smart forfun2 too radical, whilst others will love it - with not many opinions in-between. However running apart from the herd is probably the best prerequisite for achieving cult status.
Copyright © 2006, DaimlerChrysler AG
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