JBL Outfits Smart ForTwo with a 5,720-Watt Audio System

The Smart ForTwo city car is all about being small, and audio provider JBL recently teamed up with Smart to see how much it could get out of the tiny hatchback in terms of sound. The result is an impressively packaged, high-powered audio system with a whopping 5,720 watts of amplification. More on Motortrend.com:2016 Smart Fortwo First Drive JBL calls it the Smart Forgigs study, and it’s a version of the 2016 Smart ForTwo hatchback that’s outfitted with all sorts of amplifiers, speakers, and tweeters to make for a sound system on wheels. To put the JBL system’s 5,720-watt amplification number in perspective, the high-end Bang & Olufsen sound system in the Audi A8 only makes 1,300 watts.

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Smart considering Forfour-based SUV

Smart considering Forfour-based SUVImage Credit: SmartImage Credit: SmartImage Credit: SmartImage Credit: SmartImage Credit: SmartImage Credit: SmartImage Credit: SmartImage Credit: SmartImage Credit: SmartImage Credit: SmartImage Credit: SmartImage Credit: SmartImage Credit: SmartImage Credit: SmartImage Credit: SmartImage Credit: SmartImage Credit: SmartImage Credit: SmartImage Credit: SmartImage Credit: SmartImage Credit: SmartImage Credit: SmartImage Credit: SmartImage Credit: SmartImage Credit: SmartImage Credit: SmartImage Credit: SmartImage Credit: SmartImage Credit: SmartMore PhotosHusqvarna 401 Vitpilen and Smartpilen conceptsGogoro Smartscooter2016 Smart Forfour: Quick Spin2016 Smart Forfour: Paris 2014Smart Fourjoy: Frankfurt 2013Smart Fourjoy ConceptNoah Joseph

Can we interest anyone in the idea of a rear-engined SUV? Because that's what Daimler is reportedly considering for its Smart brand.

According to Autocar, a crossover could be the next addition to the Smart lineup. It'd be based on the same architecture as the Smart Forfour and Renault Twingo, which are built on a rear-engined platform that gives the steering rack up front more range of motion to provide the vehicle a tight turning radius.

Because the Smart and Twingo don't share much with other products in either automaker's stable, they're said to be eagerly looking for ways to make the most of their investment, and spinning off a sport-ute variant could be just the ticket.

The resulting crossover could end up a little longer than the Forfour and Twingo, owing to more rugged bumpers, but would likely pack the same three-cylinder engines (in atmospheric and turbo guises) and choice of five-speed manual or six-speed dual-clutch transmissions. Whether the platform could be modified to accommodate all-wheel drive as well remains a big question mark, but we'd point out that Audi managed to squeeze its Quattro system into the A1 even though the VW Polo platform on which it was based was never designed for it.

Renault could prove eager to get in on the project as well with a version of its own, giving both automakers a worthwhile challenger to the nimble little Fiat Panda 4x4. The bigger question is whether it would ever make its way to US showrooms. Currently the smaller Fortwo is the only Smart being offered in North America, with the Forfour not earmarked for these shores – and Renault of course doesn't market here altogether.Featured Gallery2016 Smart Forfour

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