The Smart Electric Drive is poised to revolutionise modern transportation, and the music group Apparatjik have commissioned a show stopping version that will take you back a few decades…

Apparatjik is comprised if Coldplay bassist Guy Berryman, A-Ha guitarist/keyboardist Magne Furuholmen, Mew lead singer Jonas Bjerre and producer Martin Terefe, and they form the thought process behind the Smart Electric Drive that resembles a disco-ball. It is covered in mirrors from the roof to the hubcaps, and even the windows have a mirrored effect. The vehicle is reminiscent of the disco era of the 1970s and was designed for an upcoming movie named Pixel City.

The concept of Smart Electric Drive is to encourage the public to start using electric vehicles. Smart’s Plugged-in report set out to test the responses of the UK public to this potential innovation and found that the UK consumer is ready to embrace the electric revolution, with 87% of the UK believing that local councils should invest more in the infrastructure to support electric vehicles.

These electric cars work through an electric socket that is concealed behind what used to be a fuel cap. This means that there are no exhaust fumes, no engine oil, no road tax and no Congestion Charge. It is powered solely by electricity and can be charged using any standard 3 pin plug. The car is completely environmentally friendly, with no carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide or any other harmful emissions. It takes around 8 hours to fully charge and can accelerate from 0-38mph in just 6.5 seconds. Not only does it save time, but it also saves money as it can save the driver up to 80% in fuel costs compared to a petrol-run Smart car. Despite the lower costs, the Electric Drive still retains all of the equipment of a regular Smart car, with the addition of extra technology. It boasts a built-in sat nav, Bluetooth, iPod/USB connectivity, electric windows and a radio/CD player that can be activated via a touch-screen display.

The Smart Electric Drive is available to lease in limited volumes from January 2011, ahead of the full series production starting in 2012.

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