AKKA, the European leader in engineering consulting and R&D services in the mobility sectors, is proud to unveil today its latest creation, the “Smart Bertone”, an innovative electric concept-car made by AKKA.

The development of the Smart Bertone reflects the Group’s know-how in engineering and integrating new innovations in order to provide solutions to car manufacturers, who themselves face the challenges of a changing urban environment and changing mobile uses.

Based on the Smart ForTwo Electric Drive model, AKKA has given the Smart Bertone the ability to go from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds with a new KERS kynetic energy recovery system. The basic electric Smart has been modified in terms of its running gear, behaviour and power. The basic motor on the rear wheels, for example, has been doubled with drum motors in the front wheels. AKKA also redesigned the batteries and fitted them to give them extra power.

Paolo Del Noce, Managing Director France of AKKA, comments: “The design and capabilities of the Smart Bertone also demonstrate that an urban electric vehicle can be both beautiful and efficient.”

For this project, AKKA has partnered with several leading partners: Elaphe, an in-wheel motor manufacturer, specialising in the design and development of electric motors integrated in wheels (http://in-wheel.com), and the German company KW Suspensions, specialising in suspensions for passenger and competition vehicles (https://www.kwsuspensions.net).

Paolo Del Noce, concludes: “Thanks to a successful international collaboration between our French, Italian, English and German teams, AKKA proves its ability to deploy a flexible project management method enabling completion of the design, engineering and concept in six months. The Group also demonstrates its strength in looking for concrete solutions and applications for its customers’ next generation all-electric products. Like the Link & Go and Link & Fly, the Smart Bertone embodies AKKA’s entrepreneurial spirit of success, which enables it to innovate and invent future mobility.”

AKKA Technologies is a Silver Sponsor of the ITS European Congress, and the “Smart Bertone” car will be on display at their exhibition booth.