Daimler's Smart division will be unveiling a new concept study called the Forvision at this year's Frankfurt Auto Show. The Forvision concept not only previews the new design direction of the Fortwo, but also provides indicators of technologies the automaker is preparing. As part of development, Smart worked with BASF, the world's largest chemical company, to develop several advanced technologies such as the plastic wheels that weigh only 6.6 pounds each - even less than an aluminum rim.

Another development is a carbon-fiber reinforced epoxy resin that's used in the construction of the passenger compartment and the doors. This supposedly has weight savings up to 50 percent compared to steel and 30 percent when compared to aluminum. The new Fortwo will reportedly be based on a new rear-wheel-drive platform that was developed in cooperation with Nissan-Renault. It will also be used to underpin the next Renault Twingo. Expect to see the next-generation Fortwo sometime next year, which will likely take some styling and various technologies from the Forvision concept.