The humble golf cart has been transporting lazy golfers around well-cut lawns for decades. But as you’ve probably noticed, the design hasn’t really changed since the early days way back when.
Yes, some people have turned them into Hummers and Escalades, and range and speeds have improved, but they’ve always looked the same: little wheels at each corner, nondescript and slightly depressed face at the front, enough room for two sets of golf bags in the back, and a flimsy plastic canopy overhead. Boring.
But Mercedes-Benz, ever keen to cut a new niche or two, has decided it’s an area that needs some renovation. So it has done just that. Going into partnership with Garia, the German carmaker has helped create a golf cart for the 21st century. It’s a real "sports car," they say. Get it? Sports car.
Jokes aside, it is quite nifty. Under that curvaceous and Smart-like bodywork is a carbon chassis and a 4hp motor. It can, however, offer short bursts of up to 15hp and a top speed of 30kph--enough to skid it around a damp fairway for sure. The low-mounted (center-of-gravity win) lithium-ion battery provides up to 80km of range and charges in about six hours. There are even disc brakes and double-wishbone suspension, just like a car. Unfortunately, there’s no word on an AMG version yet.
You can even spec it like a Mercedes. Under the curvy carbon-fiber-trimmed bench seat is a fridge to save your chocolate bar from melting on the course, while a storage tray under the dashboard holds your golf balls. Meanwhile, bottle holders on the instrument panel provide enough space for glasses and a bottle of bubbly.
As this is a golf cart from the future, there’s an integrated 10.1-inch HD touchpad that displays all the important vehicle information, plus your scorecard and course map just in case you get lost.
Only two carts are being made for now to gauge public opinion. But if it goes down well, they’ll build some for an unknown price.
NOTE: This article originally appeared on TopGear.com. Minor edits have been made.
