Fourth generation of the smart electric drive cabrio
The new smart electric drive* is making electric mobility more attractive than ever. This is because it combines the agility of a smart with emission-free driving – the ideal combination for urban mobility. This is the fourth-generation electric smart, which is now available in all three bodystyles – including, for the first time, the smart forfour. This makes smart the only car manufacturer worldwide to offer its model range with both combustion engines and pure battery-electric drive. The smart electric drive will celebrate its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show (1 to 16 October 2016), while the market launch will start in the USA in December 2016 and in Europe in early 2017. The smart electric drive will go on sale early 2017, and first cars will arrive in the UK from September 2017.
"The smart is the perfect city car, and with electric drive it becomes a little bit more perfect," said Annette Winkler, Head of smart. "This is why we will soon be offering our entire range – smart fortwo, smart cabrio and even our smart forfour – as all-electric versions. Together with lots of smart fans and enthusiastic drivers of the three predecessor generations, we are looking forward to the unique driving fun offered by the new smart electric drive. And at very attractive prices, especially in countries where there is a buyer's premium."
The most important information at a glance:
- smart is the only car manufacturer worldwide to offer its model range with both combustion engines and pure battery-electric drive as the smart fortwo, smart fortwo cabrio and smart forfour are available as electric drive models.
- The smart fortwo cabrio is the only electric cabriolet on the market.
- With torque of 160 Newton metres, the 60 kW electric car boasts exceedingly responsive acceleration.
When fully charged the battery has sufficient power to cover approximately 160 kilometres (100 miles) in accordance with the NEDC, making it ideal for urban use.
- With the high-performance on-board charger the smart electric drive can be charged up to twice as quickly as before (depending on the country version and the electricity supply network).
- With the new fast charger (optional extra available from 2017) the vehicle can be fully charged in less than 45 minutes (depending on the country version and the electricity supply network).
In line with the rest of the range, the smart’s driving characteristics are as agile and lively as ever. The ultra-small turning circle of 6.95 metres contributes to this. The smart electric drive will come with a wide variety of colours and optional equipment – making it easy for the customer to personalise their smart electric drive.
Charging time is an important factor for electric vehicle customers and the new smart electric drive boasts major improvements here. All models have a new, powerful on-board charger as standard. In the USA and Great Britain the charging time is 2.5 hours – half as long as for its predecessor. In Germany, where a different charger is needed due to single-phase alternating current, the smart electric drive can be charged 40 percent faster than before at a household socket. With the "smart control" app the charging process can be conveniently monitored remotely, the app also includes many more functions such as intelligent charging..
From 2017 a particularly powerful 22 kW fast charger will be available as an option. This enables the smart electric drive to be charged in as little as 45 minutes.
The smart fortwo electric drive models are series produced at smart's Hambach plant (France). The smart forfour electric drive is produced at the Novo Mesto site (Slovenia). The smart is equipped with a battery from the Daimler subsidiary Deutsche ACCUMOTIVE. The company, based in Kamenz, Saxony, has been building the electric heart of the smart electric drive since 2012.
A 60 kW (81 hp) electric motor works at the rear of the smart electric drive and transmits its power via a constant ratio to the wheels. Powerful torque of 160 Nm is immediately available from a standstill. The electric drive has a range of approximately 160 km (100 miles) – ideal for emission-free mobility in and around cities. The maximum speed is electronically limited to 130 km/h (80 mph) to maximise the range.
Thanks to the power characteristics of the electric motor, the smart needs just one single fixed gear ratio. There is no need for any gear changing – a major advantage in dense city traffic. To reverse, the engine's direction of rotation changes. The drivetrain is produced in Renault's plant in Clèon, Northern France.
www.smart.com
