► Smart rolls out EVs for all
► Electric Drive Fortwo and Forfour
► Every model has petrol or EV option
Smart has pulled off an unlikely coup: it is now the only car maker with a choice of petrol or full electric versions of every model in its range.
The diminutive Fortwo city car has been available as an EV before (this is the fourth generation), but at the Paris motor show Daimler’s tiny-car specialist unveiled its first electric Forfour too.
Tin-top or open-top: e-silence for all
Smart offers Electric Drive in both bodystyles of Fortwo: you can choose the city car in coupe or convertible bodystyles.
Interestingly, that means the Smart Fortwo Cabrio becomes the only electric convertible on sale today.
Performance, range
Both models use a 60kW electric motor driving the rear wheels, with a 118lb ft burst of torque – enough, says Smart, for 0-62mph in 11.5sec (Fortwo) or 12.7sec (heavier Forfour). Top speed is limited to 85mph.
The company claims a range of 100 miles and promises that fast-charging – coming in 2017 – heralds a 45-minute charging time to replenish empty batteries. Even on a UK mains plug, it’ll take 2.5 hours to charge – half the time of its predecessor.
When can I buy an electric Smart?
Daimler is focusing on the US first, with deliveries Stateside due in December 2016. European deliveries commence in early 2017 while Brits must wait a full year; we’re not getting our Smart EVs until September 2016.
That’ll teach us for Brexit…
Click here for more news from the 2016 Paris motor show