The New Electric Smart Can Fully Charge In 2.5 Hours
The Smart is a rear-engined, rear-wheel drive car (based on the current Renault Twingo), which means an electric motor producing 118 lb.-ft. of torque from zero rpm can make it more fun in city traffic than the three-cylinder gas engine of the standard car. With the high-performance on-board charger, Smart also managed to reduce charging time from 5.5 hours to just 2.5 using a 240V socket, which makes the 99 mile range (based on the Euro NEDC cycle) feel less of a compromise.
The Smart Electric Drive's three-phase synchronous motor produces 80 horsepower, which will get it to sixty miles per hour in 11.4 seconds, or 11.7 if you go for the cabriolet. Top speed is limited at 81mph, while the juice comes from a 17.6 kWh battery pack. Charging that from a regular US 110V socket from 20 percent to full will still take 22 hours.
To save energy and get those claimed 99 miles, the car also features pre-entry climate control, which enables the desired temperature to be reached in the interior while the vehicle is still charging at a socket. In addition to that, you can select ECO mode, which will limit the maximum speed, cut back the accelerator and maximize recuperation in overrun mode or when braking.
After premiering in Paris next week, the Smart fortwo electric drive will be launched in the U.S. in spring 2017 with the cabrio following in summer 2017.
You Might Also Like
