2013 Smart ForTwo Electric Drive: First Look
- Competes with: Mitsubishi i, Ford Focus Electric
- Looks like: The ForTwo goes green, literally
- Drivetrain: a 16.7-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack and a 55-kilowatt motor
- Hits dealerships: This fall
Fuel economy has never been a strong suit of the tiny ForTwo, but Smart’s adding a gas-free version for 2013. The ForTwo Electric Drive will be available in coupe and cabriolet versions. They go on sale this fall.
The electric subcompact uses a 16.7-kwh lithium-ion battery pack and a 55-kilowatt motor co-developed with Bosch; it makes 95 pound-feet of torque. According to Smart, it will have a 90-mile range and a top speed of 77 mph. It sounds like it’ll be almost as pokey as its gasoline-powered sibling: Smart quotes a zero to 62 mph time of 11.5 seconds for the Electric Drive.
The automaker says it can be fully charged on a “household socket” in six to seven hours. However, it can be charged in less than an hour using a quick-charging unit. As with other electric cars on the market, a smartphone application can be used to find charging stations, coordinate charge times and pre-heat or pre-cool the interior while it's connected to the grid.
The Smart ForTwo Electric Drive has white body panels and matching white alloy rims. Green exterior accents match the green-accented interior. Further distinguishing it from its gasoline-powered sibling is a larger grille with electric drive logo, LED-accented headlamps and wider door sills.
U.S. pricing hasn’t been announced, but in Germany, coupes will start at €18,910 ($23,900) and cabriolets at €22,000 ($27,700). Its battery pack must be leased for an additional €65 ($81) a month. According to Smart, the rental cost includes regular maintenance and battery replacement, if needed. Customers can buy the battery pack outright for a total cost of pay €23,680 ($29,900) for coupe models and €26,770 ($33,800) cabriolets.
Though previous versions have been available for lease in limited capacity in Europe and the U.S., the 2013 ForTwo Electric Drive will be offered for sale in 30 countries starting in September.
Related
2013 Smart ForTwo at the 2012 New York Auto Show
Smart ForTwo Electric Available for $599 Lease Now, Purchase in 2012
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Nothing like paying $24,000 for the base trim car and then being required to pay $81 a month on top of that (yes I read you can buy the battery, but come on!)
Who in their right mind would pay 30K (with battery) for an ugly looking, tiny clown car? Get a Honda Fit for 10K less, get 40MPG, and pocket the huge difference. Plus its an actual car so you wont be called Urkel everywhere you go
Personally, I like the way it looks. And who really cares if other people call you Urkle or something when your not gas is near $4.00/gallon in the US or probably over in California. It's a step in the right direction. My only wish is for a Smart for four.