The next-generation 2018 smart fortwo electric drive will make its global debut at the 2016 Paris Auto Show later this week. It is scheduled to go on sale in the U.S. next spring, followed by the smart fortwo cabrio electric drive in the summer.
There will also be a smart forfour electric drive, but that one won’t be available on this side of the Atlantic. As for the Canadian market, plans have yet to be announced.
Interestingly, smart becomes the only car manufacturer in the world to offer its entire model range with both combustion engines and pure battery-electric drive. The new smart fortwo cabrio electric drive, in particular, is the only electric cabriolet on the market.
With 80 horsepower and 118 lb-ft of instant torque, look for spirited acceleration. Meanwhile, the 2018 smart fortwo electric drive’s battery has sufficient power to cover approximately 160 kilometres (based on the European testing cycle). Using the high-performance on-board charger, it can be charged in about 2.5 hours vs. 5.5 hours previously.
"The smart is the ideal city car, and with electric drive it becomes a little bit more perfect," says Annette Winkler, Head of smart. "This is why we will soon be offering our entire range as all-electric versions."
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