Following the smart fortwo coupe and smart forfour the smart fortwo cabrio with battery-electric drive is now also being launched on time for the summer (combined power consumption: 13.0 kWh/100 km). The stylish electric car combines the open-air driving fun of the smart fortwo cabrio with the special driving pleasure and zero emissions of the electric drive. Market launch will start in July 2017.
At the touch of a button the smart fortwo cabrio is transformed from a closed two-seater into a car with a large sliding canvas sunroof, or a fully-fledged cabriolet with the soft top completely open. This enables the fresh air driving experience to be adapted to the weather or the driver’s mood. This flexibility offered by the tritop folding soft top and the removable roof bars is a special feature – and not just in this segment. At the same time, the new smart fortwo cabrio is the only true cabriolet in its vehicle class – and as an electric drive one of the few open-top electric cars on the entire market.
The driving characteristics are as agile and lively as ever. The ultra-small turning circle also contributes to this, and at 6.95 meters it corresponds precisely to that of its sibling with conventional drive. Every wish will be catered for with regard to colors and optional equipment – electric driving at smart offers maximum scope for customization.
The charging time is an important factor for electric vehicle customers, and the new smart electric drive also boasts major improvements here. All models have a new, powerful on-board charger as a standard feature. In the USA and UK the charging time is 2.5 hours (from 0 to 80%) – half as long as for the predecessor. With the smart control app the charging process can be conveniently monitored from afar and many more functions such as intelligent charging can be controlled. From the spring of 2018 a particularly powerful 22 kW fast charger will be available as an option. This enables the smart electric drive to be charged much more quickly: in less than 45 minutes (0-80%) when local conditions allow three-phase charging.
The smart fortwo cabrio electric drive is series-produced at smart’s plant in France. 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. The drive is produced at Renault’s plant in Cleon, Northern France.
A 60 kW (82 hp) electric motor runs 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 155 km – ideal for local emission-free mobility in urban areas. The maximum speed is electronically limited to 130 km/h to maximize 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.
As well as the basic transmission mode the driver can select Eco mode. This is designed for a particularly efficient driving style. In addition, the maximum speed is limited, the accelerator pedal curve adjusted and the maximum recuperation level is pre-selected. In overrun mode or when braking, the vehicle’s kinetic energy is converted into electrical energy – this is called recuperation. The radar-based recuperation, which is active in the basic transmission mode, is anticipatory. The traffic situation is monitored with a radar sensor and a recuperation level that suits the current situation is selected.
To save energy and extend the range, the smart electric drive also features pre-entry climate control. For example, this enables the desired temperature to be reached in the interior while the vehicle is still charging at a socket.
