THE PROS & CONS
- What’s Best: Snappy looks, solid built quality and good range for such a small electric car.
- What’s Worst: No tilt or telescoping steering wheel.
- What’s Interesting: smart is the only automaker to offer all its models with either electric or gasoline propulsion.
MIAMI, FL: The 2017, fourth generation smart is being called the “smartest” version yet, with the new all-electric model easily the smartest of them all.
Debuting at this September’s Paris Auto Show worldwide, and for the first time in North America at the recent LA Auto Show, smart is the only vehicle maker in the world offering all its models with either gasoline or all-electric propulsion.
The first electric smart debuted in 2007 when 100 were tested in London, Eng., which resulted in the second generation being sold in 18 markets around the globe with demand exceeding expectations.
The 2017, fourth generation smart fortwo electric features some cosmetics changes, but the big news is a driving range of up to 160 km.
Things got serious with the third generation in 2012 where, among others things, it was the first electric car exported to China where it immediately claimed 40 per cent of the market and held top spot for three years.
Outside Canada, smart is used in the car2go fleet with 1,400 in three cities where it racked up more than 35 million km.
The smart is still a viable choice for those in the market for an all-electric, particularly in urban environments where parking is tight and congestion a growing fact of life.
The agility of the smart is impressive. This two-seater is 2.95 metres long but has a turning circle of 6.95 meters, meaning it can make a full turn in just about twice its own length.
Power comes from a three-phase synchronous electric motor producing 81 hp and 118 ft/lb of torque driving the rear wheels allied to a 17.6 kWh lithium-ion battery for a combined energy consumption of 12.9 kWh/100 km and a range of 160 km.
It’s quicker than you’d think at 0-100 km/h in 11.5 seconds and a maximum speed of 130 km/h or about 80 mph.
Driving the rear wheels is a three-phase synchronous electric motor (81 hp, 118 ft/lb of torque). A much larger, more powerful 17.6 kWh lithium-ion battery sits below the floor of the smart ED.
According to smart, recharging takes about 2.5 hours with a 240-volt wallbox or 13 hours from a 110-volt household outlet. There is also a 7.0 kW charger on board.
Besides the normal CVT transmission gearing, there is an ECO Mode, in which kinetic energy is fed back to the battery while top speed is reduced and pedal pressure optimized for the most frugal operation.
An interesting function that saves energy and extends range is pre-entry climate control that allows the cabin to reach a desired temperature while the car is still charging.
This is done by the “smart control” app that also provides access to vehicle information on any computer, tablet or smartphone.
A handy analog style power meter is placed on the upper left of the instrument panel giving a running state of charge.
Mounted on the top of the instrument panel on the left is a power meter and battery level analog gauge which gives out instant information and acts like a coach to help the driver get the most out of the system.
The launch of the new smart took place in Miami, a perfect venue, as it has dense populations in the city and environs like South Beach where we were staying.
The drive route was primarily through city streets and through affluent communities near the ocean – definitely smart territory.
The interior of the 2017 smart fortwo ED remains funky in design. Seats in the 2017 smart fortwo ED are heated as standard.
The only sound you hear is a distant whirr from the rear and the tires on the pavement. The latter magically disappeared with the windows up and the air on.
I watched the power metre with the air both off and on and it did not seem to make a dent when accelerating and using the ECO Mode as well.
I was also surprised to note it had a standard heated steering wheel, which you might think would be an energy hog, as well as standard heated seats.
The centre stack mounted infotainment touchscreen containes everything you need, but my co-driver and I had some initial trouble with the navigation system that tried to send us the wrong way once.
Cargo volume is 190 litres/350 litres to headliner. You can have a tailgate party with your smart ED, albeit a small one.
As you can imagine with the ultra short wheelbase, cornering was like a dodgem car matched by the immediacy to steering wheel inputs.
The new smart comes in something like 19 exterior colours and a choice of several on the interior.
There is choice of 15-inch alloy wheels on the 2017 smart fortwo ED.
My only complaint is the smart lacks a tilt and telescoping steering wheel, which I thought would have helped a full-figured soul such as me get an ideal seating position.
There was no pricing released at the press launch but the outgoing model retails at $26,990 for starters (not counting E rebates).
If you’re looking to eliminate gasoline from your life and expect decent electric car range, this just might be the smart choice for you.
The bobtailed rear helps the 2017 smart fortwo ED get in and out of spaces where others vehicles simply can’t go.
Smart fortwo ED 2017
BODY STYLE: Two-seat subcompact coupe
DRIVE METHOD: Rear-motor, rear-wheel-drive, CVT transmission
MOTOR: Three-phase synchronous electric motor (81 hp, 118 ft/lb of torque) with 17.6 kWh lithium-ion battery.
ENERGY CONSUMPSION: 12.9 kWh/100 km and a range of 160 km
CARGO CAPACITY: 190 litres/350 litres to headliner
PRICE: TBA
WEBSITE: thesmart.ca
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Keyword: First Drive: The smartest smart ever