Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Cars
  3. News

Smart’s redesigned Fortwo Electric Drive will scoot into the Paris Motor Show

By

2016 smart fortwo
Image used with permission by copyright holder
When it comes to electric cars, the names “Tesla” or “Nissan” usually come to mind, but Smart has been peddling its diminutive Fortwo Electric Drive for quite some time. That task has become harder as the electric version has languished on the old Fortwo platform, while gasoline models got a complete overhaul for the 2016 model year.

Smart is finally rectifying that, though. A redesigned Fortwo Electric Drive will debut this fall at the 2016 Paris Motor Show. The coupe will be followed by a convertible version, and an electric variant of the four-seat Forfour (which isn’t sold in the U.S.). Smart parent Daimler confirmed this news in a barrage of announcements relating to green-technology initiatives.

Recommended Videos

Smart was light on actual details about the new electric models, but it did say they will continue to use battery packs from fellow Daimler subsidiary Deutsche Accumotive, rather than from an outside supplier, as several other carmakers do. Daimler is planning to enter the energy storage business as well, and believes Smart battery packs could be reused in stationary energy storage systems after they’ve degraded too much for continued use in cars.

Related

Read more: Mercedes jumps on the fuel cell bandwagon with the GLC F-Cell

All three electric Smart models will use the same electric motor, which will be manufactured by Renault in France. Smart partnered with Renault on development of the current-generation Fortwo platform, which is shared with the French manufacturer’s Twingo. Renault has plenty of electric car experience: its Zoe was the bestselling electric car in Europe last year, and partner Nissan’s Leaf is the bestselling electric car in history.

The next-generation Fortwo Electric Drive should be an improvement over the current model thanks to its new platform, but Smart will still have to address issues of performance and range. The 2016 Fortwo Electric Drive coupe is rated at just 68 miles of range by the EPA, hindering its practicality significantly. Still, Smart does have one advantage: the Fortwo Electric Drive convertible is the only all-electric convertible available in the U.S., and that will likely remain the case with the new model.

The new Smart Fortwo Electric Drive will make its official debut at the 2016 Paris Motor Show this fall. It will go on sale in the U.S. before the end of the year, likely as a 2017 model.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Stephen Edelstein
Stephen Edelstein
Contributing Editor
Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…
The 10 best car battery brands in 2024
How to test a car battery

You must know this, but your car needs a battery to run properly. A dead battery means a car won't start, but various electronics in the car won't work properly either, including overhead dome lights, the radio, and even some security features, like door locks or alerts. So, it's in your best interest to ensure your vehicle's battery is in tip-top shape at all times. It's especially important if your car or vehicle sits unused for long periods. A trickle charger can help keep the battery powered in those situations, or worst case, a portable jump starter can help you get it going. But eventually, you're going to need to replace your battery, and it will help to know the best car battery brands out there so you know precisely what to replace your old one with. Let's discuss.
AC Delco
In operation for more than a century, AC Delco has been recommended as "the only batteries" for GM vehicles. You'll find them at retailers like AutoZone, O'Reilly Auto Parts, Amazon, and even some Walmarts. They're reliable, reasonably priced, and come with a good warranty, 18 months or above, depending on where you buy. A great AC Delco battery to call out is the Advantage series.

Bosch
Bosch is a solid mid-grade battery provider both in quality and price. They do have some affordable options, but their premium lines are still reasonably priced, with several tiers available for a wide variety of vehicles. The downside is that Bosch batteries are not carried by all retailers like some of the other options on our list, but you can find them online. You can also visit a Bosch service center if there's one near you. Callouts are the S4 to S6 series and the T4 to T6 series. We will say the brand's four-year free replacement warranty is unmatched.

Read more
Tesla’s fix for faulty Cybertruck pedal is simpler than you might think
Tesla Cybertruck

Less than five months after handing over the first Cybertrucks to customers, Tesla has had to recall the electric pickup to fix an issue with the accelerator.

In a notice issued on Friday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said that the recall impacts Cybertruck vehicles manufactured from November 13, 2023, to April 4, 2024. This suggests that all -- or almost all -- of the 3,878 Cybertrucks being recalled are those that have been manufactured to date.

Read more
Ford Mustang Mach-E 2024 vs. Mach-E 2023: What’s new in Ford’s electric Mustang?
Blue Ford Mustang Mach-E on a rooftop

The Ford Mustang Mach-E is easily one of the best EVs for the price, offering a solid range, sleek design, and pretty good tech on the inside. In recent years, it has gotten even cheaper -- thanks in large part to a price war between it and the Tesla Model 3. And, the company just took the wraps off of the latest and greatest version of the Mach-E, labeled as the 2024 model.

The 2024 Mustang Mach-E is notably different from the 2023 iteration in some meaningful ways. So much so that we decided to take a look at the two head-to-head -- to see if it was better to pay for the 2024 model or save some cash on any remaining 2023 stock.
Design
The Mustang Mach-E looks relatively unique -- in a good way. And thankfully, Ford has largely kept the overall design the same for the 2024 model, at least when it comes to the more consumer-focused models. The car retains the slatted taillights and crossover size. It also offers a large selection of colors, including the very blue Grabber Blue Metallic, as well as Rapid Red Metallic. It's a good selection of colors, and there should be an option for most buyers.

Read more