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

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

Stephen Edelstein
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…
Best electric car charger deals: $100 off home charging stations
The handle of the Grizzl-E EV charger plugged into a vehicle.

A few years ago, electric vehicles were pretty rare or cost a fortune, but with more and more of the larger car brands getting into the game, there are a lot of excellent and even budget-friendly choices nowadays. That said, the electrical network for charging your cars might not be that widespread, so instead you'll have to rely on charging your car at home. Luckily, there are a lot of excellent car chargers at a discount, so if you've just bought an EV or want to upgrade your current charging solution, be sure to check out our favorite deals below.
Shockflo EV charger — $205, was $220

This EV charger by Shockflo is a Level 2 EV charger, which offers six times faster charging than a standard charger. It delivers 24 miles with just one hour of charging, and it can act as a mobile charger you can throw in the trunk or be mounted to a wall. It has an LCD display with useful information like charging rate, voltage, and charging time, as well as LED indicator lights that lets you know charging progress and errors.

Read more
Mercedes-Benz EQG: range, price, release date, and more
Concept image of the larger electric G-Wagon

The G-Class is going electric. We already knew that Mercedes-Benz was working on an electric, small-size G-Wagon, but it looks like the company is also working on a larger G-Class SUV, in the form of the EQG. In fact, Mercedes has gone as far as to show off a concept version of the off-roader.

While there's much we don't know about what will become the production model of the EQG, Mercedes has also shared a lot about it. Curious about whether the Mercedes-Benz EQG could be the EV for you? Here's everything we know so far.
Design
Fear not -- the EQG will retain many of the design aspects of the G-Class that you already know and love but with a modern face-lift. The EQG will keep the boxy design that gives the G-Class a classic look but with some additional modern styling, at least if the concept version is anything to go by.

Read more
Rivian R2 vs. Kia EV9: battle of affordable electric SUVs
Kia EV9 GT-Line Three Quarters

The long-awaited Rivian R2 has finally been announced, and it's an excellent option for those who want an electric SUV that doesn't completely break the bank. Sure, the R2 isn't cheap -- but it's a whole lot cheaper than most other EVs out there, especially when it comes to SUVs. But Rivian isn't the only company trying to tackle the problem of the budget electric SUV. The Kia EV9 is finally available, and it too offers a modern design and a range of helpful features.

Given the fact that the Rivian R2 and Kia EV9 are two electric SUVs in a similar price range, you might be wondering which is better for your needs. That's why we put the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 head-to-head.
Design
Both the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 are actual SUVs -- not crossovers pretending to be SUVs, like plenty of other EVs out there. The two vehicles offer big, boxy designs and plenty of interior space, making them excellent options for families or those who need that extra storage.

Read more