Pricing Announced for 2017 Smart Fortwo Electric Drive Coupe and Cabrio
Micro EV car offers more range and shorter charging time than outgoing model
The Smart Fortwo Electric Drive Coupe will start at $24,550 and the convertible version will start at $28,750, including destination and delivery charges. The coupe's pricing is $1,200 lower than the outgoing model.
According to its maker, theSmart Electric Drive Cabriowill be the "only electric drive convertible on the market" at the time of its summer launch.
Smart says the new Fortwo models' batteries will reach full charge in an estimated three hours, half the time of the outgoing generation using a 240-volt charger. An 80 percent charge will come in an estimated 2.5 hours, two hours shorter than the previous version. Range also increases from 68 miles to an estimated 70 to 80 miles. The new electric Fortwos pack more powerful 7kW onboard chargers as well.
New models also receive some performance gains. The motor gains 6 hp to make a total of 80 hp and torque output rises by 22 lb-ft, to a total of 118 lb-ft. 0-60 mph acceleration drops to 11.4 seconds from 11.5 seconds on the coupe, but increases to 11.7 seconds for the cabrio. Top speed is a meager 81 mph, an increase over the last generation's 78 mph.
The new generation ofSmartFortwo Electric Drive models will be available for sale at U.S. dealerships in the summer.
Billy Rehbock's passion for cars started with his dad's Volkswagen Jetta GLX, his mom's Cabriolet, and his own Hot Wheels collection. A USC graduate with a Master of Science in journalism, he's an associate editor for the MotorTrend Buyer's Guide and covers everything from sports cars to SUVs.
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