Smart ForTwo electric offers range of up to 155 kilometres
JUST in time for the summer, Mercedes-Benz is rolling out the Smart ForTwo cabrio electric drive -- a plug-in electric compact city car that will offer a range of 155km between charges and, in an attempt to preserve battery power, a top speed limited to 130kph. But there’s no need to go fast when you’re travelling with the roof down.
As for recharging, Mercedes says that thanks to the addition of a new on-board charger plus an accompanying smartphone app, the car can go from no juice at all to an 80 per cent recharge in two-and-a-half hours.
However, from next year, the company will be launching a 22kw fast charger as an option. It could cut that recharging time to just 45 minutes but only when it’s connected to a station that supports three-phase charging.
Nevertheless, even in its current, comparatively slow charging guise, what the car gives up in range it should make up for with fun.
At just 2.69 metres from nose to tail and 1.6 metres across, the car is incredibly nimble.
Even if it takes 11 seconds to go from 0-100kph it can literally turn on a dime, with a full lockto-lock turning circle of just 6.95 metres.
Then there’s the regenerative braking system that uses a front-mounted radar. When the driver lifts his or her foot off the accelerator, the car automatically knows how quickly it can slow down (the more aggressive the deceleration, the more energy recuperated to the cell) based on the distance between the car and the vehicle in front.
As for the folding fabric roof, it can be dropped in stages, depending on the weather. The section immediately over the driver and passenger’s head can be moved back, like a giant sunroof, or the whole structure can fold back, turning the car into a full convertible.
The new Smart ForTwo cabrio electric drive is the best iteration yet in the company’s attempt to build a stylish, clever, practical electric city car.
And while there is still some way to go to in terms of range and recharging, at 25,000 euros (RM120,000) before government grants or green energy rebates, it is currently one of the cheapest convertibles on the road, regardless of powertrain. — Relaxnews