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The new Smart ForTwo Electric Drive has been introduced ahead of its world premiere at the 2016 Paris Motor Show.
Boasting 80 horsepower and 118 pound-feet of torque, this urban all-electric vehicle will be available in coupe or convertible form in the U.S., with the coupe arriving in spring 2017. The Smart ForTwo Cabriolet is the only electric convertible on the market and will arrive U.S. dealerships in summer 2017. The automaker is also adding an electric variant to the Smart ForFour, but that won’t be available in the U.S.
On the generous Euro NEDC cycle, the Smart ForTwo Electric Drive will return approximately 99 miles (160 kilometers), but expect that figure to be less on the U.S. cycle. Smart has said U.S. range and overall electric motor specifications will be revealed closer to launch. It will, however, be faster to charge thanks to a high-performance on-board charger. The automaker estimates the U.S. preliminary new-generation charge time will be 2.5 hours, compared to the previous model’s 5.5 hours.
SEE ALSO: 2017 Smart Fortwo Cabrio Priced from $19,650
Both models will have a top speed of 81 mph (130 km/h) and will do the standard zero-to-60 mph sprint in 11.4 seconds for the coupe and 11.7 seconds for the convertible.
“The smart is the ideal city car, and with electric drive it becomes a little bit more perfect,” says Annette Winkler, head of Smart. “This is why we will soon be offering our entire range – smart fortwo, smart cabrio and even our smart forfour – as all-electric versions. Together with lots of smart fans and enthusiastic drivers of the predecessor generations, we are looking forward to the unique driving fun offered by the new smart electric drive at very attractive prices, especially in countries where there is a buyer’s premium.”
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