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January 18, 2017 12:00 AM

Smart improves ForTwo, ForFour EV variants with Renault tech

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    Smart offers EV variants in three body styles: the ForFour hatchback, the ForTwo convertible -- the only electric cabriolet on the market -- and the ForTwo coupe.

    Smart has improved its EV technology for the battery-powered versions of its ForTwo and ForFour with help from Renault. At 160 km, the Daimler subsidiary's electric drivetrain has a 10 percent longer range under the European testing regime than the previous powertrain. It also has a more powerful 60-kilowatt (81-hp) electric motor and 20 percent more torque at 160 Newton meters.

    Power consumption has been reduced by 15 percent to 12.9 kilowatt hours per 100 km. The driving range of the ForTwo and ForFour EVs is much less than other full-electric cars on the market, but a larger battery to help extend the range could not be fitted in the car's chassis, executives said. Smart says the range is still plenty for city use. "We will tell customers that the 160-km range equals between 120 km and 130 km in real traffic conditions but in winter it could be even less," Rouven Remp, Smart’s product manager said.

    The ForTwo and ForFour use electric drivetrains supplied by Renault, which has an industrial partnership with Daimler. The drivetrain is produced at Renault's plant in Cleon, France. The lithium-ion battery cells come from LG Chem. Daimler subsidiary Deutsche Accumotive manufactures the battery pack in Germany.

    The ForTwo EV will be offered in Smart's global markets but the ForFour EV only will be sold in Europe. The ForTwo EV will launch first in the U.S., where 25 percent of the two-seat minicar's sales are the battery-powered version.

    With a base price of 21,940 euros in Germany, the ForTwo EV is one of the most affordable EVs on the market. The four-door variant costs just 600 euros more. In Germany, the price could be as low as 18,000 euros with government and dealer incentives, Remp said. He sees such a price as a "kick starter" for EV take-up by consumers.

    AUTOMOTIVE NEWS EUROPE MONTHLY MAGAZINE

    This story is from Automotive News Europe's latest monthly magazine, which is also available to read on our iPhone and iPad apps.You can download the new issue as well as past issues by clicking here.

    Fast Facts

    Target buyers: City residents seeking a green, first or second car. Green-minded companies.

    Technology: A powerful 22-kilowatt on-board charging unit option will be offered at the end of this year. It will enable a recharge at a public charger in less than 45 minutes.

    What's good: The cars offer a quiet, comfortable drive as well as a tight turning radius.

    What's bad: The vehicles have limited load capacity and driving range.

    Launch date: January (ForTwo, U.S.); April (Europe, ForTwo and ForFour)

    Base price: 21,940 euros (ForTwo); 22,540 euros (ForFour)

    Where built: Hambach, France (ForTwo); Novo Mesto, Slovenia (ForFour)

    Main rivals: Renault Zoe, VW e-Up, Peugeot iOn, Citroen C-Zero

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        • Capgemini: The circular economy is spurring new thinking on EV batteries
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