Video Summary
The review concerns the Smart ED/electric drive.It's the fourth generation of electric Smarts.
The Smart is a cult vehicle.
Its range is 100 miles, but more like 75 in the winter.
Mercedes is in bed with Renault for their smaller car and electric tech.
All Smart models are available with electric drive.
The Smart 42 is available with a steel roof or as a convertible.
It's the world’s first mass-produced electric convertible.
The Smart 44 is a four-seat, four-door car based on the Renault Twingo.
People who buy Smart cars love them and repeat purchase.
The Smart 42 is 2.7 m long.
It's a true 21st-century bubble car.
It's very safe.
The Smart is based around a tridion safety cell, which is a steel roll cage with plastic panels.
The batteries live under the floor, resulting in a lower center of gravity than the piston equivalent.
It has a three-phase electric motor under the back.
It's rear-wheel drive.
The charging system currently only charges at 7kW.
They're going to instantiate 22kW charging in 2018.
It will charge from 20% to 100% in about two and a half hours.
The engine lives under the boot at the back if it's a petrol car.
The electric models eliminate having the pathetic automatic gearbox of previous versions.
The interior looks more fun than previous versions.
It has funky pod heater outlets.
It's equipped with power-of-charge, regen, digital and analog speedo displays.
There are various models.
The top speed is 81 mph.
It is a rear engine car.
The torque is 118 lb-ft of torque.
The 0–62 mph time is 11.5 s.
It can preheat climate.
The throttle response is as one would expect in that range of cars.
For more efficiency, one can click the "eco" button, which dulls throttle response for more energy recuperation.
They've priced it such that people will easily buy it.
The Smart drives as a larger car and feels more stable.
Good visibility
Lots of light due to large glazings.
Turning circle is about 7.3m (better than London cab by 7.6m)
The Smart 44 starts at £17,000.
The Smart 42 starts at £16,500.
The Smart convertible starts at £18,500.
The fabric folding top is a nice touch.
