The all-new 2017 smart electric drive will be $1,200 less expensive than the outgoing model, starting at $23,800 for the coupe and $28,000 for the cabrio (not including a $750 destination charge and federal and state incentives). Arriving at US dealers this summer, the next-generation smart electric drive will have improved range, more power, more space and additional standard features.

Daimler has recently announced that it will stop selling gas-powered smarts in the US and Canada and only offer electric drive, making smart one of two companies that sell only EVs in North America.

For 2017, the smart electric drive features a more powerful electric motor, a higher top speed and faster AC charging time with a higher power onboard charger – with a modest estimated range of approximately 70-80 miles. Additional standard features of the new model now include cruise control and a battery warranty.

All models have a new 7 kW on-board charger as a standard feature. Charging time is an estimated 2.5 hours – about twice as fast as the predecessor (0-80% charge on 240 V wallbox).

An 80 hp electric motor is situated at the rear, and transmits its power via a constant ratio to the rear wheels, producing torque of 118 lb-ft, a 23% increase over the 96 lb-ft offered by the previous generation.

Source: Mercedes-Benz