Daimler to Offer All-Electric Option in All Smart Minicar Models

Daimler AG says it will offer an all-electric powertrain option for all models in its Smart city car lineup. The company will unveil the fourth-generation system next week at the Paris auto show.

The choice of electric or piston power will be offered in the brand’s two-seat ForTwo coupe and ForTwo cabriolet and in the larger ForFour four-seater model.

The new electric powertrain uses an 81-hp electric motor to deliver 118 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels. Daimler says the system will be able to propel a Smart car about 160 km (100 miles) per charge and to a top speed of 130 kph (81 mph).

All 2017 EV models will be offered with an optional fast charger that can fully replenish the car’s 17.6-kWh battery in as little as 45 minutes, according to the company.

The electrified Smart ForTwo will debut in Germany at a starting price of €21,900 ($24,600). But Daimler plans to introduce the new electrified lineup in the U.S. in December before launching it in Europe early next year.