Smart could start testing lithium ion ForTwo in 2009, possibly in LA
Smart has been field testing a fleet of battery-powered ForTwo ED models in Britain for several months. Now Auto Motor und Sport out of Germany is reporting that an updated version could begin testing in the U.S. as early as 2009. The current model uses high temperature sodium-nickel-chloride Zebra batteries. The new generation will switch to a lithium ion pack and could be tested in the Los Angeles area. There are no specs available at the moment, but Smart's Anders Jensen has said that if the testing provides positive results the car could move to production quickly. Given the relatively disappointing fuel economy of the gasoline-powered version of the ForTwo, an electric drive model could prove quite popular. The layout of the Smart makes it amenable to alternative drivetrains, with a battery pack able to slide under the double floor and an electric motor easily replacing the internal combustion engine.
[Source: Auto Motor und Sport]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Dave 3:48PM (4/30/2008)
Now Smart has my attention. They should fast track a li-ion Smart in the US and undercut the MiEV and others here...they'd sell like wild fire.
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Mark 4:22PM (4/30/2008)
I hope this turns into a production model, I would SO get this over the ZENN, Volt, or MiEV
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mike 4:37PM (4/30/2008)
Here's a Google Translate:
Interesting, Smart is currently a Niche product, so, guys we need more buyers to get this build in the US:
The brands announced chief Anders Jensen in an interview with Auto Motor und Sport: "The new generation, we already from next year the first lithium-ion batteries. And if we thus have a positive experience, we could quickly on a mass production decide. "
Smart is predestined for alternative fuels
The Smart was "predestined for alternative fuels. We have the space and have the car for this kind of drive is not new design." The pilot trial with lithium-ion battery could very well start in Los Angeles, Jensen. "This is certainly a very interesting place for a trial. We are just in a discussion phase, where we could make something."
Los Angeles is the city in the U.S., where the Smart sells best. Of the 30,000 pre-Smart Fortwo that the vast majority, according to Jensen of the east and west coasts of the United States. "California is undoubtedly the most important market, and most cars are we safe in the metropolitan area of Los Angeles sell."
No new Smart-production site
A production of the Smart in the United States was due to the small numbers does not make sense. "At the moment not. So you have to have a very satisfactory volume basis. Let us be clear: The Smart is a niche product. If we have a demand of 100,000 units realize we have to worry where such a thing as appropriate , or whether existing production capacity could be used. But at the moment there is no need to question. " A production of the planned Eastern European Smart Mercedes-small car plant is not useful, so Jensen. "At the moment we do not discuss."
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mike 4:37PM (4/30/2008)
Of course, Premium fuel hurt's it chances.
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BlackbirdHighway 4:51PM (4/30/2008)
Bonus: with an electric drive they can get rid the bad Smart transmission. I haven't driven one, but I understand the automatic tranny is really bad.
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Kevin Nugent 7:11PM (4/30/2008)
Lets bring it on more ev's :)
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hodad66 7:18PM (4/30/2008)
this is why I got my refund (from Smart) Hurry up guys!!
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Mort 7:34PM (4/30/2008)
I never understood the logic of the ICE Smart.
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anthony94114 10:06AM (5/01/2008)
The transmission of the smart is weird, but totally fine. Anyone with a brain understands that the car would never have commanded the sales numbers it's enjoying without the option of an automatic 'feature' though naturally a car this small behaves better as a manual. It is both... and rather clever for it. Doesn't shift like a Lexus (which means it's engaging and fun).
That said, as an owner of a smart, I eagerly anticipate the electric version if it comes to be. It would really ice the cake.
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Richard Chatterton 8:33PM (5/02/2008)
How is the fuel economy of the Smart 'relatively disappointing' because relatively, cars like the Honda Jazz (Fit) obtain figures of around 5.6l/100km at a weight of around 1000kg. The smart weighs about 800kg or maybe a bit more and obtains 4.7l/100km for the naturally aspirated 1.0 litre 3-cylinder engine and 4.9l/100km for the turbo model. Relatively I'd say that's quite good, wouldn't you? It would be naive to think that the Smart would get something like 3-4l/100km...it's just not gonna happen. The Prius only has an official rating of 4.4l/100km anyway - it's not a seriously heavy car and it's a hybrid. If you want serious highway fuel economy you're better off with a small capacity diesel like the new Peugeot 308 HDi which got something like 3.5l/100km in various tests...but for normal driving, fuel economy is never going to be astounding.
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Mike Silva 9:17PM (6/20/2008)
I would love to see a Smart Roadster totally EV - like a mini and lighter Tesla Roadster.
That WAS the vehicle I've been dreaming on... :(unfortunately Smart does not produce Roadsters any more.. why?)
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Paul Sallmen 3:39PM (6/26/2008)
Richard Chatterton says: "...the new Peugeot 308 HDi which got something like 3.5l/100km in various tests..." I wish we had more choice of fuel efficiency in Canada. The Prius, Civic Hybrid and Smart are about the only new cars that get better than 5 L/100 km. We don't have all the small displacement engines and diesels that there are in Europe. There are also a number of manufacturers (eg. Skoda, Fiat, Seat, all the French ones, all the Chinese ones, etc.) that are completely absent in North America. I suspect we will start to see some changes very soon, with ever increasing fuel costs.
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