Paris 2008: smart shows off its second-gen ED
While some sites are busy making fun of its name (yeah, we thought of that too... and you? Does it matter? Comments are welcome), others were busy conducting interviews with Dr. Z. in an attempt to find out when we may see the smart ED in America. The answer is that it's coming, if not next year then shortly thereafter. Daimler hopes to have 1,000 electric smarts running rather silently around the world by the end of next year, and it's distinctly possible that a portion of them will be in the U.S. This is the second-generation of the smart ED, and it is now powered by a lithium ion battery pack that may or may not be supplied by Tesla Motors. The last-gen model used a sodium battery. With the new pack, the smart ED can achieve a range of up to 150 miles -- plenty of distance for the urban use the little car is likely to be subjected to.
[Source: Popular Mechanics / Photo: Inside Line]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Matt 8:12PM (10/03/2008)
ED is only an acronym for erictile dysfunction for those thinking about it, the same way that "SMART" is an acronym for "Smelly Men Attack Respected Teachers" to those talking about it. OMG THEY ATTACK TEachers!
Wrong. You just projected your thoughts onto a word. Grow up. Failing to get it up is only a problem for an absolutely tiny percentage of the population. Only those already thinking of floppy penises were thinking this.
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vLane 8:56PM (10/03/2008)
well, leaving aside the apparently controversial name, I'm excited for these, but not as excited as for the electric mini cooper.
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fuel.shy 10:09PM (10/03/2008)
I just have to say that is a fantastic logo!
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GenWaylaid 1:19AM (10/04/2008)
I'm excited that this new model apparently can drive straight up walls. That's Smart for you, always coming up with creative solutions to parking problems.
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kert 5:46AM (10/04/2008)
Its not driven up the wall, its just hanging on coat hanger, to dry.
Like a rucksack.
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David 11:52PM (10/05/2008)
Anybody know how big the battery is (i.e. how much of a tax break this will get in the US when it goes on sale)?
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Galley 8:46AM (10/06/2008)
If the price is right, this will be my next car.
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Sasparilla 11:01AM (10/06/2008)
That's enough range, even throwing in winter or air conditioning etc. to handle my commute...looking forward to Smart getting these in production and deployed to the US. You can almost taste the chance to buy production electric vehicles...just a couple more years...can't wait to have to choose.
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graham 3:02PM (1/12/2009)
The name is a drawback for some, but not deadly, especially with that cool logo.
BUT they should be calling it the eDrive instead of the ED, duh.
I'll buy one if it's under 20K.
It would be nice to see Lithium Polymer batteries, though...
And I wish it were available tomorrow.
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graham 12:03PM (1/12/2009)
In fact, calling it the "eDrive" would mean the full name would be "Smart eDrive" which sounds like smarty drive, which sounds like you made an intelligent choice of purchase.
Can I get my check now?
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