The idea is as simple as it is seductive: If you're going to get some fresh air yourself, shouldn't you also "keep the air clean"? What could be more obvious than giving a convertible an electric drive? Right. That's why I drove the new smart Cabriolet with e-drive for mein-auto-blog.
Test: SMART ELECTRIC DRIVE Cabriolet
Fresh air in the square
With only three models in its portfolio, it is currently easy for smart to be able to offer “all models” with electric drives. But that sounds really tempting. Electric drive or petrol engine, the customer has the ecological choice for both the two-seater ForTwo and the 4+1 four-seater “ForFour”. Although it's actually not a real choice at all. Because the smart wins as “Electric car” in all areas. And that was already at the predecessor so.
Purring silently, he bravely accelerates away from the traffic lights. Its 60 kW motor pushes the rear axle with a convincing 160 Nm, which is more than enough for the city. Why, of all places, Geneva was chosen to present the stylish “electric open-top two-seater with a grin guarantee” – you can’t even guess. Geneva is hell for individual mobility. Nasty short green phases at the traffic lights, rowdy diplomatic limousines, loud roaring supersize SUVs, scooters and motorcyclists driving amok and a never-ending traffic jam. Geneva's traffic planners simply seem to hate drivers. And right in the middle of it all is the new smart Cabriolet, the electric version of which is available from €25.200. And me.
And because the chaos on the streets of Geneva doesn't seem frustrating enough, you also have to get annoyed with the navigation system of the smart. His French roots seem to want to talk permanently out of the Franco-German friendship to the entire information and entertainment system. How can you, as an automobile manufacturer, sell such a nasty combination of underground hardware and half-baked software as a series version? Seriously. While the navigation system constantly miscalculates in the street canyon of Geneva, the driver simply has to get off at the Jet D'Eau and be released by the next scooter driver.
So get out of town. The supposedly ideal living space of the smart electric drive. You can see that the roof opens within seconds in front of the ice cream parlor - but if you keep your head in the sun when it's well over 30° in the shade, you'll probably find the navigation system quite "okay". Not me. So - the roof solution, which makes sense for all seasons thanks to the glass rear window, is quickly closed again, you are annoyed that you haven't already started the interior cooling system on site via the app - and you listen to the sound of the fresh, cool air. Because that's a realization: When you can no longer hear the engine, everything else suddenly seems much more present.
The E-Smart easily zooms in over the 100 km / h mark on country roads, theoretically 130 km / h would be feasible, but of all things the small smart embodies the form of enjoyable deceleration. The fact that the e-dwarf sprints from a standing start to 4.9 km / h within 60 serves the ego at the regulars' table at least as well as the inner-city permanent duel with the amok two-wheeler.
Of the well over 1.1 tons of curb weight of the E-Smart you don't notice anything. The steering remains indirect, the suspension is passable, but compared to previous generations it is downright fantastic. It's always a question of scale. You can get over the fact that the trunk is really tiny - I didn't expect anything else. However, the fact that according to the papers they only offer a payload of 205 kilograms unsettles the “not skinny Habby” then yes.
With the 17.6 kWh battery, the cute electric convertible can travel up to 160 km. 90 to 120 km seems realistic. And that in turn domesticates the silent electric flea not just for the big city. Because it's not just Geneva that is a stupid big city. Therefore, the note from the author of these lines is very important: “Even if you live in the country, you can easily drive 90 kilometers for a week.” And for us in the country, we at least have a parking space with a power outlet, so the 3.5 hour charging time isn't a shock to us. Not even the 6 hours on the 230 volt household socket.
No - the smart as an electric drive should not be understood as a city dweller alone – he is the lovable zero-emissions flea who combines personal mobility with a clear conscience. You shouldn't forget that it's best to have in-depth local knowledge and that it's best to ignore the martyrdom provided by your cooperation partner (aka navigation system, multimedia system). Just like the idea: If you sit out in the fresh air, you should also “keep it clean”.
[tabgroup] [tab title=”Technology”]Manufacturer: SmartType: electric car
Motor: Third-excited three-phase synchronous motor
Power: 60 kW (82 PS)
Top speed: 130 km / h
Transmission: stepless
Drive: rear-wheel drive
Battery type: lithium-ion
Battery capacity: 17,6
Range electric: 155 km
Consumption: 13 kWh / 100 km according to NEDC
Charging possibility to household socket: Yes
Charging options and connector types: household socket (Schuko); Type 2 plug (wallbox or charging station); Fast charge (from spring 2018)
Charging time: Household plug boxes: Approx. 6 hours; Wallbox: Approx. 3,5 hours
Purchase price: 25.200 Euro
Battery included in the price: Yes[/tab] [/tabgroup]
