Smart’s world premieres for the upcoming Paris Auto Show are the pure electric versions of the ForTwo Coupe and Cabrio, and for the first time, the ForFour.

All three models share the same electric motor producing 82hp (61kW / 83PS) and 160Nm (118 lb-ft) of torque in European specification, allowing for a 0-100km/h (62mph) time of 11.5 sec in the ForTwo Coupe, 11.8 sec in the ForTwo Cabrio and 12.5 sec in the ForFour. Top speed is electronically limited to 130 km/h (80 mph) on all three cars to help maximize efficiency.

A Renault-sourced, single speed fixed gear transmission drives the rear wheels, and if you’re wondering, for reverse, the gearbox simple changes the engine’s direction of rotation.

A 17.6kWh lithium-ion battery offers a driving range of 160km (100 miles) in the ForTwo Coupe, and 155km (96 miles) in the other two, with a charging time of 2.5 hours in the USA and Britain, which is half as long as the previous electric Smarts. In Germany where a different charger is needed due to single-phase alternating current, the new Smart EVs can be charged 40 percent faster than before via a household socket.

From next year, Smart will offer a powerful 22 kW fast charger that can refill the battery in as little as 45 minutes, as an option.

The ForTwo Electric Drive models will first go on sale in the USA, where 25 percent of all Smarts sold had a battery-electric drive, before the end of the year. In mainland Europe, the market launch of all three models, including the ForFour Electric Drive which will not be offered in the USA or the UK, will follow in early 2017.

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