Smart Fortwo ED (2010-) Review

On the road

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Eagle-eyed readers will notice from our pictures the electric Smart we tested is, in fact, a last-generation Fortwo, rather than the current much-improved iteration. That's because both Zytek and Smart have been working together for some time, with customers receiving their first development cars at the end of last year.

With that in mind, we'll leave an actual dissection of how well the electric Fortwo goes round corners until the ED drivetrain is fitted to the later model.

What we can tell you is the ED is very good indeed, even after a recent mind-bending drive in the sublime Tesla Roadster.

Beside the antiquated quadricycle brigade, the Smart drives and rides substantially better and even boasts electric power steering that, despite feeling lifeless, is an important addition considering the substantial weight of the battery cells.

Like most electric cars, step-off from standstill is strong, since the maximum torque peak is delivered from zero revs. With 74bhp developed from the electric powerplant, the Smart keeps up with most traffic in town up to 30mph and will even comfortably cruise at 60mph (although at the expense of battery life, of course).

Helping the electric car's performance is a gearbox that is effectively locked in second gear (as opposed to the standard Fortwo's usual five-/six-speed automated manual). This means that, like the Tesla, it acts as a single speed gearbox: it also has the additional advantage of curing the regular petrol and diesel Smart's prolonged delay between gearchanges.

Battery life is something we'd imagine you would become obsessed with if you owned the ED. On our drive, hampered by nose-to-tail rush-hour traffic, our Smart covered just 38 miles with just under a 90% charge. This is even more frustrating when you consider a full charge takes eight hours (although a part charge of 30-80% takes just three-and-a-half hours).