When Mercedez-Benz introduces the third generation of its tiny, two-seat plug-in electric vehicle “SmartForTwo” at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month, it will come with a companion vehicle: an electric bicycle.
But first things first. The next generation of the SmartForTwo is expected to feature a new Bosch brushless electric motor with nominal output of 47 horsepower (with a peak of 73 horsepower), a top speed of 75 mph (the previous version of the car had a top speed of 62 mph) and an increased range of about 87 miles: 16 miles further than the second incarnation of the car. The car's makers say it can be recharged in under an hour “in the right circumstances,” reports GizMag.
Another change in the third generation: the Tesla-supplied battery in the current version of the car will be replaced by a 17.6-kilowatt-hour unit from German-based Deutsche Accumotive. Accumotive is a joint venture between Mercedes parent company Daimler and German alternative-energy specialist Evonik, writes AutoWeek.
But the third generation of the SmartForTwo will have to share the spotlight with Mercedes-Benz's new Smart Ebike, a plug-in electric bicycle that can actually be mounted on the back of the electric car.
The Ebike will offer a 250-watt brushless electric hub motor mounted within the 26-inch rear wheel to supplement the pedaling of the rider. The bike offers three gears and four power levels, so the rider can pick a combination of electric power/human power that's right for them (as in...minimal electric assistance in pedaling on flat areas, but extra electric power on uphills.) The bike is good for electric power up to 100 kilometers (about 62 miles) in distance.
The bike will also feature front and rear LED lights and an “infotainment system” that can be accessed via a USB port, reports Yahoo News' Today in Tech blog. Ultimately, the bike's makers hope to develop an iPhone (News - Alert) app that would allow the user to monitor the bike's battery power and range.
No word yet on price.
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Tracey Schelmetic is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To read more of Tracey's articles, please visit her columnist page.Edited by
Jennifer Russell
