2016 Smart Fortwo Passion Coupe on 2040-cars

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Daimler chairman agrees with German Greens on reducing emissions

Daimler Chairman Dieter Zetsche spoke at a Green Party congress in Germany earlier this week and said he agreed with the party's urge to dramatically cut transportation-based greenhouse-gas emissions by expanding plug-in vehicle sales, Reuters says. Zetsche stopped short of backing the Greens' suggestion to ban gas- and diesel-powered vehicles by 2030, though. The man must keep his job, after all. Zetsche did say that reducing greenhouse-gas emissions from the transportation sector was "necessary," and his company has made plans to do just that. Daimler representatives said at the Paris Motor Show earlier this year that Smart and Mercedes-Benz both planned to debut more than 10 electric vehicles within the next decade, and that plug-ins may account for as much as 25 percent of Mercedes-Benz's sales by then. Moreover, Dr. Thomas Weber, Head of Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development, said in June that Mercedes could be selling as many as 100,000 EVs a year by the end of the decade. Last month, Mercedes-Benz announced that its EQ electric-SUV concept would go on sale by 2020, and that the Bremen factory that's producing the model will broaden its plug-in vehicle production further. Zetsche's cautious support notwithstanding, the German government appears to be doing its own part to reduce emissions from the country's light-duty vehicles. Earlier this year, Germany enacted a plan that provides as much as 4,000 euros ($4,270) in perks for people who buy new electric vehicles, with German automakers agreeing to foot about half of the estimated $1.4 billion bill. German lawmakers had also floated the idea of a 10-year moratorium on electric-vehicle taxes for cars purchased before 2020. Related Video: News Source: Reuters via Automotive News Europe-sub.req.Image Credit: Ralph Orlowski / Reuters Government/Legal Green Mercedes-Benz smart Electric

Smart brings back the 1970s with a fabric-covered hardtop

In a move that only makes sense to Daimler, the Germans are bringing back a style we all thought was finally dead. Yes, starting in September, a fabric-covered hard top will be standard on the Smart Fortwo coupe. Smart announced today a number up updates for the current generation of Fortwo. At the top, literally and figuratively, is a black-fabric roof that will be standard equipment on all Fortwo coupes. For Brabus owners that feel they're missing out, the fabric roof is a no-cost option that replaces the panoramic glass roof. This isn't a cabriolet or a soft targa. It's just a standard hard top with a cloth covering. Other updates to the Fortwo don't seem so left field. A new LED lighting and sensor package will be available. A new child seat fastening system will be standard. A number of new color and wheel options will be available on various models. Opera windows don't seem to be an option, but we can't discount the possibility for a future update. Smart has only revealed one photo of the cloth top, so it's not clear how the design will look on what is already an interesting-looking car. Smart claim its blurring the borders between a soft top and a solid roof. Really, it just seems that they're blurring the already murky line between retro and ridiculous. No one's been pining for a return to 1970s automotive styling. Related Video: News Source: Daimler Design/Style smart Coupe

Smart unveiling Brabus-edition Fortwo EV, e-bike in Geneva

Daimler's Smart minicar division will unveil both a battery-electric version of the Smart Brabus special-edition line and a Smart Brabus electric bike at the Geneva Motor Show this year.
The Smart Brabus electric drive Fortwo will be available in 12 countries by the end of the year. Parent company Daimler notes the model will include touches such as 17-inch alloy wheels, an "electric green" interior. The diminutive runabout will deliver about 80 horsepower, though the German automaker hasn't specified a single-charge range.
Meanwhile, Smart's Brabus ebike will have an electric motor that will deliver 500 watts of power, enough for a top speed of 25 miles per hour. It will also be available at Smart dealers by the end of the year. Smart isn't disclosing pricing on either the Brabus ForTwo EV or the new ebike but you can see both in our gallery.