2013 Smart Fortwo Passion 2dr Hatchback on 2040-cars

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Smart ForTwo Iceshine won't make your hair look any better

This must be a first: Smart has named its latest special edition ForTwo after a shampoo. Not really, but clearly someone at Daimler did not do due diligence (or use Google) before dreaming up the Iceshine moniker.
The Smart ForTwo Iceshine is a special edition based on the model's Passion trim level, while Ice Shine is a variety of Pantene. Coming in white and a special azure blue, the vehicular Iceshine matches those exterior colors with white alloys and white mirrors to give the Smartfortwo a positively twenty-five year-old feel. Other equipment includes LED daytime running lamps, "leather effect" seats, and a three-spoke leather steering wheel. Interior trim is done up in - you guessed it - white, including the rings around the Fortwo's instrumentation. Frankly, we're finding all of this about as exciting as washing your hair.
Smart will be looking to push only 1,800 of these onto the German market, starting at just over $18,000 for the coupe and roughly $22,000 for the convertible.

Daimler eMERGE2 test proves ignorance breeds dislike of EVs

Out with the old EVs, in with the new. Daimler announced today that it has finished up the eMERGE electric vehicle project that used Smart Fortwo Electric Drive cars and will now start up eMERGE2, which will use Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive and PHEV vehicles. As before, the tests will take place in Germany. The first, just-finished eMERGE program ran from May 2013 to June 2015 and put over a million kilometers (621,000 miles) onto 146 Smart Fortwo EDs. Daimler said that over the two years, the vehicle with the most efficient annual energy consumption used just 10.4 kWh for all of its 100 kilometers. The best full-charge range over the year was 161 kilometers (100 miles). Perhaps most interesting, though, was one of the projects findings: "the less an interviewee knew about electric mobility, the more negative their opinion" about the technology. In other words, here's some more proof that getting "butts in seats," as it were, is one reasonable way to promote electric driving. eMERGE: key contribution to developing the mobility of the future Stuttgart/Berlin, Jul 30, 2015 Broad-based real-world trial of eMERGE project completed Especially for daily distances of 50 km or over the E-car is financially attractive eMERGE2 fleet project now launching with 200 Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive and plug-in hybrid models Stuttgart/Berlin – After more than one million kilometres in two years – from May 2013 to June 2015 – the real-world trial of electric cars known as eMERGE has been completed. Those taking part in the project were private and business customers with 146 smart fortwo electric drive cars from Berlin, Potsdam and North Rhine-Westphalia. Some of them set records: the lowest average energy consumption over one year was 10.4 kWh/100 km, while the longest range was 161 kilometres. The smart fortwo electric drive is certified with a consumption of 16.3 kWh/100 km and a range of 145 kilometres. The broad-based field trial within the framework of the eMERGE project has not only provided information on user behaviour and e-car technology; it also studied intelligent charging systems for improving the utilisation of the power supply as well as various pricing systems with regard to customer acceptance. Based on transport models, the project partners examined the need for a publicly available charging infrastructure. Within the project Daimler was responsible for collecting the driving and charging data required for evaluation of the field trial.

New Car2go Regional Access shares carsharing between US, Canada

The 13 various North American Car2go services are about to play together a lot nicer. With the new "Regional Access" plan, every North American Car2go member will be able to use his or her membership from one city in another. This was previously available within the US to US-based members who wanted to use their accounts in another US city, but now US users can drive in the three Canadaian Car2go cities - Calgary, Toronto and Vancouver - and vice versa. Regional Access starts May 5 (so, sadly, not in time for any Star Wars Day shenanigans you may have planned), and does not cost any extra to use. Of course, opening up more cars to the current membership by definition increases the amount of possible Car2go trips, so it makes a lot of sense for Car2go to offer this upgrade for free. Sadly, European cities are not included in this change, but we hope that happens in the near future. If you have a Car2go account but haven't been using it because of recent price hikes (we're looking at you, Austin airport parking), then check out Free2go, an app that tells you which of the Car2go Smart Fortwo vehicles near you need a fill-up. Since Car2go provides users with 20 free minutes if they refill a car with a gas tank that is less than a quarter full, Free2go is a way to get some time credited to your account. This bonus is not applicable in cities with electric Car2go fleets, like San Diego. Dear car2go Member, We are proud to share some exciting news with you. At car2go, we've heard from many of you about the need for more transportation options in your city – and we listened. We've updated our Terms and Conditions and Trip Processes in preparation for more exciting features to come that will enhance your car2go experience. In fact, starting May 5th, 2014, we'll be giving our members the opportunity to take advantage of our first major upgrade (for free!): car2go Regional Access. This allows all North American car2go members to use the car2go service in any of car2go's 13 cities across the U.S. and Canada. So, what does this mean for existing members? As we prepare to expand into more innovative mobility options, all members will be required to accept the new Terms and Conditions and Trip Processes, which will go into effect on May 5th, 2014, more details on the changes can be found in the document here.