Smart reveals revised EQ models

Smart has revealed the revised EQ family that will make its debut at the IAA. The Fortwo and Forfour models, which are only available electric for some time now, have both been given a facelift, while the drive remains unchanged.

The most conspicuous change is immediately obvious at the front of the car, with slightly modified headlights and the newly designed radiator grille, which is, of course not actually a radiator grille, but rather an ornamental trim. This “grille” pattern comes in different designs depending on the version. In addition, the word “Smart” is the car’s only logo and is mounted on the hood. With the update, the previously characteristic two-colour paintwork of the Smart has changed, and the fenders are now painted in the same colour as the car.

The technical data of the drive remain the same, although Smart speaks of a “new generation” to describe the facelift. The electric motor mounted in the rear still has an output of 60 kW and the battery has a capacity of 17.6 kWh. This means that the range remains constant, it is still between 140 and 159 kilometres according to NEDC.

A 22 kW on-board charger is available as an option, which features a rapid-charging function so the battery can be charged from 10% to 80% in under 40 minutes. In Europe, Smart cooperates with Plugsurfing at public charging points. All charging details are registered and invoiced via the newly designed smart EQ control App.

Prices and the start of sales have not been released yet. Instead of the many individual options that have been customary with German carmakers to date, Smart now only wants to offer packages for the four different equipment versions. In addition, the permanently installed navigation system is no longer required, the car’s infotainment is now increasingly focusing on the integration of the smartphone and mirrors Android and iOS mobile phones with the “UX concept”.

Earlier this year Daimler launched a series of its final 21 combustion engine Smart in a limited collector’s edition before the brand goes fully electric next year. This was the last fossil fuelled version on what has been a rocky road from the orginal vision concept back in the 80s. The original Smart concept was developed by Nicolas Hayek, the co-founder and CEO of The Swatch Group, and was designed to be electric from the start. The idea was to have an interchangeable body (similar to the Swatch watches) as well as cooperation with the railways in the form of a car that could be carried on long journeys. The Smart is still a long way off that concept, but at least the little car is now staying fully electric.

carscoops.com, autocar.co.uk, daimler.com (short version), daimler.com (long version)