Smart EQ: City runabout with e-thrust 🎥
CLEVERE AUTOWELT Technically and visually upgraded, the model variants of the Smart now drive purely electrically. They provide a lot of driving pleasure, especially in the city center. AutoSprintCH was on tour. The Smart EQ really feels in its element in the city - whether Fortwo or Forfour. Initial ideas for a city vehicle in the [...]
The Smart EQ really feels in its element in the city - whether Fortwo or Forfour.
The first ideas for a city vehicle like today's Smart go back to the 1970s - visionaries Johann Tomforde and later Nicolas Hayek were already thinking about an electrically powered mini car. Today, the time has finally come: With the new edition of the three models Fortwo Coupé and Cabrio as well as Forfour, the smallest Mercedes Smart EQ has finally arrived in the electric world.
Freshly made up, totally networked
For the first time, the front sections of the Fortwo and Forfour variants are different: while the small car has the familiar front end, the four-seater bears the dynamic facial features of the Vision EQ show car with the radiator grille that widens towards the bottom and optionally integrated fog lights. Another new feature is that the front grilles are painted in the vehicle color. In the interior, which has also been refreshed, the new center console with additional storage options and the new Connect media concept stand out.
Information about the car
In contrast, Smart remained modest in its choice of materials: Plastics dominate the interior. The infotainment system includes smartphone integration with Apple Carplay and Android Auto. The EQ Control app and "Ready-to" services are designed to optimize digital life on board.
"Ready to" not only provides the info around the car itself, but also facilitates charging, parking, navigating and even sharing the car with friends and neighbors.
Nippy spurt in dense city traffic
The Smart EQ really feels in its element in the city - whether Fortwo or Forfour. On the one hand, there are the advantages of good visibility and ample space for two people, and on the other, the impressive dynamics and maneuverability thanks to a minimal turning circle.
Hardly any of them can keep up when starting at traffic lights, and when parking, the dimensions of course speak for themselves: the Fortwo is just 2.69 meters long, the Forfour 3.49 meters.
The range is 144 kilometers
From the start, the 60 kW electric motor delivers 160 Nm, which enables it to reach 60 km/h in 4.8 seconds and is one of the fastest in urban areas. However, the sporty suspension setup and short wheelbase mean that suspension comfort remains limited. The energy of the 17-kWh power storage unit is sufficient for a maximum of 144 kilometers. The battery can be charged from a household outlet in around six hours or with the optional 22 kW on-board charger in just under 40 minutes. Radar-supported recuperation automatically brakes the Smart along with the vehicle in front, thus returning a maximum amount of kinetic energy to the battery.
The new Smart models available from March cost 26,400 (Fortwo), 30,100 (Fortwo Cabrio) and 27,400 Swiss francs (Forfour).
