On the eve of the Frankfurt Motor Show, the updated lineup of the Smart brand was declassified. Since March 2019, 50% of the brand has been owned by the Chinese holding company Geely. It turns out that the current restyling was the first after the sale of half of the company by the German concern Daimler AG. But even more important is the fact that now all Smart models have completely abandoned the internal combustion engine.
Despite the paradigm shift, there has been no revolution in terms of technology: Smart EQ Fortwo and Smart EQ Forfour will be equipped with the same 82 hp electric motor. There is no change in terms of the battery: the battery manufactured by Accumotive (a subsidiary of Daimler AG) holds 17.6 kWh. On a single charge, the car can travel up to 159 kilometers. True, these data are valid for the outdated NEDC standard, so in reality the “range” will be less.
Charging from a regular European outlet will take six hours. If you use a branded charger with a power of 22 kW, then it will take less than 40 minutes to replenish the battery up to 80%.
German-Chinese compacts have changed noticeably in appearance. Two front grilles are replaced by one, but larger. In addition to this, Fortwo and Forfour have slightly different front bumper designs. Three-section LED headlights are available as an option. You can recognize the novelty when viewed from behind by the modified pattern of the lamps.
The new Smarts have an upgraded multimedia system with an 8-inch screen that supports integration with smartphones and over-the-air updates. And the most interesting new thing was not a gadget, but a service: now Smart can be given a ride to your friends, while they do not even need to hand over the keys. All manipulations are performed using a smartphone, which unlocks the car. At first, such a system will work only in some European countries: Germany, France, Italy and Spain.
Updated Smart models: now only electric and half Chinese
