The new generation smart is one thing above all: authentically electric. The brand returns to its origins with the systematic switch to emission-free, battery-electric powertrains. In combination with progressive design and intelligent connectivity, smart already offers a sustainable and comprehensive concept for urban mobility today. Since then, Mercedes-Benz has worked on a concept of a purely urban vehicle whose powertrain needs to be not only electric, but also a solution for future urban mobility challenges. The smart with environment-friendly electric powertrain finally became a reality in 2007 with the concept of visionary Nicolas Hayek. Since then, smart has offered an all-electric option in every generation. With the new fortwo and forfour models, the time has finally come: smart is switching to emission-free, battery-electric powertrain technology across the board. A smart makes life in the city easier. With its radical concept and new ideas, smart has always offered the right solutions for urban daily life. At the same time, it is always easy to use and intuitive to understand. Trimmed down to the essentials, a smart gives you more time, more energy and, above all, more freedom.
Apart from the new centre console, the most striking innovation in the interior is the significantly expanded connect media system. The newly developed infotainment generation opens up a new dimension in flexibility and ease of use. The new UX concept means that, for the first time, smart purely relies on the seamless interaction with customer mobile phones and their computing power. With this customer-friendly concept, smart sets itself clearly apart from the competition and demonstrates that most often the simplest solutions deliver the greatest benefit. By focusing on the essentials such as the eight-inch touch screen and high compatibility with various smartphone systems, customers receive not only a more affordable infotainment solution, but above all a solution that is intuitive for them to operate and upgradable. As soon as they switch to a new smartphone or a software update makes new apps available, they are immediately also introduced in the smart.
4.8 seconds for 0 to 60 km/h when the light turns green makes the smart EQ fortwo coupé quick enough to draw astonished looks and provide low-noise driving enjoyment. The new smart models systematically continue to play to all the strengths of the battery-electric powertrain technology. Thanks to clever packaging and the return to the core of the brand, the concept remains light and resource-friendly, and offers sustainable mobility in metropolitan areas. A short wheelbase and an immense track in combination with direct steering make the smart uniquely agile. The all-electric driving experience opens up a completely new dimension in driving enjoyment. With 160 Newton metres of torque available instantly, the new electric models accelerate far better than the 60 kW/82 hp of the separately excited synchronous motor in the rear might suggest. Radar-based recuperation in the city is a particularly convenient feature. It allows the smart to slow down automatically behind a vehicle ahead. Coasting and braking phases are perfectly coordinated to enable the maximum amount of kinetic energy to be returned to the battery.
That is why smart offers a deliberately compact high-voltage battery. The lithium-ion battery supplied by Daimler-owned Deutsche Accumotive consists of three HV modules and a total of 96 HV cells, and has a capacity of 17.6 kWh, sufficient for a range of 159 kilometres (NEDC). This corresponds not only to several times the average daily kilometres driven in Germany, but above all to a generous range in the metropolitan environment where energy can be recovered through recuperation. In order for the smart to keep a cool head even in extreme climatic conditions and under extreme stress, special attention was paid to the temperature management in the electric models. While generously sized air cooling is enough for the electric motor, its flange-mounted power electronics are liquid-cooled. Even the high-voltage battery can be completely conditioned. When needed, it is integrated into the cooling circuit of the powertrain to remain in the optimal temperature range under high permanent load or during fast charging, for example. The same is true when temperatures are extremely low. A battery heater enables warming up the battery for optimal performance and efficiency.
Now all the customer has to do is pick a colour, and their new smart is complete. That choice is now even more difficult, however, because the new models are available in new, fresh colours. In the interior, there are new designs for the upholstery fabric. The days when you laboriously read through the price lists are over. With the new-generation smart, the equipment level structure also becomes smarter. In addition to the base model, the three familiar equipment lines passion, pulse and prime are available. Each line can be combined with one of three equipment packages. The smallest package, “Advanced”, already includes the new media system with smartphone integration, a front armrest as well as an acoustic parking aid. Building on it, the “Premium” package additionally includes a panoramic roof or rather a draught stop on the fortwo cabrio, a reversing camera and a stowage net at the centre console. The top of the range is the “Exclusive” package, which in addition to the “Premium” equipment has Full-LED lights at the front and rear as well as a sensor package comprising rain and light sensor, fog lamps with cornering light function, ambient lighting in the interior and an automatically dimming inside rear-view mirror.
