Smart will use the Frankfurt motor show to reveal an upgraded version its all-electric city car
Smart is readying a facelift for its ForTwo and ForFour range, and electric prototypes have been spotted testing ahead of its Frankfurt motor show debut.
The maker is expected to be using the facelift, likely to go on sale towards the end of the year, to remove all of its petrol engine options and go EV-only. It follows on from an announcement last year that the brand would become “a fully electric urban mobility brand” under new leadership.
With combustion engine variants gone, Smart will be looking improve the current weaknesses of the EQ models - namely the uncompetitive electric range. Under the new WLTP system the current EV promises just 70 miles from its 22kWh battery, far below that of any of the latest crop of small electric cars.
Expect developments in battery technology, plus a larger capacity, to be able to take that up to or above 124 miles. Charging speeds should hopefully improve, too, as the current model is only able to charge at up to 7kW. It's not clear yet if the 82bhp electric motor will receive a power boost, however.
Alongside this, expect revisions to the cars exterior to include new headlight and bumper designs. Expect upgrades to the car's infotainment and interior, too; the ForFour prototype's centre console is covered up, so features such as wireless smartphone charging could be brought in.
The facelifted ForTwo and ForFour will be the last Daimler-only Smarts before Geely, now a 50% stakeholder, takes over the engineering for the next generation. Mercedes-Benz will continue to design the car's visuals, with all-new models expected in 2022.
Read more:
Geely takes 50% stake in Smart from Daimler
via Autobuzz Today
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