[MB DNA]

As Smart's lineup goes completely electric in the United States, the brand positions itself within Mercedes' EQ family of EVs.

Or, as Kamaal suggested it is now just another M-B model.

3/5/2018 - Road/Show by cnet.com . . .

The unfortunately named Smart ED models (come on, you know why) will now be called Smart EQ ForTwo.

https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/smart-eq-electric-drive/

 

[jwight]

CEO of smart Dr. Annette Winkler made on the announcement:

“smart is electric, innovative, intelligent and totally unique, or in three words each: ‘smart EQ fortwo’ and ‘smart EQ forfour’. With the smart EQ fortwo/forfour, we are putting the first products from the Mercedes-Benz Cars EQ family on urban roads and showing how much fun electric mobility can be.”

With the introduction of the electric vehicles in the new EQ brand, Daimler is unveiling a new ‘nightsky’ special edition of the fortwo and forfour as well as a few new features for the electric smart car lineup.

 

[MB DNA]

Appears MY18 may see the return of "Connectivity"

Daimler also announced a new ‘smart EQ control’ mobile app to access a few feature of the smart EQ electric cars:

• CONNECT offers the functions of an on-board computer. The user can call up their vehicle’s current status at any time by smartphone. Displayed information includes charge level, range and whether the tyre pressure is correct, for example.
• CONTROL enables functions such as pre-entry climate control to be operated conveniently from anywhere via the app. Additional remote functions are planned.
• COMFORT uses push notifications to inform smart drivers if, for example, the state of charge of the battery is very low. The app’s scope of functions also includes a link to the innovative smart “ready to” services.

The app will be available in “mid-2018”, according to the automaker.

Note - some of the items being discussed in this release may be Euro only . . .

https://electrek.co/2018/03/05/daimler-electric-smart-cars-mercedes-benz-cars-eq-fast-charging/

 

[Tony Margulis]

The smart brand is officially dead. The smart car is not.

Looks like MB is rebranding the car and offering a larger battery.
https://electrek.co/2018/03/05/daimler-electric-smart-cars-mercedes-benz-cars-eq-fast-charging/

 

[10470]

The smart brand is officially dead. The smart car is not.

Looks like MB is rebranding the car and offering a larger battery.
https://electrek.co/2018/03/05/daimler-electric-smart-cars-mercedes-benz-cars-eq-fast-charging/

I couldn’t find any mention of a larger battery. Faster charging for Europe, yes.

Did I overlook s/thing?

 

[Tony Margulis]

It may have been a different article I read on the same subject. They're going to start offering a 22kwh battery which is approx 25% larger than the current battery. That should conceivably raise the range to about 75 miles.

 

[10470]

They're going to start offering a 22kwh battery which is approx 25% larger than the current battery.

Aahhh. That’s the new onboard battery **charger** spec for Euro market cars, I believe.

 

[MB DNA]

That’s the new onboard battery **charger** spec for Euro market cars, I believe.

"The biggest feature added to the new ‘smart EQ fortwo’ and ‘smart EQ forfour’ is a new 22 kW onboard charger."

https://electrek.co/2018/03/05/daimler-electric-smart-cars-mercedes-benz-cars-eq-fast-charging/

 

[Miss Mercedes]

Okay...so at this point with smart having effectively been relaunched, can we get the forfour now? An EQ forfour would have some hot competition and resolves one of the two major complaints holding back people from buying a smart ED (only 2 seats).

 

[MB DNA]

Okay...so at this point with smart having effectively been relaunched, can we get the forfour now?

Of course, but only if you are moving to Europe . . . :shrug:

 

[Tony Margulis]

Oops, I guess I misread it. Faster charger, same battery.

 

[smark]

I’d just move to Europe. Buy a more practical 453 Brabus Excusive Taylor made ICE model. Maybe have some change left of for a ICE forfour.

What good is to offer another EV smart car model here. Without any dealership outlet.

 

[Tony Margulis]

I’d just move to Europe. Buy a more practical 453 Brabus Excusive Taylor made ICE model. Maybe have some change left of for a ICE forfour.

What good is to offer another EV smart car model here. Without any dealership outlet.

I'm guessing the point is that rebranding and bundling it with the all electric eqC luxury SUV that's about to be released will spark interest for new dealers to come on board. Especially since MB has announced more future EQ models to come.