[chieftmc]

https://twitter.com/Daimler/status/907314886044213249

 

[jwight]

Actually, this is exactly what Nicolas Hayek envisioned for smart (the electric part, not the self driving part.)

 

[Miss Mercedes]

Yep! Nicolas Hayek wanted his cars to come in two potential flavours, hybrid and EV. MB attempted to satisfy that first one with the totally not hybrid mhd, and I guess that second one is coming, fast.

I'm kinda saddened by this, but as a smart purist I am also happy to see smart's creator's dreams become fully fleshed reality.

 

[Blaine]

Great move. Now all they need to do is increase the battery capacity. Which is obviously something that can be done, at least by 25%

Brabus Ultimate E Concept Is A 201-HP Smart EV

 

[Miss Mercedes]

Seems weird that they didn't do that in the first place...though I guess that may be because the 453 ED may be just a stop gap between now and whatever they're going to release in 2020?

 

[smark]

The license plate says zero emission, on it. I see three tail pipe, shooting out the rear end. The tail pipes, must be for decoration.

 

[Blaine]

I see three tail pipe, shooting out the rear end. ... The tail pipes, must be for decoration.

Totally! You would think that they could have done something just a bit more inventive rather than regressive.

 

[Blaine]

Seems weird that they didn't do that in the first place...though I guess that may be because the 453 ED may be just a stop gap between now and whatever they're going to release in 2020?

Their marketing or management folks must have been on an extended recreational substance binge. The lack of a battery boost is both short sighted of them and sabotages their sales efforts. EVERY other manufacturer of an EV has incrementally or substantially increased battery capacity with model refreshes. And most have done it periodically without a redesign.

Increased battery capacity is almost always the #1 thing that owners want from EV vendors. While its usually not necessary, it is what customers *want*.

Imagine how the 453 ED will look as each year their competitors increase the range of their EVs and people ask: "58 miles? Don't you mean 158 miles? That's about what my Leaf gets..."

When we were looking at the 453 ED at the end of our 451 ED lease the complete "no change" on range elicited a "WHAT are they thinking?" from my wife, and a veto on the 453.

 

[oscarlqw]

I see three tail pipe, shooting out the rear end. The tail pipes, must be for decoration.

those tail pipes are brake lights

 

[smark]

those tail pipes are brake lights

How many brake light do you need?

 

[oscarlqw]

How many brake light do you need?

lol, that was the exact question I was wondering when I read about it from the article.

http://www.autohome.com.cn/news/201709/907002.html#pvareaid=104402

It's in Chinese, but you can see the pictures for reference

 

[Miss Mercedes]

Ah, colour changing lights!

 

[Blaine]

How many brake light do you need?

LOL.

Maybe they should turn the entire drop gate panel in to a massive LED brake light...

 

[smark]

Chinese translation....

Rear view, addition of wide fender flares rear styling is even more generous, in addition, the new car exhaust bilateral two-shape to the Middle three out of shape, because the cars are electric, so the new car in exhausting place for lighting and design.