smart EQ fortwo, forfour nightsky edition EVs unveiled – new fast charger, car-sharing service also introduced

smart EQ fortwo, forfour nightsky edition EVs unveiled – new fast charger, car-sharing service also introduced

With a full range of electric vehicles already in production, smart’s induction into the Mercedes-Benz EQ family of EVs comes not a moment too soon. The maker of tiny runabouts is celebrating the milestone by unveiling the smart EQ fortwo and forfour nightsky edition, the first models to wear the EQ badge.

Based on the existing fortwo electric drive, the fortwo nightsky edition comes only in black and is equipped with the Brabus Exterior Style package with pacific blue highlights – the signature colour of the EQ brand. This includes a front spoiler, side skirts and, on the hardtop, a roof spoiler.

The hue also adorns the lip of the black 16-inch Brabus Monoblock VIII alloy wheels, as well as the door mirror caps; the cabriolet model features a black soft top to match the moody exterior theme. Meanwhile, the forfour nightsky edition receives detachable SUV-style components shared with the crosstown edition, including a front spoiler, side skirts and rear underbody guard all in pacific blue.

Inside, the nightsky edition gets the Brabus Interior Colour pack, with the Brabus dashboard instrument, speedometer ring, air vent rings and instrument panel surrounds all painted in that same shade of pacific blue. Also included is the Brabus Interior Style package that throws in a unique gearknob, handbrake lever, door sill plates and sports pedals. Blue-trimmed floor mats with “nightsky” badging complete the look.

smart EQ fortwo, forfour nightsky edition EVs unveiled – new fast charger, car-sharing service also introduced

Standard kit on the nightsky edition includes the Comfort package with a height-adjustable driver’s seat, powered door mirrors and height-steering, the Stowage package with a lockable glovebox and a stowage net in the footwell, as well as the LED & Sensor package. The latter incorporates halogen headlights with a welcome lighting function, integrated LED daytime running lights and LED tail lights.

No mechanical details are included, but expect the EQ fortwo and forfour nightsky edition to come with the same 60 kW (81 hp) electric motor and single-speed transmission as the electric drive, with 160 Nm of torque, 160 km of all-electric range and a 130 km/h top speed.

But the nightsky editions aren’t the only news from smart – the company is also offering a new 22 kW onboard fast charger in May that will enable electric-powered smart models to be charged from 10% to 80% in just 40 minutes with a commercial three-phase charging system. This is down from 3.5 hours using the standard 4.6 kW charger, or under six hours with a domestic wall socket. A wallbox is also available.

smart EQ fortwo, forfour nightsky edition EVs unveiled – new fast charger, car-sharing service also introduced

Also introduced is the redesigned smart EQ control app for smartphones, which now provides push notifications – such as alerting the driver if battery charge is low – and access to smart’s “ready to” services. As before, the app will also allow users to check vehicle status and precondition the climate control system.

Last but not least, smart is officially rolling out its “ready to share” private car-sharing service, which will allow owners to share their cars with others. It joins other “ready to” services already available, such as “ready to rent” hiring, “ready to drop” and “ready to drop+” in-car delivery, and “ready to park+” parking.

smart is bullish about its move to a fully electric lineup – the company has already become an EV-only brand in the United States, Canada and Norway since last year, and will complete the transition in Germany and the rest of Western Europe by 2020, with more countries to follow.

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Jonathan Lee

After trying to pursue a career in product design, Jonathan Lee decided to make the sideways jump into the world of car journalism instead. He therefore appreciates the aesthetic appeal of a car, but for him, the driving experience is still second to none.

 
 

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