Mercedes-Benz’s eye toward the future boldly saw a fully electric, fully autonomous concept car debut at the 2017 Frankfurt Auto Show. Hailing from its Smart division, the concept took cues from the production ForTwo and injected predictions of what the future might hold. Less than a year later, the 2018 Geneva International Motor Show was the launch pad for a production version of the car, the company's first ever EQ product. Unfortunately, the EQ ForTwo is far from futuristic and shares as many features with the concept vehicle as the standard ForTwo. Yes, Mercedes' first EQ car is nothing more than a rebadged Smart ForTwo.
A bit disappointing if you got all excited about Merc's first production EQ, but it's not completely shocking that the Vision EQ ForTwo concept didn't go into production. While the EQ division is set to showcase some cool technology, its design isn't supposed to be groundbreaking. We've already seen camouflaged versions of the upcoming SUV and it's pretty obvious that it will look a lot like the Mercedes-Benz GLC, so it's not out of this world that the EQ ForTwo is pretty much the ForTwo Electric Drive with a few extra features. What sets them apart? Let's find out in the review below.
Continue reading to learn more about the Smart EQ ForTwo.
2018 Smart EQ ForTwo
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- Model: 2018 Smart EQ ForTwo
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Smart ForTwo EQ Exterior
- Identical to Electric Drive model
- New EQ badges
- Special Nightsky edition
- Pacific Blue accents
*** Nothing really changed design-wise, with the "new" model sporting the same features seen on the third-gen ForTwo ***
While the Smart Vision EQ Concept had a futuristic and bubbly design, the production ForTwo EQ is identical to the regular model. Actually, it's identical to the ForTwo Electric Drive it replaces. Nothing really changed design-wise, with the "new" model sporting the same features seen on the third-gen ForTwo launched in 2015, the same sporty bumper and even the same wheels. Smart only changed the badges. Up front, the "Electric Drive" lettering above the grille was replaced with a small "smart EQ fortwo" badge on the radiator mesh. The same badge is visible on the tailgate around back.
Okay, this isn't necessarily bad from a design point of view. The current Smart is quite the looker and it's still fresh. But I wasn't expecting Mercedes-Benz to keep the exact same exterior with the new badge.
*** The EQ ForTwo will be launched with a special Nightsky Edition ***
There is something relatively new though. The EQ ForTwo will be launched with a special Nightsky Edition that includes a few black-painted elements. These include the tridion safety cell and radiator grille, the front spoiler, the side skirts, and the roof edge spoiler. In addition, it gets Pacific Blue accents on the front splitter, wheels, side skirts, mirror caps, and diffuser-like element around back. Smart offered something similar on the Electric Drive, which had green accents, so it's not entirely new.
Smart ForTwo EQ Interior
- Same interior as Electric Drive
- Blue accent trim
- New Smart EQ Control app
- 22 kW on-board charger
- Standard Brabus package on Nightsky model
*** The interior is just as modern and stylish as the regular ForTwo ***
As you might have already guessed, the interior of the EQ ForTwo has nothing to do with the concept car and its identical to the ForTwo Electric Drive. It's just as modern and stylish as the regular ForTwo but with a few specific features. One of them is the additional display in the instrument cluster for the power meter and the battery status display. Then there's the Smart EQ Control App that replaces the previews Smart Control app, which enables the driver to access certain features via a smartphone, tablet, or PC.
Tbe new Smart EQ control app combines numerous items of car-related information, such as the current charge level, the control of the pre-entry climate control and charge management, and displays the corresponding information in personalized form.
*** A new feature is the 22 kW on‑board charger with fast charging function ***
Another new feature is the 22 kW on‑board charger with fast charging function, which permits three-phase charging at public charging stations or at a wallbox. The high-voltage battery is charged from 10 to 80 percent in under 40 minutes, so it makes living with an electric car much easier. Smart doesn't provide additional information, but it said that the on-board charger will be available from May 2018 and will cost €840 as an option.
The Nightsky Edition gets a few extra features as well, with the most visible being the Pacific Blue details on the instrument cluster hood, the A/C vents, and the floor mats, which also have blue "nightsky" lettering. Smart also offers a Brabus Interior Style package with bespoke gearshift and handbrake levels, Brabus door sills, and sports pedals. The Comfort package comes standard too, adding a height adjustable driver's seat, electrically adjustable mirrors, and an adjustable steering column. There's also a lockable glove compartment.
Smart ForTwo EQ Drivetrain
- Not much data yet
- Likely to use 30 kWh battery
- At least 99 miles of range
- "Ready to" program for sharing and rental
*** The city car could get the drivetrain in the Vision EQ ForTwo concept, with uses a 30-kWh lithium-ion battery ***
Smart had nothing to say about the drivetrain of the EQ ForTwo. It may have something to do with the fact that it won't go into production until later this year, but it's still somewhat awkward that the Germans are keeping the details in the vault.
I'm tempted to say that the city car will get the drivetrain in the Vision EQ ForTwo concept, with uses a 30-kWh lithium-ion battery. If this happens, the EQ ForTwo should provide more power and range compared to the existing ForTwo Electric Drive, which has a 17.2-kWh battery. On the other hand, I wouldn't be surprised to see Electric Drive's drivetrain carry over to the EQ ForTwo.
The electric motor pumps out 80 horsepower and 118 pound-feet of torque in this configuration. It might not sound like much compared to other EVs on the market, but it's pretty good given the size of the car. Not to mention that its the second most-powerful Smart drivetrain, being surpassed only by the 90-horsepower, 0.9-liter gasoline version. It's also the torquiest ForTwo in the current lineup.
*** Smart is aiming to establish the EQ ForTwo as a ride-sharing and rental vehicle through its "ready to" mobility program ***
Charging from 0 to 60 mph doesn't happen too fast at more than 10 seconds, while top speed is limited to 81 mph in order to maximize range. Speaking of which, the Electric Drive's range is rated at 99 on a single charge. Should Smart use a bigger battery, expect it to jump beyond the 100-mile mark.
But truth be told, the EQ ForTwo doesn't need the range of the Chevrolet Bolt. Designed for short trips in the city, its 99-mile range should work just fine given there are a few charging stations available. Also, Smart is actually aiming to establish the EQ ForTwo as a ride-sharing and rental vehicle through its "ready to" mobility program.
In addition to the Smart "ready to share" private car sharing function, this new service strategy already includes the "ready to rent" hire concept, the "ready to drop" and "ready to drop+" in-car delivery services, as well as the"ready to park+" parking space service.
Smart ForTwo EQ Prices
European pricing for the EQ ForTwo starts from €28,255 for the coupe model and from €31,515 for the cabriolet version. The on-board charger costs an additional €840, while the "ready to" package costs €199. The Cool & Audi bundle adds another €100 if you buy it in conjunction with the latter. Add all of the above and the EQ ForTwo coupe retails from €29,394. Pricing for the U.S. market is not yet available.
Smart ForTwo EQ Competition
Chevrolet Bolt
Chevrolet has turned theory into reality with the Bolt. The Bolt is an all-electric city car with a usable range of 238 miles on a single change of its 60-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Better yet, the car can carry five people and their stuff thanks to its hatchback design. A glass cockpit has a handsome 10.2-inch infotainment system and a 8.0-inch digital gauge cluster as standard equipment. Techie features include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot.
Of course, the Bolt does not drive itself and takes up more real estate to park. Smart should be commended for shooting for the stars, but the Chevy Bolt is certainly respectable for actually delivering an affordable city car with a descent range. The Bolts actual downfall is its charge times. On a standard 110-volt outlet, the car needs upwards of 30 hours! A Level 2 charger with 240 volts drops the time to 10 hours. General Motors is building a nationwide charging network much like Tesla’s Supercharger system.
As for price, the 2018 Chevy Bolt starts at $37,495 for the LT trim, while the up-level Premier starts at $42,780 – both before any tax incentives or rebates. That’s a comparable price to the new Tesla Model 3, though Bolts are far easier to find and purchase at this point.
Read our full review on the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt.
BMW i3
As practical as the Chevy Bolt is, the BMW i3 is a bit more fanciful and whimsical with a dash of new-age automotive technology sprinkled in. The car is built using carbon fiber and high-strength steel to keep weight down, it used rather skinny tires (that are slightly wider for 2018) and is small enough to park anywhere a Chevy Bolt could fit. The interior is a swanky place with a Zen-inspired feel. Wood and metal accents counter the interior’s base black color.
The i3 comes in two versions: the fully electric i3 and the range extender with the gasoline three-cylinder. Technically speaking, the range extender gives the car an limited range with typical stops at a gas station, but the all-electric i3 is both cheaper and more in line with the Bolt and Smart ForTwo EQ. It offers 114 miles of range on a charge and only takes 30 minutes to recharge up to 80 percent on a Level 3 DC 50-kW charger. On a Level 2 charger, the i3 will recharge roughly 26 miles per every hour its plugged in. The standard 110-volt outlet will charge it three to four miles every hour.
Pricing for the 2018 BMW i3 starts at $44,450. Opting for the range extender model pushed the base price to $48,300. BMW also offs an i3s model with a bit more power. It starts at $47,650 and $51,500 for the range extender.
Read our full review on the 2018 BMW i3.
Conclusion
Well, the EQ ForTwo is somewhat disappointing, especially if we factor in the concept car that announced Smart's inclusion in Mercedes' new family of EQ-badged all-electric cars. I won't lie, I expected a brand-new model with a more outlandish design and it's a bit annoying to see that the company's first production model to wear the EQ badge is actually already a couple of years old. On the other hand, it makes sense for Smart to keep selling the current model, which is still fresh, with a new badge for a few more years. But we still need to find out more about the drivetrain in order to draw a proper conclusion. But regardless of that, the Smart EQ ForTwo has the potential to greatly change the landscape of automotive usage and ownership. It's a hard nut to crack, but the new "ready to" program and the upcoming over-the-air updates should make a difference.
References
Read our full review on the 2017 Smart Vision EQ Fortwo Concept.
Read our full review on the 2017 Smart ForTwo.
Read more Geneva Motor Show news.