The Herald - The Herald Magazine
EQ shows off smart thinking
THE new smart EQ range is now on sale. The electric drive features an 82hp electric motor powering the rear wheels via a single-speed gearbox. All models have a range of around 70 miles, while the maximum speed is electronically limited to 81 mph.
The 96-cell lithium-ion battery is coupled with a – now standard – 22kW on-board charger, meaning charging can take less than 40 minutes (from 10 to 80% charge) using a rapid charger, and can be charged in less than six hours using a home wall box.
The new range features a re-designed exterior with new front bumper and grille painted in body panel colour and new halogen headlights with LED daytime running lights and new halogen taillights.
There are four model lines available; passion advanced, pulse premium, prime exclusive and the edition 1.
Prices start from £16,850 for the fortwo coupé (including PICG grant of £3,500; total price £20,350 excluding grant). The forfour is priced from £17,285 (£20,785 excluding grant), and the unique fortwo cabriolet starts at £20,420 (£23,920 excluding grant).
Standard specification on all models include multifunction leather steering wheel, rear parking sensors, smart media system (navigation, seven-inch touchscreen, charging station finder, Bluetooth, automatic climate control, DAB, Android Auto and Mirrorlink), acoustic presence indicator and comfort package.
The passion advanced is available on both the fortwo coupé (£16,850 including PICG) and forfour (£17,285 including PICG), and comes with 15-inch alloy wheels in a fourspoke design painted black with a high-sheen finish and upholstery in black fabric with double-stitching in white.
The pulse premium has 16-inch five-twinspoke alloys, brushed stainless steel sports pedals with rubber studs, a storage net on the centre console and rear view camera. Coupé and forfour models come with a panoramic roof and sunblind, while the cabriolet comes with a draft stop.
The prime exclusive models feature
16-inch eight-Y-spoke alloys, full-LED headlights (for the first time on smart), ambient lighting; automatically dimming interior mirror and heated seats for driver and passenger.