Mercedes benz Smart. Are Smart Cars Safe

Are Smart Cars Safe?

Smart Cars gained popularity in the New Jersey and New York areas during the height of the economic downturn between 2008 and 2010. Gas throughout this metropolitan region were breaking records as they climbed past the 5 per gallon mark at some stations.

Tri-State area drivers looking for some economic relief wanted something smarter.

Enter: Smart, a Safe Small Car from a Luxury Name

In 2011, Mercedes-Benz USA began distributing the Smart brand of ultra-compact vehicles. The Smart car was economically priced, offering a three-cylinder engine peppy enough to traverse the onramps of the tri-state area, yet efficient enough to allow drivers to pass the pump a little more often than they could in the past.

Drivers were headed to their NJ Smart dealerships and taking to the asphalt. For the first time, Smart cars were on the road in masses and turning heads along NJ and NY highways.

Small and Economic Cars, Making for a Great Fleet Option

As fuel began to decrease, consumer demand for the little Smart car began to cool, as well. Smart car usage shifted from being considered simply one of the best commuter cars in NJ, to one of the best delivery vehicles. Smart cars quickly became a great option for businesses in need of compact and fuel-efficient fleet vehicles.

Because of the size of the vehicle, Smart cars are relatively inexpensive to wrap with your branded message. They are fuel efficient, and the new lineup of Smart cars is 100% electric, making them a great choice for anyone looking to cut the (gas) hose.

So, How Safe are Smart Cars?

No matter what your reason for looking at a Smart car, there is always one burning question when anyone walks into a Smart car dealership – are these small cars safe?

The answer is a definitive, YES. Smart cars are safe, and here’s why.

Smart cars have a Tridion safety cell. a structure that surrounds the vehicles’ occupants and acts as a strong protective cage, preventing any distortions and keeping those inside intact in the event of an accident.

We know it’s hard to believe that this little car can keep you safe and sound on hectic NJ roadways, but it can, and the Smart car should be an option on your list. You don’t judge a book by its cover, and in the age of technological advancements, you should never judge a vehicle’s ability to keep you safe by its size.

Still concerned about Smart car safety? Watch the Smart car crash test results video below. We think the impressive safety rating just might convince you!

Visit Your Local Smart Car Dealership

Whether you’re looking for a reliable commuter car in NJ or require a fleet of cost-effective, eye-catching vehicles that market your business to potential customers on the road, Smart cars tick most of the boxes.

Benzel-Busch Motor Cars is an authorized Smart car dealership and service center, servicing Smart car owners in NY and NJ. Our Smart car consultants can answer any of your questions and help get you where you need to go.

Looking for a safe electric car in NJ? Come see our inventory of the latest all-electric vehicle, Smart cars, or dial 201-740-5012 to speak directly with one of our consultants today.

Death of the Smart Car: Mercedes Will Halt Sales of the Tiny Auto

Mercedes-Benz dealers just got the news that after 2019 there will be no more Smart cars sold in North America.

The quirky, euro-styled city car that first hit our shores in 2008, to great acclaim, will be sold here no more. That first year saw 25,000 Smart cars roll off dealer lots in the U.S. In 2018, only 1,276 managed to find buyers.

That sharp sales decline can be attributed to many factors. But the real sales slump came after it was announced in 2017 that only the plug-in electric ForTwo model would be sold in North America. The gas-powered ForTwo had made up a large percentage of sales up until that point.

Death of the Smart Car

“After much careful consideration, Smart will discontinue its battery-electric Smart EQ ForTwo model in the U.S. and Canadian markets at the conclusion of [model year] 2019. A number of factors, including a declining micro-car market in the U.S. and Canada, combined with high homologation costs for a low-volume model are central to this decision,” said Rob Moran, Mercedes-Benz USA spokesman, in a statement.

Smart is owned by Daimler, the parent company to Mercedes-Benz. Select Mercedes dealers in North America have sold Smart cars since their introduction to the market.

A Smart Opportunity?

The all-electric Smart ForTwo is still available at U.S. dealers. Mercedes is also still committed to supplying service and parts for all Smart cars sold. So is it worth looking into buying one?

You can still pick one up for a starting price of 25,390. We’d wager that values will dip soon as dealers start offloading their remaining inventory. There are also some big federal and state rebate incentives to be had. All of that adds up to a reasonable value proposition if you’re in the market for a tiny city car.

You can buy the Smart ForTwo in both coupe and convertible models. Both models come with four wheels and two seats, hence the ForTwo name.

Remember that the ForTwo is plug-in electric only. It offers an 80hp electric motor, which is actually fun to drive. The rough part for many is that it only gets an EPA-rated 58-mile range on one charge.

The EQ Badge Lives On

While the current model year Smart ForTwo carries the new Mercedes EQ badging, it hasn’t seemed to help sales. Mercedes will be bringing the North American market the EQC electric SUV in 2020. The EQC will be the first in the Mercedes-branded EQ electric vehicle portfolio. It should be a better fit for the current U.S. consumer, as SUVs are hot right now.

Meet Smart #1 — Mercedes just reinvented the Smart car as an electric SUV

The Smart #1 sounds great, so why isn’t it coming to the US?

Remember the Smart car? Those tiny little city cars that could just about fit two people and not much else. The brand never really died, but it looks like a renaissance may be on the cards. Like so many others the brand has embraced electrification for a brand new battery-powered vehicle.

Mercedes-Benz has joined forces with Chinese manufacturing giant Geely to create this, the Smart #1. It’s a fully electric crossover SUV that retains the essence of Smart’s creative edge and nous for innovation, but plants it on a dedicated Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) platform.

The end result is every bit as quirky as Smart’s previous Fourtwo and Forfour offerings, but annoyingly it’s not going to be on sale in the United States.

Mercedes pulled the plug on selling Smart cars in the U.S. back in 2019, but this new model looks like the perfect excuse for putting that plug back in and making it available to U.S. car buyers.

Smart #1: Made for families

Why? Well, it’s got everything a typical family could want, especially if they’re looking for their first fully electric car. If ample space is at the top of the wish list, the Smart #1 has you covered.

The car is roomy inside with a sizable 108.2-inches between the axles. Those chunky 19-inch wheels are pushed out to the corners of the car, and that means lots of room for passengers and luggage.

There are four doors, a trunk and a tiny frunk under the hood, with an interior that is tailor-made for keeping occupants, er, occupied. In terms of numbers, it’s 168.1-inches long, which means the #1 is slightly bigger than a Kia Soul, with a high roof that helps boost the feeling of inner space.

In fact, the 67-inches of height and 75.1-inch width means the overall effect is enormous compared to those old Smart cars.

Smart #1: Design and interior

The exterior styling is sleek, smooth and nicely rounded in all the right places. Triangular-style lights, with a central section that joins both sides together dominate the front and the rear end. Smart executives at the unveiling event in Berlin underlined how this design theme may well be an integral part of future EV models. Thanks to the flexibility of the SEA architecture these could end up being bigger, or smaller cars.

While additional design flourishes include recessed door handles and a ‘floating’ roof, the whole thing plays off even better thanks to the dual tone color scheme. Having the main body in one color and that funky roof, with a panoramic glass insert on some models, makes the Smart #1 really stand out from the crowd.

We had a poke around the inside of the Smart #1 too, since that’s where the really good stuff lives.

The interior is plush without being ostentatious, and there’s a nod to doing the right thing with vegan interior trim options on the extras menu. It’s a nice place to be. There’s a strong Smart design ethos going on inside too, with complimentary ambient lighting that features a range of 64 colors and 20 different illumination levels

Smart #1: Tech features

The best of the good stuff is up front, with a sweeping dashboard, lots of neat little chrome vent touches and a clever use of complimentary trim colors.

There’s a 9.2-inch screen, which sits in front of the driver, while a 10-inch head-up display supplements that. Meanwhile, a central 12.8-inch touchscreen acts as home to all of the infotainment options and carries the bulk of the in-car controls.

We really liked the look of setup, with its fun and funky approach further complimenting the Smart vibe. Customers will be able to enjoy typically Smart tech that comes as part of the collaboration with Geely too, which includes voice controls enhanced by AI and phone-as-a-key convenience. A raft of driver assist options and over-the-air updates helps bolster the appeal.

The central floating-style console is interesting and packs in plenty of quirky little storage bins, which is a must-have inclusion on a family-focused car. Out back, the rear seating offers a plentiful supply of space, with the option to move them backwards and forwards as well.

Seats can be reclined to boost the trunk space, and this combination will also be handy for families who have to squeeze in strollers and kids’ bikes on a regular basis.

Smart #1: Range and performance

Admittedly, the Smart #1 probably isn’t going to set the world on fire in terms of performance, but it’s not really that kind of car. There’s a 66-kilowatt-hour battery pack, single electric motor and rear-wheel drive. A decent enough 269 horsepower and 253 pound-feet of torque should send it down the road quite nicely, while the top speed is 112 mph.

In terms or range, Smart is putting the #1 at around the 273-mile mark, which is more than enough for most needs. There’s been a concerted effort to make the car quick and easy to charge too, with 10 to 80 percent being achievable in a little under 30 minutes when connected to a DC Rapid charging station.

Smart #1 outlook

All in all it seems such a shame that the Smart #1 will not make it to the US, despite those heavyweight connections it has at Mercedes-Benz and Geely. We live in hope though. In the meantime, this vehicle should start appearing in the U.K. and Europe towards the end of 2022.

Smart EQ- all-electric Two-seater Car By Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz is a German luxury and commercial vehicle automotive brand founded in 1926 and headquartered in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. For the last 96 years, this German brand has delivered high-class cars in all luxury variants like sedans, sports, etc, and in the year 2022, as the world moves towards EVs, the brand has kept in mind the needs and demands of its customers.

Mercedes-Benz Has brought a mini car called Smart EQ.

The Smart EQ will be a budget electric car from Mercedes Benz which is a 2-person personal vehicle that can be used to drive in congested areas, compatible with places to park in small spaces, and most importantly, it’s an EV so there are no fossil fuel emissions.

Smart EQ Range

This Mercedes model may be smaller in size but it has an average range of 135 km on a single charge. This EV produces 160Nm of torque and produces 80bhp of power with 60kW of motor capacity.

Smart EQ Battery and Top Speed

With so much power and capability, this EV can reach a top speed of 130 km/h on a smooth non-traffic path carrying two people inside. It has a battery capacity of 17.6 kWh lithium-ion battery which gives time to deliver enough power and performance that the company claims. You can charge with both AC and DC chargers.

Smart EQ Price and Availability

This vehicle has been in the market before Covid19 but only in the European and American markets, but will soon be launched in South Asian countries as well. Depending on the government subsidy, this EV will cost around 15 to 20 lakhs in India and 25,638 in Europe and America.

Smart EQ Specification

All-new Smart #1 successfully completed stringent pre-market tests

Leinfelden-Echterdingen, February 10, 2022. With the renewal of its brand, product and business model, Smart has entered a new era of development. As a premium all-electric automotive technology brand, Smart is expanding its product portfolio and has officially unveiled the nomenclature for its new generation of vehicles.

As the first production model in the family, the all-new Smart #1 recently completed a series of aerodynamic and winter tests. The model’s quality, performance and reliability demonstrate the power of seamless cooperation between Mercedes-Benz global design team and Smart’s engineering department, which bodes well for the highly anticipated model launch later this year.

Born to be a Trendsetter

With combination of the “#” symbol followed by a number, Smart has defined a recognizable family name for its new generation of all-electric vehicles. Now often used to indicate the hottest topics in social media, the “#” symbol is evocative of trendsetting in the digital era. fitting, because ever since its first production car unveiling at IAA in 1997, Smart has been striving for innovation and remained a trendsetter in the automotive industry.

According to Mr. Daniel Lescow, Vice President of Global Sales, Marketing and After-Sales of Smart Automobile Co., Ltd., “As the first product set to launch following the brand’s renewal, the Smart #1 perfectly combines electric-drive technology and premium quality. I am convinced that the Smart #1 will enthuse future customers in both China and Europe, setting new trends of urban mobility and co-creating powerful brand experiences wherever it will make an appearance.”

Designed by Mercedes-Benz: A Perfect Blend of Aesthetics Aerodynamics

The China Automotive Engineering Research Institute in Chongqing features the country’s most advanced automobile aerodynamics testing center and one of the world’s forefront. Here, the Smart #1 measured a drag coefficient performance of just 0.29, a top-ranked achievement, especially when compared side by side with SUV competitors in the same segment.

This is especially important, as the drag coefficient is the core factor influencing a vehicle’s energy consumption, range, wind noise and stability at high speed. Thanks to the “Sensual Producty” design philosophy applied by Mercedes-Benz global design team, the Smart #1 features a pure and elegant streamlined exterior, a perfect balance of aesthetics and aerodynamics. The concealed door handles, the highly effective aerodynamics package, as well as the AGS (Active Grille Shutter) which is equipped as standard, all contribute to elevate aerodynamic performance. Wind resistance and noise have been significantly optimized, contributing to greater energy efficiency, comfort and driving range.

No fear of ice and snow: Uncompromising Urban Companion

In the far north of China, at one of the world’s coldest testing grounds and in temperatures around.40 ℃, the Smart #1 showed excellent resistance to extreme cold. The advanced battery temperature control system maintains the optimum working condition for the battery. In addition, customers can pre-set their driving schedule via the Smart APP or vehicle control panel of the Smart #1, in order to automatically pre-heat the battery and ensuring optimized charging and output efficiency. Meanwhile, the vehicle’s concealed door handles are equipped with ice breaking functions, working normally even when the car is covered with a thin layer of ice.

The Smart #1 also underwent complex snow and ice road testing at the site, in conditions similar to daily winter urban driving. With a robust ESP system supported by Bosch and the all-electric powertrain, the vehicle combines outstanding driving comfort, handling stability, acceleration and braking performance, thus providing driving safety and pleasure. Even in the coldest weather, the all-new Smart #1 will remain an uncompromising urban companion for its users.

Mr. Yang Jun, Vice President of Research and Development of Smart Automobile Co., Ltd. said, “Thanks to the seamless cooperation between Smart and the Mercedes-Benz design team, the Smart #1 is a masterpiece of engineering. The pre-market test results also prove the outstanding quality, performance and reliability of the Smart #1. With the car due to launch later this year, these developments make us confident that it will be well received by its future customers.“

In the digital age, the renewed Smart brand remains committed to its vision of exploring the best solutions for future urban mobility and co-creating with avant-garde spirited. With Mercedes–Benz design and Smart engineering, the all-new Smart #1 perfectly encapsulates the Smart’s purpose. to design a smarter future, together.

Press contact:

Steven PeddieHead of Public Relations and Communications Smart Europe GmbHEmail: eu.communications@Smart.com