Thirty years ago, Smart introduced its first model, later known as the Fortwo. The iconic two-seater city car was discontinued in 2024, but it finally got a direct successor with the all-new Smart #2.

The production version of the EV debuted at the Paris Motor Show, six months after the Smart Concept #2. Visually, it looks like an evolution of the Fortwo, with modern details that have been toned down compared to the concept car.

More: Smart Thinks Its E-Class-Sized Sedan Looks Like A Shark, And Stands By It

Changes include the redesigned graphics on the aggressive headlights and the round taillights, the smaller alloy wheels, the conventional door handles, and the simplified bumpers. The shut line of the hood has been moved higher on the nose, while the side intakes on the front bumper are doing without the fancy pixel screens. Other highlights include the body-colored mesh on the grille, the floating roof, the frameless windows, and the traditional split tailgate.

Smart #2 Couture Edition

The lineup includes the Pure, Pure+, and Premium trims. Smart has also unveiled the concept-inspired #2 Couture Edition which is limited to 999 units in Europe. This one is distinguished by the special grille cover that looks like a Luis Vuitton bag, and the aero extensions on the front and rear bumpers. The body is painted in Atelier White Matte with a Platinum Gold roof, and rides on 16-inch Lyra wheels with gold accents.

The Smart #2 is a pint-sized EV measuring 2,746 mm (108.1 in) long, with the Couture Edition adding an extra 18 mm (0.7 in) due to the bumper add-ons. Still, the new model is 51 mm (2 in) longer than the last Fortwo, and a full 246 mm (9.7 in) longer than the original Smart from the late ’90s. Despite the extra length, the company was able to retain the 6.95 m (22.8 foot) curb-to-curb turning radius of the original.

Well-Equipped Two-Seater Cabin

Smart #2 Premium

Inside, the dashboard has a simple layout with round climate vents, a standard 10.1-inch infotainment display, an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, a special mounting base for gadgets, and a three-spoke steering wheel with integrated buttons. Smart claims that the cabin is “spacious and practical”, with bench-style seats and a cargo capacity of 305 lt (10.8 cubic feet).

More: You Can Buy A Used Mansory Smart With Less Power Than A Base Corolla For Just $80,000

Equipment is generous, especially in the flagship Premium which comes standard with a glass roof, heated seats, faux leather upholstery, and a seven-speaker Sennheiser Sound System.

Advanced Underpinnings

The Smart #2 might have been designed by Mercedes, but it rides on the bespoke Electric Compact Architecture (ECA) engineered by Chinese automaker Geely.

The EV is powered by a rear-mounted electric motor producing 81 hp (60 kW / 82 PS) and 130 Nm (95.9 lb-ft) of torque. More importantly, the 35.8 kWh LFP battery pack offers a WLTP range of 290 km (180 miles), which is more than double the 135 km (84-mile) range of the EQ Fortwo. The battery is compatible with 65 kW DC fast charging, going from 10-80% in 20 minutes, and supports V2L.

Despite its urban focus, the company gave emphasis on driving dynamics, with wider tracks, a low-center of gravity, and a five-link rear suspension which is unique to the segment. Smart also went big on safety, with a new version of the signature Tridion Cell Evo structure, and loads of ADAS including Pilot Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Detection, Rear Collision Mitigation, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

Smart #2 Premium

Dr. Tilo Schweers, Vice President R&D Europe of smart Europe GmbH, said: “Getting the balance right in a car this compact meant tuning every detail, from chassis hard points and steering ratio to the right tyre compound for both city streets and open highways. We tested the smart #2 on proving grounds, in wind tunnels, and on public roads across different climates, because confidence behind the wheel must hold up in the real world, not just on paper.”

More: Can Pixels Beat Nostalgia? We Compared Nissan’s New Sub-€20k EV To Its Renault Twin Up Close

Smart has yet to reveal pricing, but Autocar reports the #2 will start at £17,900 ($23,700) in the UK. Since the Smart #2 is far more sophisticated compared to two-seater heavy quadricycles like the Citroen Ami and Fiat Topolino, rivals include four-seater urban EVs such as the Renault Twingo E-Tech, Nissan Pixo, Dacia Spring EV, and the upcoming VW ID. Up!.

Besides Europe and the UK, the Smart #2 will also go on sale in other markets including China.

Mercedes’ electric vehicle push has been a disaster in the United States as Americans never warmed up to the EQE, EQS, or their crossover counterparts. The company appears ready to admit defeat as several models are reportedly going away for 2027.

Citing a company spokesperson, Car & Driver is reporting the EQE and AMG EQE are dead. The EQE 320+ started at $64,950 and offered 315 hp (235 kW / 319 PS) as well as an electric-only range of up to 308 miles (496 km).

More: Mercedes’ New E-Class Electric Is Washing Bad Memories Of The Soap-Bar EQE Clean Away

Likewise, the $96,600 AMG EQE had a dual-motor all-wheel drive system developing up to 677 hp (505 kW / 686 PS) when the boost function was activated. This enabled the model to hit 60 mph (96 km/h) in 3.2 seconds, but it dropped the range to a disappointing 230 miles (370 km).

While the EQE is going away, the company is working on an all-new E-Class Electric. It features a more conventional design that follows in the footsteps of the fully electric C-Class.

Speaking of dead EVs, the Mercedes-Maybach EQS 680 SUV is toast. The model started at $180,000 and featured a dual-motor all-wheel drive system developing 649 hp(484 kW / 658 PS) and 700 lb-ft (948 Nm) of torque. They were fed by a 118 kWh battery pack, which provided 300 miles (483 km) of range.

Last but not least, the Mercedes-AMG S63 E Performance is gone for 2027. The pricey plug-in hybrid produced 791 hp (590 kW / 802 PS) and 1,055 lb-ft (1,430 Nm) of torque, but the company recently introduced a facelifted S-Class.

This means we can expect a new AMG variant in the near future. Car & Driver suggests the model will arrive in around a year and ditch the plug-in hybrid technology for pure V8 power.

For more than a decade, Mercedes-Benz has worked with Taiwanese energy company ProLogium to help bring advanced solid-state battery technology to the auto industry. The two firms have now strengthened their partnership, meaning Mercedes will get priority access to test the firm’s fourth-generation cells, which could help to reshape the automotive industry.

Solid-state batteries have long been viewed as the holy grail of battery tech. By replacing the liquid electrolytes of traditional lithium-ion batteries with non-flammable solid materials, these batteries offer higher energy density, support faster charging, are safer, and last longer.

Read: Geely’s New Solid-State Battery Lasts 621,000 Miles And Starts Pilot Testing Next Year

Mercedes-Benz, much like BYD, Toyota, Nissan, Honda, VW, Stellantis, Chery, and others, is actively developing and testing these batteries for its next generation of EVs. Some may be ready to hit the market within the next 12 months.

Through its deal with ProLogium, Mercedes-Benz will perform electrical, thermal, and safety testing on the company’s Gen4 lithium ceramic battery cells at its facilities and at third-party testing institutes. These batteries use ceramic separator technology and have a non-flammable inorganic electrolyte, which is said to enable not only fast charging but also high power output.

“At Mercedes-Benz, we are committed to shaping the future of electric mobility through technological leadership and innovation,” Mercedes-Benz Group AG member of the Board of Management, Jörg Burzer, said. “Our long-standing partnership with ProLogium is a strong example of how we bring the best expertise together to advance next-generation battery technologies. By combining ProLogium’s pioneering solid-state battery approach with Mercedes-Benz’s deep battery development, testing and integration capabilities, we are taking the next step in exploring advanced battery technologies for future electric vehicles.”

Solid-State Battery Production Is Coming To Europe

ProLogium already operates a large battery factory in Taiwan and is planning a site in Dunkirk, France, with a capacity of up to 44 GWh. It says this factory will allow it to provide cells to customers across the continent, including Mercedes.

The German brand has another important solid-state battery partner. In addition to working alongside ProLogium, Mercedes-Benz is also testing lithium-metal battery cells from American company Factorial Energy.

Last year, a Mercedes-Benz EQS equipped with one of Factorial’s solid-state battery packs was driven 748.8 miles (1,205 km) on a single charge. It could have been driven even further, as Mercedes says the EQS finished the test with an estimated range of 85 miles (137 km) left.

Mercedes-AMG is almost ready to expand its lineup with its first dedicated electric SUV. Shortly after the automaker shared official teasers, our spy photographers caught a prototype wearing significantly less camouflage.

The SUV, codenamed X591, is the high-riding sibling of the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe. Even under the remaining camo, the aggressive styling is evident, with an aerodynamic roofline and muscular shoulders making it look like a hybrid between a coupe-SUV and sporty estate.

More: The Mercedes-AMG CLE 646 Will Demolish An M4, But You Can’t Buy One

The latest prototype gives us an unobstructed view of its greenhouse. The AMG will also stand out thanks to its unique lighting signature with Y-shaped LEDs up front, an oversized front grille, and round taillights. The latter are probably becoming a trademark AMG choice for its latest standalone models.

Another cool detail is the black alloy wheels featuring five double spokes in front of massive brake discs with yellow brake calipers. Inside, we expect a screen-heavy setup similar to the coupe, paired with more space for passengers and their luggage.

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The fully electric model rides on the dedicated AMG.EA platform using an 800-volt system. It will use the advanced Yasa-developed axial-flux electric motors and F1-inspired battery technology with direct liquid cell cooling.

More: 1,153 HP Not Enough? Mercedes-AMG Is Working On An Even Hotter GT 4-Door

Judging from the AMG 4-Door Coupe, the flagship tri-motor setup could produce up to 1,153 hp (860 kW / 1,169 PS) and 2,000 Nm (1,475 lb-ft) of torque, allowing a 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in around 2.5 seconds. AMG could also offer a dual-motor variant with 805 hp (600 kW / 816 PS) and 1,800 Nm (1,328 lb-ft) of torque.

Despite being an EV, the new model will sound and feel like an ICE-powered AMG thanks to the AMGFORCE S+ system. This includes fake but highly detailed V8 sounds emitted from internal and external speakers, and simulated gearshifts.

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The high-riding model is expected to inherit the 106 kWh battery from the 4-Door Coupe, supporting ultra-fast DC charging speeds of up to 600 kW. This will allow it to replenish around 460 km (286 miles) of range in 10 minutes of charging.

More: AMG GT Black Series Looks Like It’s Smashed The Ring Record Before It’s Even Hit The Track

Finally, it will come equipped with the latest chassis tech, including an AMG Active Ride Control air suspension with semi-active roll stabilization, and a rear-axle steering system, which is visible on the spy shots.

The official debut of the new AMG model is scheduled for October 17. The event will take place at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, coinciding with the 140th anniversary of Karl Benz patenting the first automobile.

Mercedes-AMG

Just a few short months after Mercedes-AMG got the world talking with its insane all-electric GT 4-Door, it’s gearing up to release a high-powered SUV, and there’s no combustion engine in sight.

AMG has been working on the electric SUV for more than two years, and it’s now expected to debut on October 17 during a special 140^th anniversary celebration at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart. Following the premiere, Mercedes will kick off production later this year, and the first customer deliveries will take place in early 2027.

Read: Mercedes’ CEO Says A Fake V8 Made Him Feel ‘Like A Born-Again Christian’

Recent teaser images from Mercedes-AMG have given us an idea of what to expect from the new model. There are very few, if any, current Mercedes-Benz models we’d consider to be ‘beautiful,’ and unfortunately, it seems the new AMG SUV will be one of the …most polarizing. It’ll certainly make an impression, however.

The front will be dominated by a gargantuan grille, similar to the one found in the GT 4-Door. Eye-catching LED daytime running lights, a shapely bumper, and an overall coupe-like SUV shape are in the mix. As for the rear, teaser images released last month showcased it with two small circular LEDs and star-shaped graphics.

Regardless of how the new Mercedes-AMG SUV ends up looking, it’ll be impossible to ignore the performance levels it offers.

Hypercar Power

Power is expected to come from a 106 kWh battery pack and three advanced, axial-flux motors. All up, the flagship version is expected to deliver the same 1,153 hp and 1,475 lb-ft (2,000 Nm) of torque as the sedan. This should mean a 0-62 mph (100 km/h) sprint time of around 2.5 seconds, making it quicker than something like the Lucid Gravity GT-S, which needs over 3 seconds to hit the same mark.

Of course, buyers without the need for hypercar-level performance won’t be forgotten about, as Mercedes-AMG is also expected to offer models producing roughly 536 hp in GT 53 guise and about 805 hp in a mid-range GT 55 version.

Mercedes pulled the covers off its first-ever electric C-Class sedan back in April, but so far we’ve only seen one flavor. That was the C 400 4Matic electric, a bi-motor, all-wheel-drive version of the compact luxury car. Now it’s joined by a more affordable C 300, but the specs are so close it feels like one of those cars is pointless. But which one?

First, let’s quickly recap the C 400 specs. It makes 482 hp (490 PS / 360 kW), gets to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 4.0 seconds, can charge at 330 kW, and claims a 473-mile (762 km) range from a 94 kWh (usable) battery.

Related: The Mercedes-AMG CLE 646 Will Demolish An M4, But You Can’t Buy One

Now the C 300. You still get two electric motors and all-wheel drive, plus the same 590 lb-ft (800 Nm) of torque. But output falls to 416 hp (422 PS / 310 kW) and the 62 mph trip takes 4.5 seconds, so half a second longer. That’s still plenty of power and performance though, and even the range holds its own, despite a drop in battery capacity to 85 kWh.

180 Miles Added In A Bathroom Break

Mercedes says it’ll manage 429 miles (690 km), and while the max charge rate is slightly slower, from 330 to 320 kW, the C 300’s ability to add 180 miles (290 km) of range in 10 minutes isn’t that far off the 202 miles (325 km) the C 400 gains in the same time.

If you want that plush air-spring ride, a passenger-side screen, and more than 18 inches of wheel, you’ll have to hit the options list in both cars, so there’s no big difference in spec that we can see. But in Germany, where C-Class electric prices have been announced, the C 300’s €62,951 ($72,700) sticker saves you €4,760 ($5,500) versus going for the €67,711 ($78,200) C 400. In the US, the C 400 is expected to cost around $65,000.

Worth The Premium?

The C 400 pulls rank in every key area, but to be honest, we’re surprised how close the C 300 gets. It’s still brisk, still has a really usable electric range, and also the security of all-wheel drive. For plenty of buyers who can look past the kudos of the C 400’s badge, the C 300 looks like the better value option.

But that’s not the end of the C-Class electric story. Mercedes says even more affordable single-motor, rear-wheel-drive cars will follow, and at the other end of the spectrum, AMG is working on a tri-motor rival for BMW’s electric M3 with at least 671 hp (680 PS / 500 kW). Which would you pick – C 300 or C 400?

Mercedes

Mercedes’ EQE was a flop, lasting just four model years in the US. Its battery tech was outdated, and the melted soap-bar styling certainly didn’t help. Now, as the EQE bows out, Mercedes is preparing its replacement, and these new revealing spy shots suggest the E-Class Electric has learned a valuable lesson. Turns out a battery-powered sedan can actually look like a regular sedan, and be all the better for it.

The latest prototype has ditched much of the heavy camouflage we saw when we last caught an E-Class Electric testing in January. We’ve got our first proper look at the production headlights, which reveals a pair of Mercedes’ star-shaped daytime running lights in each lamp cluster, ensuring nobody mistakes this thing for a BMW after dark.

Also: Blob Be Gone! The EQE Gives Way To A Proper Sedan

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And though we still can’t see it, we’re expecting Mercedes’ gigantic illuminated grille treatment, already rolled out on its latest electric GLC and C-Class, to feature out front when the EV goes on sale next year. Whether you think it looks reassuringly expensive or as tacky as Times Square squeezed between two headlights, it will certainly give the E-Class Electric some real presence, something the bland EQE always lacked even after its last-ditch facelift.

There’s a surprise at the other end, though. Earlier test cars wore placeholder taillights, and we expected the finished units to continue Mercedes’ current obsession with three-pointed stars. Instead, the production lamps appear to feature straight-line graphics and thankfully no stars at all.

Beneath the skin is Mercedes’ MB.EA architecture already in play with the C-Class Electric and its GLC SUV cousin. Based on what we know of those cars, the E-Class will feature an 800-volt electrical system, and charging speeds reaching 330 kW.

Out-Charges BMW And Audi

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That’s not quite a match for the 400 kW inhalation rate of BMW’s Neue Klasse iX3 and i3, but it easily trumps the 205 kW offered by the Benz’s direct rival, the BMW i5, and the 270 kW of Audi’s A6 e-tron. Both of those cars, though, also offer a wagon body style option the sedan-only E-Class won’t.

A dual-motor E400 version using the C400 4Matic’s setup could deliver 482 hp (489 PS / 360 kW) and a zero-to-62 mph (100 km/h) time of just over 4 seconds, although Mercedes hasn’t confirmed specifications yet. The C400 employs a 94 kWh gross battery to deliver 473 miles (762 km) of claimed WLTP range, and Mercedes might not feel the need to go bigger because the i5’s pack is only 84 kWh gross and promises 356 miles (573 miles).

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We can’t see inside the E-Class Electric in these pictures, but again, the existing EVs have set a precedent we expect Mercedes to keep following. If it does, the mid-size sedan will get a full-pillar-to-pillar digital dashboard in its most luxurious form, though buyers will almost certainly have to pay extra for the passenger screen one recent study told us hardly gets used.

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Another electric AMG is creeping closer to production, and this time it’s literally raised its game. Fresh spy shots of the upcoming AMG C-Class EV have caught its pop-up rear spoiler deployed, giving us another clue about the car Mercedes hopes will keep the electric BMW M3 honest.

The regular electric C-Class debuted in April, but AMG’s version is still undergoing development ahead of an expected 2027 launch. Curiously, this latest prototype is actually more disguised than the one we saw in June, with additional camouflage obscuring the taillights and lower doors, suggesting its an older test car. But at least it forgot to hide the interesting bit.

Related: 2027 Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 EV Debuts With 3 Motors, 671 HP And A Vibrator

SH Proshots

Rising from the trunk lid is the active rear spoiler we’d previously suspected was lurking there. Sources say the AMG will use active aerodynamic hardware to genuinely key the fat tires into the road surface, so the wing isn’t simply an elaborate way of telling everyone you bought the expensive C-Class.

Elsewhere, this prototype wears different wheels from the last one we spied, while the production car is expected to get a more aggressive AMG body kit. Underneath, Mercedes is reportedly developing modified air suspension and rear-wheel steering, with AMG promising an “authentic experience” covering performance, handling and even sound.

Can fake sounds be authentic? The recently revealed electric CLA 45 uses synthesized combustion noises, simulated gearshifts and even active seat shakers to replace some of the sensations EVs normally delete. So we expect similar features in the electric AMG C-Class, and plenty of power to go with them.

778 HP Rumored

SH Proshots

Mercedes hasn’t confirmed the specs of the AMG C-Class, but between what we already know about the CLA 45 and the C400 4MATIC Electric, and rumors coming out of Affalterbach, a Yasa tri-motor setup producing around 778 hp (789 PS / 580 kW) seems likely.

The hot C-Class will need serious muscle simply to outrank the CLA 45, which already produces up to 671 hp (680 PS / 500 kW) from its own three-motor powertrain. The standard C400 4MATIC Electric, meanwhile, has two motors and makes a more modest 482 hp (490 PS / 360 kW). The C400 also supports DC charging at up to 330 kW and can travel up to 473 miles (762 km) on a charge, though the AMG C-Class won’t match those figures if it retains the C400’s 94 kWh battery.

Ultimately, though, AMG’s biggest challenge won’t be beating its little brother. BMW is preparing its first electric M3, meaning two of Germany’s defining performance sedans are heading into the battery era at roughly the same time.

SH Proshots

Battery degradation has long been one of the reasons new car buyers have held out on purchasing an EV. However, data from a new study reveal that the top-performing EVs lose less than 5 percent of their range after 93,205 miles (150,000 km) of driving, meaning battery packs will easily last the average life of most new cars.

The study, published by Aviloo, has been labeled the largest independent study of used EV batteries ever conducted. More than 500,000 battery tests have been published, and the results show how 20 of the industry’s most popular EVs perform.

Read: A Seven-Year-Old Tesla Model 3 Survived 380,000 Miles, Its Range Did Not

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 performed best after 31,068 miles (50,000 km) of testing, retaining 97.1 percent of its original usable capacity. Other strong performers after 31,068 miles included the Mercedes-Benz CLA at 96.6 percent, the Hyundai Kona EV at 96.3 percent, the Audi Q8 e-tron with 95.7 percent, the BMW i4 with 95.6 percent, and both the Volvo XC40 Recharge and VW ID.4 at 95.2 percent battery retention.

After 93,205 miles of driving, the Mercedes-Benz CLA came out on top with a battery health of 94 percent. This placed it ahead of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 (93.6 percent), Hyundai Kona EV (93 percent), Volvo XC40 Recharge (92.8 percent), Ford Mustang Mach-E (92.5 percent), and the Polestar 2, also at 92.5 percent.

Teslas Disappoint

Several popular EVs did not perform as well as the competition. Most notable was the Tesla Model Y, which retained just 90.3 percent of its battery capacity after 93,205 miles, and the Tesla Model 3, which retained 88.9 percent of its battery capacity. Other poor performers included the Renault Zoe (87.3 percent), Mini Cooper SE (87.1 percent), and Nissan Leaf (86.7 percent), all of which have relatively small batteries.

Importantly, the results of this study don’t mean every Mercedes-Benz CLA will have 94 percent battery health after 93,205 miles, or every Peugeot e-208 will have 90.7 percent battery health. The study examined the median across all vehicles and found that good and bad examples of the same car can have battery health ratings that vary by as much as 13.5 percent. Nevertheless, the study demonstrates just how good current EV batteries are.

Earlier this month, Mercedes-AMG set a class lap record for the new electric CLA 45 at the Nürburgring, lapping the circuit in an impressive 7:32.070. With three electric motors and a combined 671 hp and 1,297 lb-ft (1,759 Nm), it’s quite a different proposition than the old one. Mercedes insists it’s still fun, despite the electric shift.

Much like we saw with the all-electric AMG GT 4-Door earlier this year, Mercedes-AMG has tried to capture the essence of its combustion cars in the electric CLA 45. It’s done this by simulating gear shifts and using a soundtrack to simulate the old 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. As recently revealed by Mercedes boss Ola Kallenius, the system can also replicate the sound of a V8.

“When I first drove the CLA 45 with that system, I was like a born-again Christian,” Ola Kallenius told Autocar during a recent interview. “It was the best V8 I’d ever driven: it had all the feeling of a V8 but with more power and torque.”

Read: 2027 Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 EV Debuts With 3 Motors, 671 HP And A Vibrator

Mercedes-AMG made no mention of the CLA 45 reproducing V8 sounds when it unveiled the new car, only noting that it replicated a boosted four-cylinder. Of all the EVs we’ve driven that aim to replicate the sound of a fire-breathing combustion engine, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 N has done the best job, so it’ll be interesting to see how good Mercedes-AMG’s system is.

The Seats Vibrate, Too

One particularly interesting feature launched with the CLA 45 is the new AMGForce shakers. These have been incorporated into the front seats and are designed to deliver vibrations that mimic those of a combustion car. We’re a little doubtful, however, that, no matter how well Mercedes-AMG may have worked on these systems, it cannot possibly have been “the best V8” Kallenius has ever driven.

In the performance stakes, the new electric CLA 45 has all the makings to be thrilling to drive. The automaker says it’ll hit 62 mph (100 km/h) in 3.0 seconds and won’t stop accelerating until 168 mph (270 km/h) with the AMG Dynamic Plus Package. Thanks to the 94 kWh battery, it also has an impressive WLTP driving range of 416 miles (670 km).

Sources: Autocar