Aren’t Smarts meant to be small? Plug-in hybrid Smart #6 sedan sizes up BMW 5 Series and Benz E-Class
The Smart brand has pulled the drapes off its first-ever sedan in China with the launch of its all-new 2026 Smart 6 PHEV.
It has been created to rival large premium sedans like the Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
The biggest Smart yet is said to measure in at 4906mm long, which is just 53mm shorter than Benz’s E-Class.
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But despite the German car-maker still owning 50 per cent of the brand with China’s Geely, the new Smart #6 is unrelated.
Instead, it rides on the same PMA2+ platform as the Smart #5 which is closely related to Geely’s Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) that also underpins the Zeekr 7X and the larger Geely Galaxy E8 sedan.
Powering the new Smart #6 is an advanced NordThor Hybrid 2.0 technology plug-in hybrid powertrain.
It features a 120kW 1.5-litre turbo four-cylinder petrol engine combined with an electric motor, plus an unspecified lithium iron phosphate battery and a three-speed transmission.
Total power is 320kW, while the all-electric range is said to exceed 285km on the lenient Chinese CLTC test cycle.
Total claimed tange with a full charge and brimmed tank is a huge 1810km, with Smart claiming its large sedan can average 3.9L/100km.
Boosting the range is the #6’s rakish coupe-like rear styling that requires a pop-out spoiler to keep it stable at speed.
Other design details are the Smart #6 comes with a roof-mounted LiDAR unit that hints at advanced driver assist tech that also requires front fender-mounted cameras.
Hidden doorhandles emphasise the smooth styling designed to maximise range.
Once launched, the Smart #6 will also come with the option of all-electric power.
While entry versions will come with a 75kWh battery and a 254kW single e-motor that drives the rear wheels, long-range versions bag a bigger 94kWh battery and a punchier 271kW e-motor.
Later, two high-performance dual motor versions will rock up with the #6 Pulse producing 438kW, while the flagship Brabus ramps that figure up to a muscular 482kW.
The #6 Brabus will become the most powerful Smart yet, usurping the 475kW Smart #5 Brabus.
No pictures of the cabin have been released yet, but it’s been tipped that the #6 will adopt the near full-width triple screen layout from the mid-size #5 SUV.
Smarts are currently imported and sold in Australia by LSH Australia, a major Mercedes dealer group as part of a joint venture with Smart.
There’s no word on whether either the plug-in hybrid or EV version of the Smart #6 is under consideration.
