Making a splash! Australia soon to host global reveal of new Smart #5 Tesla Model Y rival

The Chinese-German electric vehicle specialist Smart will stage the global reveal of its new #5 compact SUV in Australia in late August.

The reveal will coincide with the Australian media launch of the brand in Australia and has been previewed by photography and video of a disguised Smart #5 testing here and in Europe.

Australia rarely hosts global new vehicle launches because of the tyranny of distance. But most international media coming to this event are from China which helps justify it.

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They’ll join local media who will also be sampling the Smart #1 and #3 EVs on local soil for the first time.

Smart, nowadays owned by Geely and Mercedes-Benz, is relaunching in Australia after a 10-year break with a whole new line-up and with distribution handled by major Mercedes-Benz dealer LSH Auto.

Images and footage show the biggest Smart yet wading rivers, drifting on dirt and driving through slippery mud and crossing grassy plain. It also is depicted in snowy conditions in Europe.

This isn’t the first time we’ve see the new all-electric mid-size SUV rival to the Tesla Model Y. The flagship Smart SUV was first teased by the adventure-ready go anywhere Smart #5 concept back in April and then inadvertently the victim of leak in June when full images of the production #5 were posted in China.

As well as full pics, the same leak also revealed that the Smart #5 will measure 4705mm long, 1920mm wide, and stand 1705mm tall, with a generous 2900mm wheelbase.

Those numbers suggest the #5 will be shorter than the Tesla Model Y, with a 10mm longer wheelbase that should translate into more interior space within than its US rival.

When it’s unveiled expect four powertrains. A rear-drive/single-motor version with either 250kW or 267kW, plus two all-wheel drive/dual-motor versions that will produce either 432kW or up to a thumping 475kW.

While the single-motor versions will top out at 200km/h the dual-motor versions will crack 210km/h. There’s no word on acceleration but we expect the most powerful Smart #5 will easily overcome its hefty 2450kg kerb weight and launch from 0-100km/h in less than 5.0 seconds.

While the rear-drive models will use lithium-ion phosphate (LFP) battery chemistry, the dual-motor versions will get more expensive nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) batteries that are expected to have an energy density of around 100kWh.

With the latter expect the Smart #5 to cover between 500-600km on a single charge.

Speaking of which, all Smart #5 vehicles will have an 800-volt electrical architecture that will be able to charge the 100kWh battery from 10-80 percent in as little as 15-20 minutes.

We’ve still yet to see what the Smart #5 will look like within, but it’s thought the mid-size battery-electric SUV will come with a large digital instrument cluster and two further large touch-screens for the infotainment and front passenger.

Expect more teases in the coming days ahead of the Australian global reveal even that will be livestreamed on August 28.

The Smart #5 should go on-sale in early 2025.