Miniscule Smart #2 EV concept a Beijing show-stopper! Production version next, Australian launch likely
Cute, ain’t it?
This is the miniscule two-door, two-seat Smart #2 Concept, with design and dimensions paying homage to the original Smart Fortwo from the 1990s.
It’s about time. The Smart #1 and #3 EVs currently sold in Australia could be mistaken for many other SUVs, but this #2 highlights what made Smart such a standout over 25 years ago.
They were deliberately tiny, perfect for the city and standout style statements.
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Revealed at the Beijing auto show, the #2 Concept forecasts a full production version to be unveiled at the Paris auto show this October.
We spoke with Smart #2 product manager, Simon LV, at Smart’s show stand in Beijing, who confirmed it was a “global model, for both left-hand and right-hand drive markets.”
Would that mean an Australian launch? “I’d say it’s 80 per cent likely it will go to Australia,” Simon said.
But we know Australians’ general reticence towards city cars, especially ones in ickle Kei car dimensions. The #2 is a mere 2792mm long, making it close to the tiny combustion Smart Fortwo that never found much love on our shores.
With Smart now a joint venture between China’s Geely and Germany’s Mercedes-Benz and very much an EV-focused brand, perhaps there’ll be greater appeal.
Especially if the #2 could be priced in Australia starting from around $35,000 to not distance itself from rivals like the BYD Atto 1, GAC Aion UT and Hyundai Inster.
Saying that, it’s the kind of car that would attract buyers on looks alone.
The #2 Concept held eyeballs in Beijing by being dressed in striking white and gold, aided by sizzling white wheel covers and oversized alloys at the absolute corners of the body.
Then there’s pixel digital lighting all round, contrast colour roof, leather door straps and a front panel coated in Louis Vitton-like Smart symbols where a front grille would have once been.
In profile it shows how there are practically no overhangs, keeping it fun-sized and famously able to park bum-to-kerb rather than wheels-to-kerb. Turning circle’s quoted at a tight 6.95m.
Smart #2’s product manager Simon LV said he couldn’t reveal details on the the city EV’s battery and motors, but said range would be around 300km WLTP. For a car destined never to leave the urban environment, that sounds plenty.
The battery’s likely a titchy offering to keep weight down, but charging from 10 to 80 per cent is promised in 20 minutes, suggesting charge speed will be good. V2L will also feature.
Sadly, it was a closed-door concept with no chance to peek in the cabin.
Built on Smart’s new Electric Compact Architecture (ECT), Simon LV insisted it was a Smart-only platform, and wouldn’t be shared with other Geely products.
Simon also said a hot Brabus version was likely – possibly also to be shown in Paris – and he was open to the idea of a convertible and even a return to the Smart Roadster design in future.
The design team at Mercedes-Benz has nailed the retro brief with the #2 Concept’s styling, following in the (successful) tracks of Renault with its 4, 5 and Twingo EVs, and Fiat with its electric 500 and Panda.
In Australia, Smarts are distributed by LSH Auto through its Mercedes-Benz showrooms. For now, these are only in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
