35.8 kWh and 410 km of range: the new smart #nuevo2 already reveals its key features
The return of the small two-seater smart is getting closer by the day, and new details about the model that will take over from the iconic Fortwo are gradually emerging. The smart #2 will be a very distinctive addition to the brand’s lineup, designed specifically for urban use with dimensions that stay true to its original philosophy.
The homologation documents released in China now provide more insight into what lies beneath its chassis. The combination of an extremely compact body and a relatively small battery suggests a vehicle where efficiency will play a key role, although some important details about the European version remain unknown.
The smart #2 will be officially unveiled on October 12 at the Paris Motor Show, where it will make its world premiere. Available information also suggests that its sales in China will begin in mid-November, with arrival in other markets following later. smart has already confirmed that the model is in the final stages of testing and homologation before its launch.
The new generation revives one of smart’s most recognizable identifiers: two doors and two seats. The smart #2 will thus become the spiritual successor to the fortwo, although it will be built on a completely new architecture called ECA, developed specifically for a vehicle of these dimensions.
Exteriorly, the model retains an aesthetic very similar to that of the prototype previously presented by smart. The body features rounded shapes and wheels positioned close to the corners, a solution that allows for maximum use of the limited space available. It will also come in two-color body options, conventional door handles, and 15- and 16-inch tires.
The dimensions better illustrate just how much this vehicle is designed for navigating narrow streets. The Smart #2 will have a length of 2,751 or 2,764 meters depending on the configuration, a width of 1,669 meters, and a height of 1,555 meters. The wheelbase will be 1,875 meters. As a result, it will remain an exceptionally small car even within the urban vehicle segment.
Inside, smart has designed a two-seater cabin where the main goal is to make use of every centimeter. The brand has already unveiled the interior design concept, featuring a very compact layout and solutions tailored for a car that doesn’t require space for a second row of seats. The final equipment may vary by market, as smart has not yet finalized all the details for the European version.
The mechanical part will be equally simple. The available documentation indicates an electric motor located on the rear axle with 60 kW (82 hp), so the smart #2 will feature rear-wheel drive. The maximum speed stated in Chinese documentation is 140 km/h, and the curb weight is around 1,130 kilograms—a relatively low figure that helps explain how it can achieve high range with a relatively small battery.
And here comes one of the most interesting updates. The smart #2 will come equipped with a 35.8 kWh capacity battery made up of LFP cells, and the latest documentation assigns it a range of 410 kilometers according to the CLTC cycle. This is an especially impressive figure for a car of this size, though it’s worth putting it in context before applying it directly to Europe.
410 kilometers of range
The CLTC cycle used in China typically yields higher range figures compared to those obtained using the WLTP cycle in Europe. Therefore, the 410 kilometers claimed cannot be directly compared with the WLTP figures of other electric cars sold in Spain.
According to our estimates, the 410 kilometers under the CLTC cycle for the smart #2 might be around 360 kilometers under the WLTP cycle. This is a rough guideline rather than an official figure: the European homologation process is still pending, and smart has warned that the final specifications could change before launch.
The figure is particularly interesting because we’re talking about a car that is only 2.75 meters long with a battery of 35.8 kWh. Its low weight and very small body size work in its favor, though we’ll have to wait for the first tests to see what actual range it achieves in urban areas and, especially, when driving on roads outside them.
As for charging, smart had previously indicated that the concept model could go from 10% to 80% in less than 20 minutes using fast charging. This figure is based on preliminary information, and it remains to be seen if it will be maintained in the production model, especially what the maximum charging power will be for the European version.
As of now, there is also no official price for Spain. In China, a pre-order program has already been launched at 298 yuan, offering various benefits to early customers, but these terms do not directly indicate the European price. In our market, we will still have to wait for the Paris launch and smart’s subsequent commercial announcement.
What is clear is that the smart #2 will revert to a design concept that seemed completely gone: a two-seater, extremely compact car designed primarily for urban use, but equipped with modern technology. The main uncertainty remains as to how much it will cost when it arrives in Europe and what range it will ultimately achieve under the WLTP standard.