Under 2.80 meters long with a range of up to 400 km: the small smart #2 aims to transform urban cars

Seven years after the disappearance of the Smart Fortwo, and after several years during which Smart vehicles grew increasingly larger, the brand is about to bring back one of its most recognizable models. The new Smart #2 will be a small two-seater electric car just 2.75 meters long that retains the original philosophy of the Fortwo, but adapted for the company’s new generation of models. Its world premiere is scheduled for October 12 at the Paris Motor Show, with an arrival in the European market following shortly after.

The new smart #2 will thus become the smallest model in the brand’s current lineup, which so far consists of the smart #1, smart #3, and smart #5. The difference from these models will be significant, as the #2 adopts a configuration that smart abandoned years ago: two doors, two seats, and especially compact dimensions for city driving. The brand has developed a new ECA architecture for it, designed specifically for an ultracompact electric car.

The exterior design retains many of the features that made the Fortwo recognizable, though with a much more modern interpretation. The Smart #2 features LED headlights and an integrated light signature, while the front end includes a large lower opening and a grille with a distinctive design of small circular elements. The sides feature a two-door layout, and the car can be equipped with 15 or 16 inch tires.

The proportions are probably one of the most striking elements. The Smart #2 is 2.75 meters long, with a wheelbase of 1,875 mm—figures that clearly indicate it is designed primarily for urban environments. Additionally, the ECA architecture allows the wheels to stay very close to the edges of the body, resulting in a turning diameter of just 6.95 meters.

The rear section also retains Smart’s distinctive design. The roof ends in a small spoiler, and the headlights have a rounded, irregular shape with two light elements inside. The rear door incorporates the area designated for the license plate, while the lower part of the bumper features a fairly simple visual design, including a decorative element that houses the fog lights and reverse lights.

The interior has not yet been revealed in its final production configuration, although smart has already indicated that efficient use of space will be one of the main selling points of the #2. The ECA platform was designed from the start to minimize mechanical components and free up space inside the cabin, which is particularly important in a car of these dimensions.

There will also be room for features that are uncommon in such a small car. smart has confirmed, for example, that some versions may include a Sennheiser sound system with seven speakers, developed specifically for the compact cabin of the #2. This collaboration will also allow adjusting different sound profiles and bass levels. It will be an option available only in certain versions.

Regarding the propulsion system, information from Chinese homologation documents indicates a 60 kW electric motor at the rear, equivalent to around 82 horsepower. This setup aligns with the model’s philosophy: a lightweight, compact car designed primarily for urban use, where maneuverability and small size are more important than high power figures.

The Chinese documents also confirm a rear-wheel drive configuration and a curb weight of about 1,130 kilograms. The approved top speed is 140 km/h, sufficient for the Smart #2 to travel out of the city with some ease, though its natural environment will clearly remain urban.

The battery will be a lithium LFP type, with available information suggesting a capacity of over 30 kWh. Smart previously announced a target of 35.7 kWh for the #2’s battery, along with fast DC charging capable of reaching 80% charge in less than 20 minutes from 10%. These figures are still subject to final European homologation.

Range is one of the aspects that can cause the most confusion. Information from China indicates a target range of around 400 kilometers on the CLTC cycle, a figure that cannot be directly compared to the WLTP standards used in Europe. As a rough estimate, it would be around 348 kilometers.

The price for our market has not been announced yet either. Smart is currently focusing its communications on the return of the small two-seater model and its international debut, so any figures released before the European launch should be taken with caution. What is clear, however, is that the #2 model will need to rely on a very different approach from Smart’s current #1, #3, and #5 models: a minimal size and a design much closer to the original Fortwo.

The new smart #2 will be officially unveiled in Paris on October 12. It will be then that the brand reveals all the final details of the car, including specifications for European versions, the WLTP-certified range, and prices. Its return represents one of smart’s most interesting updates in recent years, especially for those who missed having a truly small car in a lineup currently dominated by much larger models.