Smart #2 brings back the two-seater with £17,900 starting price

Smart has brought back its tiny two-seater with the electric #2, promising a 180-mile range and a UK starting price listed at £17,900 before delivery and registration costs. Unveiled at the Paris Motor Show, the new model combines the compact proportions of the fortwo with rapid charging and a comprehensive standard safety package.

UK pre-orders are due to begin in spring 2027, according to Smart’s British launch announcement. The range will comprise Pure and Premium models, plus a limited Couture Edition, with all three sharing a 35.8kWh lithium iron phosphate battery and a rear-mounted 60kW motor driving the rear wheels.

There is a qualification to the headline price. Smart’s European price sheet lists the UK Pure at £17,900, Premium at £21,900 and Couture Edition at £22,920, excluding country-specific delivery and registration charges. Its UK press release gives only a sub-£20,000 starting point and says full British pricing will be announced later this year.

The distinction also matters for ordering. A separate European announcement opens binding early orders through retail partners from 13 October, ahead of wider availability in 2027. However, British buyers should follow the UK-specific spring timetable. The Pure+ offered in continental markets is absent from both the UK specification sheet and British price list.

At 2,746mm long, the #2 is designed around the same priority as its predecessor: taking up as little road and parking space as possible. Its kerb-to-kerb turning circle measures just 6.95 metres, while the wheels sit close to the corners of the body to maximise cabin space.

The claimed 180-mile combined WLTP range remains a target rather than a final certified figure. Smart says the car is still undergoing type approval, so specifications, equipment and consumption figures could change before delivery. The preliminary energy consumption figure is 13.6kWh/100km, equivalent to approximately 4.6 miles per kWh.

Rapid charging is supported at up to 65kW across the range, with Smart quoting a 10–80% charge in 20 minutes under optimal conditions. That should give drivers more flexibility beyond short urban journeys, although actual charging speed will depend on battery temperature, the charger and other operating conditions.

AC charging capability differs between trims. The entry-level Pure has a 7.4kW single-phase onboard charger, while Premium and Couture Edition support up to 11kW using a three-phase supply. Buyers comparing versions therefore gain faster potential AC charging by moving up the range, as well as the additional cabin equipment.

Vehicle-to-load capability is also included, allowing the battery to supply compatible external electrical devices. There is a UK caveat, however: Smart says the separately purchased accessory uses a Type F socket, and warns that compatibility with local standards may restrict use in some countries. British buyers should confirm suitability for their intended equipment.

Performance is modest but should suit the car’s urban brief. The motor produces 130Nm of torque, with 0–62mph taking 11.6 seconds and a maximum speed of approximately 87mph. Every version uses a single-speed transmission, and the preliminary technical data lists a kerb weight of 1,140kg.

Underneath is Smart’s new Electric Compact Architecture, developed specifically for the two-seater. A five-link rear suspension, described by the manufacturer as a first in this class, is intended to improve both ride comfort and handling. The floor-mounted battery lowers the centre of gravity, while rear tyres are wider than those at the front.

“Getting the balance right in a car this compact meant tuning every detail, from chassis hard points and steering ratio to the right tyre compound for both city streets and open highways,” said Dr Tilo Schweers, Smart Europe’s vice president of research and development.

“We tested the smart #2 on proving grounds, in wind tunnels, and on public roads across different climates, because confidence behind the wheel must hold up in the real world, not just on paper.”

Practicality centres on two seats and a split tailgate, another feature carried over from the fortwo concept. Smart quotes a 305-litre boot and a maximum luggage capacity of 527 litres. The technical sheet also lists a maximum payload of 205kg, a figure buyers will need to consider when combining occupants and luggage.

The cabin has a continuous bench-style seating arrangement and an S-shaped dashboard, with a 10.1-inch central touchscreen and a separate 8.8-inch driver display. Connectivity includes 4G, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, supported by an eight-year connectivity package. A dashboard mounting point called the Smart Pillar provides somewhere to attach small gadgets.

Standard safety equipment includes seven airbags and the latest evolution of Smart’s Tridion safety cell, called Tridion Cell Evo. Driver assistance systems include adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot detection, traffic-sign recognition, highway assistance and traffic-jam assistance. Parking sensors and a rear camera are also listed in the UK specification.

The Pure starts with 15-inch wheels, LED headlights and tail-lights, plus automatic high-beam assistance. Its standard driver assistance package also includes rear collision mitigation and rear cross-traffic alert. Crucially, choosing the least expensive version does not mean accepting a smaller battery, reduced motor output or slower DC charging.

Premium adds a fixed panoramic glass roof, heated synthetic leather seats, a heated steering wheel and a seven-speaker Sennheiser sound system. It also gains 16-inch Xora wheels, ambient lighting with 256 colours and a wider choice of exterior combinations, including two-tone finishes. The listed price difference from Pure is £4,000.

The Couture Edition costs another £1,020 on the supplied UK price sheet and is limited to 999 examples across Europe. It combines Atelier White Matte paint with a Platinum Gold roof, gold exterior details and 16-inch Lyra wheels. Inside are gold accents and a numbered badge, alongside the Premium equipment, wireless charging and navigation.

The special edition is slightly longer than the other versions, at 2,764mm. Across the range, Smart lists a height of 1,555mm, a wheelbase of 1,875mm and a width including mirrors of 1,939mm. Those dimensions underline the emphasis on a short footprint, rather than eliminating every consideration when negotiating narrow streets.

Louise O’Sullivan, chief executive of Smart UK, said: “The UK’s love of the original smart fortwo is well known, and the new #2 combines the pioneering spirit of that car with the advanced technology of smart’s current award-winning model range.” The company is betting that familiar proportions and updated electric technology will bring British drivers back to its smallest car again.

The Paris unveiling comes 30 years after the original Smart two-seater concept appeared in the same city. For the Mercedes-Benz and Geely joint venture, the #2 restores the format that established the brand’s identity. UK customers can register interest through local retailers while awaiting the final British pricing announcement and the opening of pre-orders next spring.