Smart #2: This could be the successor to the Fortwo
Smart unveiled the smart #2 in Paris, a 2.75-meter-long two-seater vehicle equipped with a 60 kW rear motor and a 35.8-kWh LFP battery. Its range is said to reach up to 290 km, with fast charging capabilities of up to 65 kW.
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Smart unveiled the smart #2 in Paris, a new two-seater vehicle designed to succeed the fortwo. The presentation was deliberately chosen for its location and timing, as it marks 30 years since the original concept of a Smart two-seater was presented there. The new smart #2 is fully electric and is built on a specially developed platform called Electric Compact Architecture (ECA). The brand is backed by a joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and Geely, while smart Europe GmbH in Leinfelden-Echterdingen is responsible for sales, marketing, and service in Europe. Orders can be placed starting now according to smart Germany, though the vehicle is still in the approval process, meaning all technical specifications are provisional.
Dimensions and Concept
With a length of 2,746 mm, the smart #2 remains true to its core principle. The limited Couture Edition is slightly longer at 2,764 mm. The width including mirrors is 1,939 mm, the height is 1,555 mm, and the wheelbase is 1,875 mm. As in the first generation, the wheels are positioned far out at the corners of the vehicle to maximize interior space within its compact footprint. The turning circle is 6.95 meters from curb to curb.
Smart lists the curb weight at 1,140 kg and the maximum allowed total weight at 1,345 kg. This results in a payload of 205 kg, which leaves little room for two people with luggage. The trunk has a capacity of 305 liters, with up to 527 liters possible. Smart has retained typical features of the older ForTwo, such as the two-tone paint and split rear hatch. The body structure is based on the Tridion Cell Evo, an improved version of the well-known safety cell. There are seven airbags installed.
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Powertrain and Suspension
The smart #2 is powered by a permanently excited synchronous motor located at the rear axle. It delivers 60 kW (82 hp) and provides a torque of 130 Nm. The power is transmitted to the rear wheels via an input gearbox. Smart claims an acceleration time of 11.6 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h, with a top speed of 140 km/h.
The rear five-link independent suspension is unusual for this vehicle class. Along with the low center of gravity provided by the battery mounted in the floor, it is intended to ensure stable handling both in urban areas and on highways. According to development chief Tilo Schweers, the vehicle was tuned on test tracks, in a wind tunnel, and on public roads under various weather conditions. Wider tires are installed at the rear than at the front: the Pure and Pure+ models use 165/65 R15 tires at the front and 185/60 R15 tires at the rear, while the Premium and Couture Editions feature 16-inch wheels with 185/50 R16 tires at the front and 205/45 R16 tires at the rear.
Battery, Range, and Charging Speed
The battery uses lithium-iron-phosphate cells (LFP) and has a capacity of 35.8 kWh. smart reports a combined WLTP consumption of 13.6 kWh/100 km and a range of up to 290 km. Both figures are target values that will become binding only after completion of homologation.
Using a CCS DC fast charger, the smart #2 can charge at up to 65 kW. Under optimal conditions, it should take about 20 minutes to go from 10% to 80% charge. There are differences among the trims for AC charging: the entry-level Pure model has only a single-phase onboard charger with 7.4 kW, requiring around five hours to charge. All other variants use a three-phase charger at 11 kW, taking approximately three hours.
All versions support Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) to power external devices. However, this requires a separately available adapter that provides a Schuko socket (Type F).
Trim Levels and Interior
In Europe, the smart #2 is available in the Pure, Pure+ and Premium trims, along with the Couture Edition limited to 999 units. All variants feature a continuous bench-style seating arrangement, a 10.1-inch central display, and an 8.8-inch driver display. 4G, WLAN, and Bluetooth are included, with a Connectivity Package lasting eight years. The dashboard features the so-called smart Pillar, where small items can be attached.
The base Pure version already comes equipped with LED headlights featuring high-beam assist, smart Pilot Assist, as well as an adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go function and Highway Assist. Pure+ adds a 11-kW charger and a heated driver’s seat. Premium further includes a fixed glass roof, heated synthetic leather seats for both passengers, a heated steering wheel, ambient lighting, and a Sennheiser sound system with seven speakers. Premium also offers significantly more color options, including two-tone paint finishes. The Couture Edition features Atelier White Matt paint with a Platinum Gold roof, 16-inch wheels with gold accents, and a numbered plaque inside the cabin.
smart has not yet announced prices. Delivery is expected only after type approval is completed.
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