Smart #2 design revealed in homologation filing
As part of the approval process in China, the first official images of the new Smart #2 without camouflage have been revealed. The two-seater city car, designed as the successor to the iconic Smart ForTwo, is based on a new electric architecture and is set to celebrate its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show in October.
The battery-electric Smart #2 from the Geely-Mercedes-Benz joint venture has been added to the homologation catalogue of China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). The filing includes the first official images of the production model without camouflage and confirms key homologation data. Most of the technical details had already been revealed during an event in Rome this June, although only a concept version was shown at the time rather than the production vehicle.
The MIIT filing confirms that the Smart #2 measures either 2.75 or 2.76 metres in length, depending on the variant. It is 1.67 metres wide, 1.56 metres high and has a wheelbase of 1.88 metres. Kerb weight is listed at 1,130 kg.
The homologation documents also reveal that the two-seater is powered by a 60 kW electric motor supplied by InfiMotion. Smart had not disclosed the system output when presenting the model in Rome, describing the drivetrain only as delivering ‘maximum manoeuvrability in confined spaces’.
Top speed of 140 km/h
The Smart #2 uses a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery with cells supplied by CATL and assembled by Geely. While Smart announced a battery capacity of 35.7 kWh at the Rome presentation, the MIIT filing does not specify the figure. It does, however, confirm a previously undisclosed top speed of 140 km/h.
With the #2, Smart aims to revive the concept of the original Fortwo while bringing it into the electric era with modern technology. In an interview with electrive, Smart Europe CEO Wolfgang Ufer outlined the company’s ambitions: “A legend is coming back […] it will be the best two-seater we have ever built.”
For Europe, Smart is targeting a starting price below €22,500, placing the entry-level #2 in the lower half of the previously indicated €20,000 to €25,000 range. The company will announce the final European pricing at the model’s world premiere during the Paris Motor Show in October.
The Smart #2 will initially be built in China for the domestic market as well as export to Europe and other international markets. However, Smart has not ruled out future production in Europe if sales volumes justify local manufacturing. The company has yet to announce a timeline or potential production site.
Updated Smart #1 launches in China
Meanwhile, the updated Smart #1 has gone on sale in China. Prices start at 152,900 yuan (around €19,600). The model features more than 200 updates over its predecessor, including an 800-volt platform, and is positioned by Smart as an ‘agile luxury SUV with AI technology’. The updated #1 is expected to launch in Europe next year.