Smart #2 should maintain its ForTwo identity without becoming nostalgic.
Image: Smart
Smart is set to introduce a new electric two-seater model, the #2. It will become the smallest electric vehicle in the brand’s lineup, which currently focuses on larger segments. This fourth new model series is designed to maintain a direct connection to the history of the original ForTwo city coupe.
The #2 was conceived as a modern interpretation that avoids a retro style and instead fits into the current Smart model family. A key goal was to preserve the iconic character of the two-seater while meeting today’s requirements for crash safety. This is what designer Sylvain Wehnert said in an interview with Autohaus.de.
By utilizing the new Electric Compact Architecture (ECA), the wheels can once again be positioned far outward. This design allows for a silhouette typical of Smart, as well as maximizing interior space within a compact footprint. A key safety feature is the improved Tridion safety cell, designed to protect passengers. Stylistically, this element is expressed in the #2 model through a two-tone, visually floating “Halo Roof,” which aims to offer a modern interpretation of the original Tridion concept.
Smart is now being developed and produced in the People’s Republic of China by Mercedes-Benz and its Chinese joint-venture partner Geely. The successor to the ForTwo is intended to serve as a flagship product for the brand, which has shifted toward a premium orientation since Geely’s involvement. However, according to designer Wehnert, expensive or excessive features were avoided in the development of the #2. The focus was on proportions, surfaces, and materials to cater to the price-sensitive market segment.
The #2 is based on the ECA platform, utilizing a new electric architecture developed specifically for ultra-compact vehicles. According to data and images from China, the model features a body length of around 2.75 meters. It also has a width of just under 1.67 meters, a height of 1.56 meters, and a wheelbase of 1.89 meters.
Power is provided by a 60-kW motor (82 horsepower) according to Chinese data. The energy storage system is a lithium-iron-phosphate battery (LFP), with cells supplied by China’s leading battery manufacturer CATL. The #2 weighs 1,130 kilograms and can reach a top speed of 140 km/h. Preliminary official figures indicate an range of approximately 300 kilometers thanks to a 35.7-kWh battery. Fast charging from 10% to 80% is expected to take around 20 minutes.
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About the author
Thomas Langenbucher is an expert in electromobility with professional experience in the automotive industry and finance sector. Since 2011, he has been covering electric vehicles, sustainable technologies, and mobility solutions on ecomento.de. Learn more.
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