Smart #1. That’s the new naming convention being ushered in by the revamped Smart brand which is a result of a joint venture between German powerhouse, Mercedes-Benz and Chinese automotive juggernaut, Geely.
Smart dropped off South African new car listings in 2019 and while the Smart ForTwo city car and slightly more practical Smart ForFour had charm and loads of cuteness, they were pricey and never really won the hearts of local car buyers.
In 2018, Smart made its intentions known to become an Electric Vehicle (EV) brand and in 2020 the $849-million joint venture was announced with Mercedes-Benz being responsible for design while Geely champions engineering and production in China.
The Concept #1 forms the basis for the new Smart #1 due this year.
The Smart #1, therefore, represents a new start for Smart and the #1 is expected to be fully revealed later this year.
The images you see here show the 5-door, all-electric Smart #1 crossover wearing a colourful camouflage but they provide enough detail to imagine what the final production version might look like. The Smart #1 is based on the Concept #1 which was shown at IAA in Munich, Germany, in 2021 and measured4 290 mm long, 1 910 mm wide and 1 700 mm tall, which is comparable to the size of a Mini Countryman.
The Smart #1 will be produced on the Geely Sustainable Experience Architecture but the exact electric powertrain details are not yet known.
The Smart #1 is said to have an impressive drag coefficient of 0.29 and features active grille shutters as well as flush door handles with ice-breaking functionality, the latter of which will be useful for icy European winters.
As far as the interior is concerned, the Smart #1 is expected to have a minimalist interior design and while it’s likely to share cues from the Concept #1, it’s not expected to be as flamboyant in its execution. A large central infotainment system measuring 12.8-inches is likely.
The interior of the Concept #1 provides hints of what the Smart #1 might offer, but with a more conventional execution.
The Smart #1 will later be joined by a larger model and it would be logical to assume that it will be called #2, but time will tell. The Smart #1 is earmarked for sale in China and Europe.
We will keep you updated as soon as more details are revealed.
Buy a used Smart on Cars.co.za
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