Smart Concept #2: Return to the electric two-seater

At its presentation in Beijing, the smart Concept #2 hints at the electric two-seater that is set to expand the brand's offering from three to five electric car models this year. In terms of dimensions, the brand, which is operated equally by Mercedes-Benz and Geely, is returning to its beginnings: The production model of the smart #2 is to be presented by the brand in October 2026 at the Paris Motor Show “as the successor to the fortwo” and then quickly brought to dealerships. This refers to the fortwo EQ, available until 2021 and by then long outdated, which the #2 will easily surpass in all aspects of its powertrain.

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Successor to the fortwo

With one wheel at each corner, the smart #2, with a total length of only 2792 mm, is intended to offer comfortable space for two with the passive safety levels expected today. An undeniable advantage in urban areas is not only the small parking space requirement but also its turning circle of just 6.95 m. This is exactly as one already knows it from the original Smart and its extensively marketed real-life successor, the Smart fortwo. It even shares the turning circle with the fortwo EQ down to the second decimal place.

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Smart #2 Concept (11 Bilder)

Visually, the #2 could easily pass as the successor to the fortwo, and the design of the production model is unlikely to change significantly by autumn. Those who think of a Popemobile given the combination of white and gold that assaults the taste buds can take comfort in the fact that the #2 will likely be available in other color schemes later. It clearly indicates that the appearance in Beijing clearly focused on the newly rich who consider themselves beautiful. A “spec sheet” attached to the car identifies them as “STYLING BY Mercedes-Benz”.

Probably a bit pricier than its predecessor

For the #2, Smart promises an electric range “of up to almost 300 kilometers” and a DC fast charging time of “less than 20 minutes” between 10 and 80 percent. The Smart fortwo EQ barely reached 159 kilometers and could be charged with 4.6 or, for a considerable surcharge, at least 22 kW. Furthermore, there is talk of a Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) function for the #2. While the values are explicitly stated before a final determination by WLTP, they are likely to be close to those for the upcoming production model. Cell chemistry and capacity were not mentioned; given the stated range, one can assume around 32 kWh. Smart has not yet announced anything about the performance either.

What the car will cost is pure speculation. The fortwo EQ, based on a completely different architecture, still cost around 18,000 euros after significant price reductions. In any case, Smart did not want to estimate more than 20,000 euros for the successor in earlier inquiries.

Before Smart became a brand of the Mercedes universe in the mid-90s, the two-seater microcars were conceived as part of an innovative mobility concept with parallel parking capability and integration with public transport – explicitly with an exclusive electric drive. After all, the latter has been consistently present in the brand after two ownership changes, as well as in its SUV models, after Mercedes initially explicitly decided against it upon taking over the brand in the mid-90s. Today, the joint venture between Mercedes and Geely, with its German headquarters in Leinfelden-Echterdingen, positions itself as a “leading provider of intelligent electric vehicles in the premium segment”.

(fpi)