Smart has offered the clearest look yet at the upcoming Smart #2, using a dedicated technology workshop in Beijing to preview the engineering behind the brand's return to the compact two-seater segment. The production car is set to make its global debut at the Paris Motor Show on 12 October.
While Smart's recent models have grown into compact crossovers, the #2 marks a return to the formula that originally defined the brand. Measuring less than three metres in length, the all-electric newcomer is built on a newly developed Electric Compact Architecture (ECA), a platform created specifically for ultra-compact EVs.
Packaging remains one of the biggest challenges in a vehicle of this size, but Smart says the ECA platform accommodates a 35.8kWh battery supplied by CATL. The company is targeting approximately 300km of WLTP driving range, while DC fast charging is claimed to take the battery from 10-80% in 20 minutes. An integrated 11-in-1 electric drive unit also helps reduce space requirements and component count.
Just as important is safety. The new-generation Tridion Cell Evo structure uses more than 78% high-strength steel, including materials rated up to 1,800MPa. According to smart, the body delivers torsional stiffness of 39,000Nm/deg and can withstand roof loads exceeding four tonnes. Seven airbags come as standard, alongside enhanced restraint technologies and a protected battery structure.
Urban manoeuvrability remains a central part of the car's appeal. The Smart #2 boasts a curb-to-curb turning diameter of just 6.95 metres, making it particularly suited to dense city environments. Unusually for a vehicle in this size class, it also features a rear five-link independent suspension setup, paired with rear-wheel drive and a 50:50 weight distribution for improved stability and handling.
Styled by the Mercedes-Benz Global Design Team, the #2 retains Smart's signature wheels-at-the-corners stance while adapting it for a new electric era. The result is a modern interpretation of one of the automotive industry's most recognisable city-car concepts.
