► Smart returns with new #1 SUV
► Electric crossover claims up to 273 miles
► Joint venture between Mercedes and Geely
Smart is back, but not as we knew it. The original urban mobility brand has returned as joint venture of Geely and Mercedes, and it’s kicked this all-new chapter off with… an electric SUV/crossover. Who’d have thought? Called the Smart #1, the new EV ‘retains the Smart spirit’ but fuses it to future-proof powertrain. Keep reading for more.
It looks a bit like a Mercedes…
Although Mercedes has handed over part of the Smart project to Geely (the parent company of Lotus, Polestar and Volvo among others) the three-pointed star’s DNA is still obvious to see. Its 4270mm length, 2750mm wheelbase and 19-inch rims give it a unique stance, but #1’s headlights and rear lights clearly resemble other EQ models such as the EQE and EQS.
Other design ‘highlights’ include concealed handles and a novel halo roof, which gives the impression of decent interior space. Either way, the #1 carries on the Smart ethos of a picking and choosing bits of Mercedes and making them a little more ‘youthful’.
Inside, you’ll find a mixture of Mercedes tech and funky, Smart styling; A 12.8-inch touchscreen dominates the cabin and holds an AI-based infotainment system with a 3D interface – and it also uses a robust Smart ID. Behind the wheel you’ll find a 10-inch HUD projecting just above a 9.2-inch full HD instrument cluster.
As for the AI? Think of all the things you can do with Hey Mercedes in something such as an A-Class, and you’re pretty much there: air-con, ambient lighting and more. A 13-speaker and sub system, courtesy of Dr Dre’s Beats brand is also included, while a peer-to-peer system means owners can also verify other friends and relatives to use their Smart.
It’s bound to get more intelligent, too; Smart says 75% of the car’s systems can also be upgraded via OTA updates.
What about specs?
The Smart #1 rides on Geely’s new SEA platform, short for Sustainable Experience Architecture. It’s the same platform underpinning Volvo’s new EX30.
At the bottom of the ladder is a 49kWh battery model named ‘Pro’, with a single e-motor developing 268bhp and 253lb ft of torque. Smart claims a 193-mile range and a 6.7sec 0-62mph sprint, and says Pro is designed to make going electric more affordable.
‘Pro+’ and ‘Premium’ versions benefit from a larger 66kWh battery model, offering a range between 260 and 273 miles on the WLTP test cycle. Performance is the same as the ‘Pro’ model here.
Then, to top out the range, there’s a hot Brabus version. This gets a dual motor, all-wheel-drive configuration. Thanks to its 422bhp output (compared the 268bhp single-motor rear-wheel-drive model) and 430lb ft of torque, it’ll hit 0-62mph in just 3.9 seconds.
All models ship with a good amount of kit as standard. The Pro and Pro+ models feature a ACC, a panoramic sunroof, heated seats and a LED lights as standard, and the Premium trim adds a Beats sounds system, HUD and automatic park assist, as well a range of 273 miles – 13 more than the Pro+. The Brabus gets more aggressive styling, 19-inch wheels and a Brabus-themed interior.
Is this still a Smart?
Unlike the lightweight ForTwo and the ForFour that proceeded it, the #1 is an all-electric SUV, and in many ways steps away from the traditional Smart template. It’s much larger than city cars that brand is traditionally known for, and although we’ve no price yet, the powertrain alone is sure to make the #1 the most expensive Smart ever. However, at the worldwide launch in Berlin, Smart’s suits were keen to point out the spirit of Smart remains intact.
The emphasis is on premium value rather than all out affordability: ‘what people should know is this car has so much standard features in the standard line which is unbelievable,’ Smart designer Michael Gebhardt tells CAR at the 1#’s worldwide launch.
‘We have standard line LED lights, that is not normal. We have complete, fully-electric flush door handles. From the beginning we have ambient lights inside, and a 12.8-inch screen,’ he adds. ‘Everything is standard, and that’s fantastic.’
How much is it, then?
Prices start at £31,950 for the Pro model, rising to £35,950 for Pro+ and £38,950 for the Premium. Want the spicy Brabus model? That’ll set you back £43,450.