Quick look
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A return to the 2-seater city car concept of the original smart fortwo. It stays true to the ‘wheels-at-the-corners’ layout of the original.
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The Concept #2 previews a new model that will have smart’s new proprietary Electric Compact Architecture. A range of nearly 300 kms is claimed.
The smart brand (the ‘s’ is always in lower case) is returning to its roots, but with a modern perspective. At the recent Global Brand Event in Beijing, the automaker – a joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and Geely since 2019 – presented the Concept #2 which previews a new model with the same digit.
As the number suggests, this will be the smallest smart model of the modern range and marks the return of the 2-seater city car that was the original concept, reimagined for the electric era.
The design language
Visually, the Concept #2 follows the ‘Love, Pure, Unexpected’ design language established by the Mercedes-Benz Global Design Team. It presents a compact silhouette characterized by generous volumes and a clean, 2-tone finish of matte white and warm gold.
The ‘Function becomes Fashion’ philosophy is evident in the details, where translucent surfaces hide playful elements and fine leather hardware elevates the interior beyond the utilitarian feel of previous generations.
“We believe a city car should be more than a problem solver; it should spark joy. Carrying the heritage of the fortwo’s iconic design, the Concept #2 translates our bold personality into a new era where ‘Function becomes Fashion.’ It is not only about clever practicality but serves as a true extension of personal identity,” said Kai Sieber, Mercedes-Benz Design, Head of Design smart.
Packaging efficiency
Efficiency in packaging remains the priority for this compact car. Despite its total length of just 2792 mm (the original fortwo was 2.6 metres). Every millimetre of the wheelbase is utilized for passenger comfort. This layout also allows atight 6.95-metre turning circle (similar to the fortwo), making it very manoeuvrable and ideal for crowded city environments.
Electric Compact Architecture
The Concept #2 is proposed with the new Electric Compact Architecture (ECA). This proprietary platform, likely developed by the Geely side, is a significant departure from the SEA platform used in the other models. Early technical targets for the production model include an electric range of nearly 300 kms, which would represent a massive leap over the capabilities of the final-generation ICE-powered predecessors.
Charging performance is also a focal point of the new architecture. Smart claims the EV will be capable of a 10% to 80% recharge in under 20 minutes with DC fast-charging (power supply level unspecified).
Challenging early history
Originally born from an unconventional partnership between Swatch (the watch brand) and Mercedes-Benz in the 1990s, the marque struggled for years to find a profitable niche. In 2019, a strategic 50:50 joint venture was formed between Daimler AG (via the Mercedes-Benz Group) and Geely.
smart today
The modern smart company benefits from the design expertise and premium branding of the Mercedes-Benz with the manufacturing scale and advanced EV technology of the Geely Group.
This new corporate structure has allowed smart to rapidly expand its portfolio. By moving production to China and leveraging Geely’s supply chains, the brand has transitioned from a struggling niche player into a global contender.
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