smart #2 production prototype spotted in China ahead of Paris debut, 2.79m EV promises 400 km range and 20-minute fast charging

smart has released official test images of the production version of the #2 in China, giving the clearest look yet at the brand’s next ultra-compact electric car before its world debut at the Paris Motor Show in October.

The new model was previewed earlier this year at the Beijing Auto Show as a concept, and the latest test car appears to stay close to that design direction. It continues the compact two-door formula associated with the original fortwo, but reinterprets it as a battery-electric city car.

The #2 is being developed on a new architecture created by smart’s in-house team specifically for ultra-compact vehicles. smart says the body and proportions were designed around a pure-electric package rather than adapted from an existing combustion platform.

From the outside, the production prototype keeps a closed front end, split headlamp layout and a floating roof effect. The lighting signature is also more modern than the classic fortwo, with the daytime running lights and main lamps arranged for a more technical look.

At 2.79 metres long, the #2 remains firmly in micro-car territory. smart also keeps its traditional “four wheels at the corners” stance, which should help maximise interior use within the tiny footprint.

At the rear, the car uses round tail lamps that mirror the shape of the front lighting. That link to the brand’s earlier design language is intended to make the new model immediately recognisable despite its updated electric hardware.

According to the information released so far, the first version to reach the market will be a two-door hardtop. A convertible version is also being considered later, which would broaden the model’s appeal in markets that still support open-top city cars.

Power comes from a fully electric drivetrain, with CLTC-rated range said to reach 400 km. For a car of this size, that figure would put the #2 among the more usable short-range urban EVs on paper, especially for buyers who want occasional intercity flexibility.

Charging capability is another key point. smart says the car supports DC fast charging, with a 10-80% top-up claimed to take 20 minutes. The #2 also includes vehicle-to-load functionality, allowing it to power external devices when parked.

Turning circle is listed at just 6.95 metres, which underlines the #2’s city-focused brief. That should make it especially suitable for tight parking spaces and narrow urban roads, where micro-EVs tend to make the most sense.

The Paris debut will matter because it will reveal the final production specification, market positioning and likely sales strategy for one of smart’s most important small-car nameplates. For now, the test car suggests the brand is trying to preserve the identity of the fortwo while making it relevant to the modern EV market.