smart #2 launched in China with 410km range, from approx. RM 61k

The smart #2 has officially launched  in China, with prices starting at RMB 102,900 (approximately RM 62,700). A limited-time promotion reduces the entry price to RMB 99,900 (approximately RM 61,300).

As the spiritual successor to the iconic two-seat smart fortwo, the mini electric car is designed for urban use, with compact dimensions, distinctive styling and a focus on manoeuvrability.

Exterior

The new smart #2 was designed by Mercedes-Benz's global design team, following the brand's design philosophy of "Love, Pure and Unexpected".

The rounded bodywork and wheels pushed towards the four corners give the car the familiar proportions of the original fortwo to make the most of the cabin space.

The front and rear light clusters incorporate details inspired by the smart logo, while a floating roof adds a more modern touch.

From the side, the smart #2 has a compact, streamlined profile. It retains conventional door handles rather than adopting flush-fitting alternatives.

It measures 2,751 mm (or 2,764 mm, depending on the version) in length, with a width of 1,669 mm, a height of 1,555 mm and a 1,875 mm wheelbase.

All variants use wider tyres at the rear than at the front, a staggered setup intended to improve grip and stability without compromising steering response.

Smart also claims a cabin space utilisation rate of 78%. The floor sits 25 mm lower than in the previous fortwo, freeing up headroom of 1,000 mm.

Interior

The cabin features a full-width bench seat and a wraparound dashboard with flowing, wave-inspired design. The minimalist layout is complemented by warm materials and finishes.

Practicality has not been overlooked. The #2 retains the fortwo's split tailgate, with two independently opening sections:

• Upper glass section: Opens separately, allowing occupants to retrieve smaller items even when the car is parked close to a wall or another vehicle.
• Lower tailgate: Folds down to create a loading platform that can also serve as a temporary seat, with a maximum load capacity of 120kg.

Safety

The smart #2 comes with up to seven airbags, including front and side airbags, curtain airbags and a far-side airbag between the front occupants.

Its safety package also includes up to 16 active and passive safety features. Key driver assistance systems include:

• Adaptive cruise control (ACC)
• Blind spot detection (BSD)
• Lane departure prevention (LDP) and lane keeping assist (LKA)
• Lane departure warning (LDW)

Powertrain

Power comes from an 11-in-1 integrated electric drive system producing 60 kW (82 PS). The car is equipped with a 35.8 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery supplied by CATL, giving it a claimed CLTC range of up to 410 km.

DC fast charging takes the battery from 10% to 80% in 20 minutes. The car also supports vehicle-to-load (V2L) power supply, allowing owners to run external electrical equipment when camping or spending time outdoors.

For urban driving, one of the #2's most useful figures is its 3.35-metre turning radius. That should make U-turns, tight corners and parking in confined spaces considerably easier.