smart #2 spotted in China: Two-seater EV returns to its roots with 400km range

smart looks set to return to its two-seat roots with the new smart #2, which has been spotted in camouflage on the streets of Beijing, Shenzhen and Shanghai.

The new two-seat EV is expected to go on sale after the current pre-launch campaign wraps up.

Designed by Mercedes-Benz and developed for urban driving, the smart #2 is a much smaller proposition than the brand's current SUVs. Its compact dimensions and promise of easy manoeuvrability have already made it one of the more talked-about upcoming smart models.

Two seats, four corners

The smart #2 is intended as a spiritual successor to the original smart fortwo, retaining its two-door, two-seat layout.

The front end is closed off, with split LED headlights and a floating roof giving the small EV a rounded look. The familiar smart proportions remain, although the design is noticeably more modern.

The smart #2 measures 2,751 mm or 2,764 mm long, 1,669 mm wide and 1,555 mm tall, with a 1,875 mm wheelbase and a weight of just 1,130 kg.

The wheels are pushed close to the four corners of the body, helping keep the turning circle to just 6.95 metres.

That should come in handy in tight city streets, older apartment complexes and crowded shopping-centre car parks, where a compact footprint can make U-turns and parking considerably easier.

Nearly 400km of range

Despite its small size, the smart #2 gets a reasonably substantial battery. It uses smart's ECA electric vehicle architecture and a 35.7kWh LFP battery supplied by CATL.

Under the CLTC test cycle, the car is claimed to offer close to 400 km of range. It also supports DC fast charging, with a 10–80% charge taking around 20 minutes.

The electric motor produces 60 kW, while top speed is rated at 140 km/h.

Mercedes-Benz design, Geely engineering

smart is jointly controlled by Geely and Mercedes-Benz, with Mercedes-Benz responsible for the design side of the brand and Geely handling much of the engineering and manufacturing.

The smart #2 will be built by Zhejiang Haoqing Automobile, with its electric motor supplied by InfiMotion and the battery coming from CATL.

The initial version will be a fixed-roof two-door model, although smart is also considering a convertible version at a later stage.

Back to the original idea

smart has moved a long way from the tiny city cars that first made the brand famous. The #1 and #3 are both four-seat SUVs with considerably more space than the original fortwo.

The arrival of the #2 takes smart back towards the compact, two-seat format that defined the brand in its early years.

A two-seat car will never match an SUV for practicality, but the combination of a compact footprint, easy manoeuvrability and nearly 400km of claimed range could make the smart #2 an interesting option for city driving or as a second car.

More information is expected to emerge around the Paris Motor Show, along with potential developments for markets in and around Malaysia.