Much bigger than predecessor
Smart makes a fresh start and presents the first electric SUV
The Smart #1 appears for the first time as an SUV
© Smart Europe GmbH
Smart is known for its microcars. But that should change. The joint venture between Mercedes and Geely has presented its first electric SUV. This heralds the restart of Smart. An electric car with noteworthy properties.
Small, manoeuvrable and, above all, on the road in inner cities: that is what characterizes the cars from Smart. The small city runabouts are not even 2.70 meters long and can carry two people. Now the carmaker, now a joint venture between Mercedes and the Chinese manufacturer Geely, is making a fresh start and has presented its first electric SUV.
The classic micro car should thus be history at Smart in the future. Because the Smart #1, presented on Thursday as part of its world premiere, heralds a new era. Tong Xiangbei, Global CEO of smart Automobile Co., Ltd. speaks of a “milestone of the incredible development phase”. The car is “grown up, cool and embodies beauty”, according to Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer Mercedes-Benz Group AG.
Finally, the Smart grows to a length of 4.27 meters and a wheelbase of 2.70 meters. The five-seater is roughly the size of a Mini Countryman or a VW Golf. The values of the brand’s first SUV, which is built in China, are quite impressive. With a 66 kWh battery, the electric SUV has an unusually large battery capacity for this vehicle class. The range is 420 to 440 kilometers according to WLTP.
On AC columns with up to 22 kW, the Stromer should be able to charge the battery from 10 to 80 percent in three hours. With a DC fast charger, this charging capacity should be possible in less than 30 minutes. In addition, its manufacturer specifies a peak output of 272 hp and a top speed of 180 km/h. According to current information, the vehicle is to be built exclusively with rear-wheel drive and is currently still in the EU approval process. All values are therefore only provisional.
Smart #1: Digital key and “intelligent companion”
The exterior of the Smart #1 is “forward-looking and progressive,” they say. The electric SUV features concealed electric door handles that extend electrically when the driver approaches, frameless doors and a floating halo roof.
In addition, the manufacturers advertise with an extended 360-degree view of the interior. A 12.8-inch screen is mounted in the center of the dashboard, clearly reminiscent of the Tesla Model 3. Smart largely dispenses with buttons for operation. A small display is installed behind the steering wheel, which shows other driving data such as range and charge level in addition to the speedometer.
With a customized infotainment user interface, the car relies on purposeful and human-centric technology to connect people, places and experiences both virtually and in real life, writes Smart. One of the special features is the digital key: users can share the vehicle with friends via an app. The owners should be able to decide which rights they pass on to the passengers. Encryption according to the latest standards is intended to prevent misuse.
With the help of a high-performance computer, over 75 percent of all control units in the vehicle can be updated continuously and remotely. In addition, the driver in Avatar should be at his side as an “intelligent companion” with AI-based voice control.
Market launch at the end of the year
Dirk Adelmann, CEO smart Europe GmbH said: “It is not only a symbol for our new smart approach, but also the core for everything that is to come. With the re-branding we will place an even greater focus on a seamless mobility experience .” Design boss Wagener believes that the SUV could make Smart a “leading design brand”.
There is no official information on the price of the Smart #1 yet. A base price between 35,000 and 40,000 euros is realistic. The market launch in Germany is scheduled for December 2022.
Sources: smart, ADAC