Smart #1 Preview

Although Smart has traditionally been associated with small cars – the original CityCoupe and ForTwo were famed for their remarkably compact size – the #1 marks the start of a new era for the brand. At 4.2 metres long and 1.8 metres wide, the newcomer is longer than a Volkswagen ID.3 and tips the scales at a hefty 1,820kg. 

We haven’t got behind the wheel yet, but we have had a good poke around the car and been taken for a passenger ride by one of the company's big bosses, Which has given us a reasonable idea of how the car behaves. 

The new model will be based on a set of underpinnings developed by Geely (owner of Lotus, Volvo, Polestar, among others) and known as the Sustainable Experience Architecture. 

It means the #1 comes with a single 66kWh battery option and has a WLTP figure of between 260 and 273 miles. It will launch with 150kW DC fast charging capability and AC charging at a maximum of 22kW. 

These specs, according to Smart, will allow the #1 to charge from 10-80% in under 30 minutes. In terms of layout and performance, the #1 will feature a single, rear-mounted 268bhp electric motor that generates 343Nm of torque. It's capable of accelerating from from 0-62mph in 6.7 seconds and has an entirely unnecessary top speed of 112mph. From the passenger seat it feels properly fast too. 

That 268bhp is the same as the big, posh cars like an Audi Q7 and in a relatively small car like the Smart, it means it accelerates away from a standstill in a way which will surprise most sportscars. 

It feels firm and sporty over the bumps too, which might not be good news for drivers who value comfort over cornering speeds but it should be fun on a twisty road. 

We wouldn't say it looks sporty, but it looks modern and fresh. It’s a bit squat, but is helped by full width lightbars front and back, and the two-tone paint scheme. It’s not an aggressive-looking car, but neither is it overly cute. 

Smart has made sure that the bulbous shape makes the best use of interior space, and that the user interfaces are all top notch. The wheelbase – the space between the wheels – is 2,750mm, making it is longer than the overall length of the original Smart. 

This promises to deliver distinctly un-Smart-like levels of interior space. Thanks to a flat floor and wheels pushed to the corners, the interior offer generous levels of rear legroom. 

The boot is small though - it can hold 273 litres of luggage with the rear seats in place, compared to 385 litres in a Volkswagen ID.3. A small 15-litre frunk sits underneath the bonnet, which is largely useless unless you need to hide a packet of wine gums. Smart say is will hold a charge cable and have the photos to prove it, but you’ll need super packing skills to cram it in. 

In the cabin, Smart has incorporated an unusually high centre console that divides the driver and passenger areas. The main dashboard rail hosts a large 12.8” high resolution touch screen. A second 9.2” digital instrument cluster ahead of the steering wheel and 10’’ Head Up Display (HUD) ensures that drivers have plenty of information beamed at them. 

Smart says the car is aimed at younger, tech-savvy buyers, so it plays host to a raft of connectivity features. A bespoke app will allow owners to lock the electrically-retracting door handles and will incorporate what Smart describes as an intelligent AI avatar that can be instructed to execute simple commands. 

The Smart #1 is set to be homologated for the European market later this year, which would suggest that a UK introduction looks likely for early 2023. Production will take place in China, with the domestic market expected to be the first to receive the car. 

Smart has yet to make any announcements relating to price, but given the specification and size, Electrifying.com would expect it to sell for between £32,000 and £38,000 when order books open. Don’t expect to get the cheaper versions first though. The #1 will initially be offered as a special Launch Edition which features gold interior trim, halo roof and white seating facings. 

Would we buy one? It certainly has the ingredients of a really interesting car. We wish the boot was bigger and would swap some of the speed for a softer ride and cheaper price. Nearly £40,000 for a Smart will be a big ask for many buyers.