The electric vehicle market today is dominated by bulky SUVs and heavy crossovers. Yet Smart, the brand once synonymous with tiny urban runabouts, is returning to its roots with the Smart Concept #2. This new compact electric car reinvents the iconic two-seater city car-recognizable but noticeably evolved. It’s taller and longer, a shift largely influenced by Mercedes-Benz’s design input.
Smart gained fame for cars small enough to park sideways on city streets. After the Fortwo model was discontinued in 2024, many expected the brand to fully pivot toward larger SUVs. Instead, the Concept #2 signals Smart’s ongoing focus on navigating narrow urban roads. Engineered by Mercedes-Benz designers and built on a Chinese Geely platform, it blends German styling with affordable, modern underpinnings.
Visually, the Smart Concept #2 retains the classic silhouette with two doors, a short hood, and wheels pushed out to the corners. But it has grown larger-now measuring 2,792 mm long, nearly 30 cm longer than the original Smart Fortwo and 97 mm longer than the last electric Smart EQ ForTwo.
This size boost aims to make the car feel modern and comfortable, yet it remains very compact compared to many electric vehicles. It’s 840 mm shorter than the Fiat 500e and almost a meter shorter than the Renault Twingo E-Tech. Positioned between microcars like the Citroën Ami and standard city cars, the Concept #2 occupies a unique niche in urban mobility.
The concept’s design includes bold details that may not reach production: aggressive LED headlights, daytime running lights shaped as the ”#2” logo, a radiator grille styled like a luxury suitcase, and leather straps replacing traditional door handles. The roof sports a gold finish to make the car stand out even more on busy streets.
Underneath, the Smart Concept #2 is built on a new Electric Compact Architecture (ECA). While complete specs are yet to be released, the car promises a driving range of about 400 km on the Chinese Light-duty Vehicle Test Cycle (CLTC). That represents a huge leap forward from the previous model’s roughly 135 km range per charge, making it genuinely competitive for urban commuting.
Charging speeds have been boosted as well, with the battery reaching 80% capacity in under 20 minutes from 10%. The vehicle also supports Vehicle-to-Load technology, allowing you to power external devices like laptops or portable grills directly from the car’s battery. The motor is expected to remain rear-mounted, driving the back wheels to maintain the nimble handling city drivers expect.
The interior details remain under wraps, but Smart promises a premium cabin experience. The two-seater layout lets designers create a surprisingly spacious interior, and with Mercedes-Benz involved, expect high-quality materials and finishes despite the small footprint.
The production version of this new Smart will debut at the Paris Motor Show this October, with sales likely kicking off first in Europe and the UK.
Smart’s Concept #2 marks a fascinating return to the ultra-compact electric city car segment, an area largely abandoned by major manufacturers in favor of SUVs and crossovers. It will be interesting to see if Smart’s blend of German design and Chinese tech can carve out a distinct place among compact electric vehicles like the Fiat 500e and Renault Twingo E-Tech. The success of Concept #2 could influence other automakers’ approach to small electric cars in the years ahead.