- Smart has debuted its first crossover, called the #1, for the Chinese and European markets.
- The #1 is powered by a single electric motor on the rear axle good for 268 horsepower and 253 pound-feet of torque.
- A sleek design helps the #1 achieves between 260 and 273 miles of range on the European test cycle.
Smart has been absent from the American market since 2019, the final model year for its puny EQ Fortwo. Now a joint-venture between Mercedes and Geely (which also owns Volvo, Polestar, and Lotus), the city car brand is still kicking in Europe and China, where it just released its first all-new product in years. Dubbed the #1, Smart’s latest creation is also its first SUV, a modern-looking electric crossover seeking to do battle with the Mini Countryman.
The #1 measures 168.1 inches long, around two inches shorter than the Countryman, but its electric powertrain allows it to have a wheelbase just over three inches longer than the Mini’s. Despite the diminutive footprint, the #1 still weighs 4012 pounds. That EV powertrain consists of a 66-kWh battery connected to a single electric motor on the rear axle providing 268 horsepower and 253 pound-feet of torque. Smart claims a top speed of 112 mph and a range between 260 and 273 miles on Europe’s WLTP test cycle. The #1 can charge from 10 to 80 percent in less than 30 minutes on a DC super-fast charger, according to Smart.
The new Smart design language is clean and contemporary, with a smoothness reminiscent of a bar of soap. The sleek shape is enhanced by flush electric door handles and frameless doors. As is the trend these days, the #1 has a floating roof design, which echoes the color of the trim piece running below the doors, and full-width light bars front and rear. The Smart rides on 19-inch wheels, which are decked out in a checkered design for the Launch Edition.
The interior features lots of brushed metal surfaces, continuing the two-tone color scheme from the exterior. There’s a sizable 12.8-inch infotainment screen and 9.2-inch digital gauge cluster, as well as ambient lighting and a glass roof. The #1 is expected to go on sale in China before it hits the European market, with no pricing details announced yet. While Smart sales never took off stateside, we wonder how the #1 would do in crossover-obsessed America, especially given that the “Smart car” retains fairly good brand recognition despite exiting the market three years ago.
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Source: Motor - aranddriver.com
