The production-ready design of the new Smart #2, an electric successor to the Fortwo, has been uncovered ahead of its official unveiling in October. The #2 marks Smart's return to city cars after spending several years launching a range of electric crossovers, including the #5, its biggest model yet.
Due in US dealerships next year, the #2 has been designed to offer what Smart calls "uncompromised urban capability". It will be the smallest EV on sale, looking more like quadricycles such as the Fiat Topolino and the Micro Microlino rather than full-sized models such as the Dacia Spring and Fiat 500e.
View Price on AmazonThe #2 has been co-developed by Mercedes-Benz and Geely, with the former taking the lead on its design and the latter supplying a bespoke architecture designed around its diminutive size. Full details have yet to be confirmed, but new filings with China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) reveal the #2 has a 59 horsepower drive motor and a lithium-iron-phosphate battery pack. The car weighs 2,489 pounds, thanks to it measuring just 9.05 feet long.
Smart previously confirmed the #2 will offer a range of 186 miles and be capable of charging its battery from 10-80% in less than 20 minutes. It will also have vehicle-to-load capability, meaning its battery can be used to power external devices. Smart has also claimed it will have a turning circle of just 22.9 feet, smaller than that required of New York City's yellow cabs.
The #2 will move the entry-level model upmarket while also attempting to improve its interior space within its compact dimensions, using a bench seat rather than two individual chairs. Kai Sieber, head of Smart design at Mercedes, previously said the Concept #2 shows a city car "should spark joy".
Source: autocar.co.uk
