Smart #2 unveiled at Paris Motor Show as electric successor to the Fortwo

A return to Smart's roots

Smart has unveiled the all-new #2 at the Paris Motor Show, a strictly two-door, two-seat electric city car that CarExpert describes as a continuation of the City Coupe/ForTwo line the marque launched with in 1994. The original two-seater was discontinued in 2024, and Carscoops notes the production #2 debuted six months after the Smart Concept #2, with its styling toned down from the concept through redesigned headlight and taillight graphics, smaller alloy wheels, conventional door handles and simplified bumpers. ¹²

Since Geely took a 50 per cent stake in Smart in 2019, the brand's newer models have paired Geely-developed platforms with Mercedes-Benz design work, as CarExpert explains. Unlike the #1, #3 and #5, which used existing architectures, Geely developed the Electric Compact Architecture (ECA) specifically for the #2, and CarNewsChina reports the car was designed by Mercedes-Benz and manufactured by Geely. ¹³

Powertrain, battery and claimed range

At launch, all #2 variants use a rear-mounted electric motor producing 60kW and 130Nm, driving the rear wheels as every previous ForTwo did, though the #2 is electric only. CarExpert points out that torque is actually down 30Nm compared with the fourth-generation electric ForTwo EQ, but the 35.8kWh lithium iron phosphate battery has just over double the capacity of the old ForTwo EQ. Smart claims a WLTP driving range of 290km, roughly double the ForTwo EQ's figure, and the car weighs about 1140kg according to CarExpert. ¹²

Charging support includes up to 65kW DC fast charging, with Carscoops reporting a 10 to 80 per cent charge in 20 minutes, plus vehicle-to-load capability to power external appliances. AC charging is 7.4kW on lower trims and 11kW on the Premium, according to CarExpert. CarNewsChina separately quotes a CLTC-rated range of 410km and attributes the 332km figure in its report to WLTP, a higher WLTP number than the 290km claimed range reported by CarExpert and Carscoops; this discrepancy is not resolved in the sources, so the 290km claim should be treated as the figure most consistently reported to date. ¹²³

Smart claims sportier handling and greater ride comfort than earlier generations, crediting a five-link rear suspension and a low centre of gravity from the floor-mounted battery pack, CarExpert reports. Carscoops adds that the structure uses a new version of Smart's signature Tridion Cell Evo safety cell, and quotes Dr Tilo Schweers, Vice President R&D Europe of smart Europe GmbH: 'Getting the balance right in a car this compact meant tuning every detail, from chassis hard points and steering ratio to the right tyre compound for both city streets and open highways.' ¹²

Dimensions: published figures differ

CarExpert measures the #2 at 2746mm long, 1760mm wide and 1555mm tall on a 1875mm wheelbase, making it 51mm longer and 97mm wider than the fourth-generation ForTwo, with the same height and a wheelbase just 2mm longer. Carscoops independently quotes the same length of 2746mm and says the car retains the original Smart's 6.95-metre curb-to-curb turning radius. ¹²

CarNewsChina, however, lists a length of 2751mm or 2764mm depending on configuration, a width of 1669mm, a height of 1555mm and the same 1875mm wheelbase, and cites a minimum turning radius of 3.35 metres. Its width figure is 91mm narrower than CarExpert's, and its turning radius figure is not directly comparable with the 6.95m curb-to-curb figure quoted by Carscoops without clarification of measurement method. Height and wheelbase agree across all three outlets. ¹²³

Cabin, equipment and the Couture Edition

The strictly two-seat cabin features turbine-style air vents, a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen angled towards the driver and an 8.8-inch instrument display behind the wheel, CarExpert reports. Boot access is via a split tailgate whose glass upper section lifts independently, while the lower section folds down and, with a 120kg load rating, can act as a seat; boot space is rated between 305 and 527 litres depending on front seat position. Carscoops likewise notes a standard 10.1-inch infotainment display, 8.8-inch digital cluster and a mounting base for gadgets. ¹²

Europe will get three trims: Pure, Pure+ and Premium. All versions carry adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, automatic high beams, 7.4kW AC charging, 65kW DC fast charging and external appliance powering, while the Premium adds 11kW AC charging, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, rear collision mitigation, a glass roof, faux leather seats and a seven-speaker Sennheiser sound system, according to CarExpert. Carscoops additionally lists heated seats in the Premium and a broader ADAS suite including Pilot Assist. ¹²

A concept-inspired Couture Edition is limited to 999 units in Europe with a further 999 allocated to China. CarExpert describes unique 16-inch Lyra wheels, matte white paint, a contrasting matte gold roof, gold trim and a grille resembling a designer suitcase with leather straps; Carscoops calls the grille cover a nod to a Luis Vuitton bag and says the edition adds 18mm of length via bumper aero extensions. In China, CarNewsChina reports the Couture Edition is already on order at 112,999 yuan, with immediate orders expected to be delivered within the year, while pricing for other Chinese variants is scheduled to be announced in November. It notes the European-market Couture Edition comes with full Premium specification as standard, including ambient lighting and wireless charging. ¹²³

Price, availability and context

Smart announced a European pre-order price of 19,990 euros for the #2 alongside the global debut, according to CarNewsChina. Pricing had not been formally announced at the time CarExpert published, which reported indications of just under 20,000 euros (about A$32,000), a price point CarExpert notes matches the 3.8-metre five-seat Renault Twingo with a similar range. For the UK, Carscoops reports, citing Autocar, a starting price of £17,900; this remains a report rather than a confirmed Smart announcement. CarExpert also notes that because the #2 is built in China, it attracts a tariff surcharge when sold in Europe. ¹²³

Carscoops positions the #2 well above two-seater heavy quadricycles such as the Citroen Ami and Fiat Topolino in sophistication, instead framing its rivals as four-seater urban EVs including the Renault Twingo E-Tech, Dacia Spring EV and the upcoming VW ID. Up!. Beyond Europe and the UK, the #2 will also go on sale in China and other markets, Carscoops reports. No Australian availability has been announced in the sources; CarExpert's coverage of the reveal makes no statement about an Australian launch, and the reported euro and pound prices are not drive-away figures for any specific market. ²¹