[Auto] Smart #1: info and photos of the electric urban SUV

[Wassim MH]

 

Presented in the form of Concept #1 in Munich in 2021, Smart's new electric SUV materializes with the presentation of the production model on April 7, 2022. We already knew that the model takes the same name as the study, # 1, and therefore designates a total renewal of the German manufacturer, now half-owned by the Chinese group Geely.

It is also thanks to this joint venture between Geely and Mercedes-Benz that Smart was able to survive and embark on a total overhaul. The city car brand reviewed its plans in 2019, removing the thermal variants of the ForTwo and ForFour to keep only the electric. A daring choice, which did not help Smart to become more profitable. The manufacturer has separated from its historic production plant in Hambach (Moselle), sold to Ineos for its 4×4 Grenadier. For the future, the manufacturer created by Nicolas Hayek (founder of the watchmaker Swatch) in the 1990s is obliged to develop a more complete range, especially since the discontinuation of the five-door ForFour, twin of the electric Renault Twingo.

Exterior design: copied and pasted from concept car #1
Thus, it is with an unprecedented urban SUV that Smart intends to relaunch. A very fashionable body, but quite far from the initial concept of Smart, it must be said. With its 4.27 m length, the Smart #1 is close to a current Mini Countryman, a good example of a successful range extension. The model offers a nice wheelbase (2.75 m, barely more than a Fortwo which peaks at 2.70 m) and is relatively compact: 1.82 wide and 1.64 m high. The design is not a surprise, since it takes almost exactly that of the 2021 concept. We find pure lines and a very smooth pebble side, quite far from the standards of excessive aggressiveness on the recent novelties.

The roof, which has a large panoramic window called "halo", gives the impression of being floating thanks to the contrasting color and the design of the quarter window, on which is implanted a logo of the manufacturer. The treatment of the contrasting roof and its rounded shape are reminiscent of the Opel Adam. A rarity on a 5-door model: the SUV has frameless doors. This type of borderless glass is usually reserved for coupes. At the front, matrix LED lights are linked by a light strip, creating a Y-shaped light signature. The rear repeats this recipe with a red light strip over the entire width of the tailgate. Rim size is limited to a maximum of 19 inches. The door handles are concealed and electrically retractable, while a digital key unlocks the vehicle from your smartphone. Via the Smart application, an identifier is given to the car and the vehicle can be opened or closed by whoever has the code: friends, family, etc. This will then allow Smart to offer its vehicle for car sharing.

Interior: modernity and extensive customization
On board, Smart's first electric SUV has a large floating center console almost identical to that of the concept. Its airy side allows for storage on the upper part (including an induction charger) but also an open storage space at the bottom of the center console, here in a gold or white presentation. Behind the steering wheel, 9.2-inch digital gauges are complemented by a 10-inch head-up display. There is also a large central 12.8-inch touch screen, allowing you to control most of the car's functions: air conditioning, navigation, radio, etc. A few shortcut keys (hazard warning lights, defrost, etc.) are placed under the screen, while two oblong aerators are placed on the lower floor.

The interior ambience is completed by an advanced lighting system, including up to 64 colors and 20 levels of intensity to personalize its cabin. This is reminiscent of the big Mercedes! The interior is offered in several colors, including black combined with white inserts or white combined with gold inserts for the launch edition. The audio system is provided by Beats with 13 speakers, an amplifier module and a subwoofer. In the rear, passengers will be pampered with a 60/40 sliding bench seat over 13 cm. Enough to vary the legroom or trunk volume as needed. This can vary from 323 to 411 liters, while a “frunk” (small trunk at the front) can carry 15 liters more. Not huge, but it can serve as storage for charging cables.

Electric only
Because this Smart SUV will only be offered in a 100% electric variant. The SAE technical base provided by Geely makes it possible to embark an electric motor placed at the rear, offering 200 kW. That's the equivalent of 272 hp, which seems like a lot for an urban SUV. This is actually a launch version, which could be joined by a less powerful, and therefore less expensive, version. A more powerful variant like the old Smart Brabus cannot be ruled out either, according to the brand manager.

The electric block develops 343 Nm of torque, and can make the SUV climb up to 180 km/h. The 0 to 100 km/h is displayed at 6.7 s by the manufacturer. In terms of weight, the machine is more of an elephant than a featherweight: 1,820 kg empty, far from the 750 kg of the first Smart Fortwo. This weight is explained in particular by the mass of the on-board batteries. The battery pack offers a capacity of 66 kWh, and would offer between 420 and 440 km according to the WLTP cycle, still in certification. For charging, Smart announces a maximum charging capacity of 22 kW in AC alternating current (from 10 to 80% in 3 hours) or 150 kW in DC fast charging. Thanks to the latter, SUV #1 could go from 10 to 80% in less than 30 minutes.

Produced in China, first deliveries in early 2023
This very first electric SUV from Smart will be manufactured in a Chinese factory in Geely, while the design and the software part have been carried out in Europe. Pre-orders are planned from September 2022, at prices that are still unknown. They should nevertheless exceed €35,000, excluding bonuses. The official marketing will take place, meanwhile, at the beginning of 2023. Three finishes will be offered: the entry-level Pro followed by the top-of-the-range Premium, as well as a launch edition Launch Edition. Sales and maintenance will be carried out within the Mercedes network, with “corners” located in around fifty Mercedes dealerships in medium-sized and larger towns. Online sales are also one of the aspects that the brand intends to develop.

Photos: Clément Choulot, DR.

LINK https://www.auto-moto.com/nouveautes/smart-1-infos-photos-suv-urbain-electrique-333507.html#item=4