Clever about to be #blessed with its first crossover, # first.
The small electric SUV has been tracked through its final winter test.
Smart has confirmed the upcoming range of Chinese-made models will all have a hashtag followed by a numberwhich it says is “evoking trend-setting in the digital era”.
At this stage, Smart #1 is expected to launch globally in April 2022.
Two prototypes were tracked up close, giving us a look at the interior and exterior of the upcoming model.
Have inspiration from Concept 1 The SUV was on display at the 2021 Munich auto show, the number 1 retains the shape and design cues of the concept.
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Concept 1
Compared to the Concept 1, the spy prototype has larger headlights, as well as additional side air intakes.
Around the sides are larger mirrors, the rear doors open in a conventional fashion, the B and C pillars are thicker, as well as visible cutouts for the flush-mounted door handles.
One of the prototypes also has red painted brake calipers, potentially hinting at a sportier variant.
At the rear, the prototype No. 1 looks extremely similar to the Concept 1. Although it has a slightly different bumper design, it still has a full-width light bar.
If the Concept 1 is anything to go by, the #1 will be around 4.3m long, 1.7m tall and 1.9m wide, with a 2.75m wheelbase.
This will make it the same size as Mercedes-Benz EQA SUV car.
While the interior of the spy prototype is mostly covered, we can see it largely resembles the concept, albeit without the gold accents.
There’s a large Mercedes-Benz-style center stack with several storage compartments, elliptical air vents and a large covered touchscreen infotainment system.
The parked prototype even has a red seat belt to match the exterior paint color visible on the inside of the outside rearview mirror.
The #1, like all future Smart vehicles, will be electric-only, but details about the #1’s powertrain options have yet to be revealed.
Smart was originally founded in 1994 as a joint venture between Daimler and watch manufacturer Swatch.
As development costs for the brand’s first car, the Smart Coupe, increased, Daimler took a majority stake and then full ownership of the brand.
Since its inception, Smart has struggled to turn a profit, and in 2019 Geely bought a 50% stake in Smart.
As part of the joint venture, Smart’s new vehicles are designed by Mercedes-Benz and built by Geely. They will also be built by Geely in China and exported around the world.
Smart’s original factory in Hamback, France, has been sold to chemical giant Ineos, which is starting to build its Grenadier SUV there.
Smart left Australia after the 2014 model year when the previous generation Fortwo was replaced.
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THAN: Smart #1: Confirmed Hashtag naming convention for new Chinese-made models
THAN: Smart reveals new design language with SUV Concept 1
