Designed by Mercedes but manufactured in China by Geely on its bespoke electric platform, the Smart #1 retains the cutesy look of the concept. At 4270 mm long, 1822 mm wide, and 1636 mm tall, the crossover is by far the company’s largest vehicle ever. It has a generous wheelbase of 2750 mm and weighs a hefty 1,820 kg (4,012 lbs). Consequently, it’s also the heaviest Smart to go into production.

Much like combustion-engined Smart cars of the past, the new #1 is also rear-wheel drive. Its electric motor mounted at the back is good for a substantial 272 horsepower (200 kilowatts) and a near-instant torque of 343 Nm (253 lb-ft). The compact crossover riding on massive 19-inch wheels wrapped around 235/45 R19 tires can reach 112 mph (180 km/h), which is more than enough for this type of EV.

Courtesy of a decent-sized 66-kWh battery pack, the future rival for the BMW iX1 and MINI Countryman EV can cover up to 273 miles (440 kilometers) based on the WLTP cycle. Once it’s out of juice, it takes less than half an hour to charge it from 10 to 80% thanks to support for DC charging at up to 150 kW. When using AC charging at 22 kW, replenishing the battery will require around three hours.

Using those nifty pop-out door handles allows you to gain access inside the impressively minimalist cabin. The Smart #1 does away with most physical buttons since nearly all functions can be accessed through the center screen. The 12.8-inch touchscreen with a full HD resolution takes center stage on the dashboard and is complemented by a rectangular digital driver’s display.

Being a bespoke EV, it comes with a small front trunk that can swallow 15 liters. At the back, the cargo area has a volume varying from 323 to 411 liters depending on the position of the rear bench since it slides forward and aft by 13 centimeters. Also worth mentioning is the panoramic glass roof to give the Smart #1’s cabin an airy vibe.

Sales in Europe are programmed to kick off this September, with the first deliveries to customers planned for January 2023. Pricing details have not been disclosed, but the Smart #1 is expected to start from €30,000.

Source: Smart

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Simply known as the Smart #1, the EV recently completed the vital pre-market tests, which included evaluating the crossover in the wind tunnel. The procedure was conducted at the China Automotive Engineering Research Institute in Chongqing where the future Mini Countryman EV rival registered a drag coefficient of only 0.29. The lower the Cd, the better efficiency to achieve greater range thanks to improved airflow.

The number was achieved by implementing several drag-reducing methods, including door handles that remain flush with the body along with an active grille shutter fitted as standard. The Smart #1 has been designed by Mercedes and will largely retain the concept car’s appearance. We can also see it testing in a cold climate, specifically the far north of China where temperatures dropped to -40 ℃ / °F.

Compared to previous models, the new EV will be substantially larger, stretching at 4290 millimeters in length, 1910 millimeters in width, and 1698 millimeters in height. That makes it not much smaller than the Mercedes EQA. It has a generous wheelbase of 2750-mm wheelbase to create what will be the most spacious Smart model ever, complete with five seats.

Other technical specifications beyond size have not been disclosed, but we do know the Smart #1 will ride on a platform developed by Geely. It’s going to be based on the Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) and will attempt to grab all five stars in the Euro NCAP test. It will be built in China, but Smart plans to sell the EV on the Old Continent as well from 2023.

Source: Smart

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