Smart debuted in the automotive market in 1998, with the city-coupe, the predecessor of the popular fortwo. Now, four years after the creation of the new Daimler-Geely joint venture for the development and production of a new generation of electric vehicles, it is presenting the second model of the joint venture: smart #3, an SUV with coupe-like features, which shares the platform with the #1, specific for 100% electric cars, and will be available in Portugal from March. Prices have not yet been announced, but are expected to start at €43,500, €1,500 more than the smart #1.
The smart #3 is proposed in the national market with the same four equipment lines (Pro, Pro+, Premium, and Brabus), but introduces a fourth option, which corresponds to a commemorative version of the brand’s 25th anniversary. This new limited edition is based on the Brabus version of the #3, adding exclusive elements.
Two numbers above
Compared to the #1, the #3’s design is more sporty, with a focus on more aerodynamic shapes, with a slimmer front and a roofline clearly sloping towards the trunk. However, the brand’s care was also to ensure that the exercise of style does not undermine the practical and functional side of what is the largest smart ever.
The length has increased to 4.44 m (13 cm more than the #1), the width is now 1.84 m (16 cm more), and the wheelbase has also been extended to 2.78 m, a “jump” that translates into generous habitability, especially in terms of legroom for rear passengers. The #3’s trunk is also larger (385 liters compared to 288 liters).
In the front, the console between the seats is huge, and rises towards the dashboard to create a good sense of envelopment, but never with a feeling of tightness. The seats, with good support and integrated headrest, are a great calling card.
Simplified Range
In the launch of #3, smart maintains the strategy of simplifying the offer, with the range splitting into only two versions: with an electric motor of 272 hp; or, in the Brabus version, with two electric motors delivering a maximum of 428 hp. In both configurations, the battery has a capacity of 66 kWh, for a range of up to 455 km – and, in a fast charger at 150 kW, it recovers from 10-80% of the charge in 30 minutes.
A talking cheetah
The reinvention of smart started with the total conversion to electrification, and obviously focused on connectivity as well, as understood in the digital interface and the existing features on board the #3, which even has a virtual assistant, visually animated by a cheetah (it’s a fox in the #1), a mascot that appears moving on the monitor at the top of the dashboard (12.8” and in color), and that gathers all the driving and multimedia information.
