Smart's Tiny Two-Seater Returns With Double the Range and Faster Charging

Smart’s original Fortwo electric runabout was a master of the urban jungle, but its modest battery meant that any journey beyond the city limits required careful planning. The brand’s new #2, revealed at the Paris Motor Show, seeks to preserve everything that made the original a city favorite while eliminating the range anxiety that dogged it.

The headline upgrade is a 35.8-kilowatt-hour LFP battery pack that delivers a targeted 180 miles (290 kilometers) of WLTP combined range. That figure is roughly twice what the outgoing EQ Fortwo could manage from its mere 17.6-kWh pack. Charging gets a significant boost as well: Smart quotes 65-kilowatt DC fast charging capable of taking the battery from 10% to 80% in about 20 minutes. Vehicle-to-load functionality is also included, allowing the car to power external devices.

Measuring just 108.1 inches (2.75 meters) long, the #2 retains the diminutive footprint and wheel-at-each-corner stance that made the Fortwo instantly recognizable. A short wheelbase yields a curb-to-curb turning radius of only 22.8 feet (6.95 meters). The two-seat layout carries over, but a split-opening tailgate and a surprisingly generous trunk for the car’s size should cover everyday errands.

Underpinning the #2 is a dedicated Electric Compact Architecture. Power comes from a rear-mounted motor rated at 80 horsepower. Wider rear tires and a five-link rear suspension are said to strike a balance between agility and comfort. The occupant-safety structure, now called Tridion Cell Evo, forms the greenhouse, and adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go and Highway Assist is standard.

Inside, the cabin features a bench-style seat, a 10.1-inch central touchscreen, and an 8.8-inch display ahead of the driver. A dashboard element called the Smart Pillar houses accessories. Mercedes-Benz handled the design of the new two-seater, though production takes place in China as part of the Mercedes-Geely joint venture. A key open question remains whether Smart can price the #2 low enough to make it a compelling choice beyond short urban trips.