Smart has brought the two-seat electric car format back into the spotlight with the Smart #2, unveiled at the Paris Motor Show. The car starts at €19,990 and uses a 35.8-kilowatt-hour lithium iron phosphate battery, giving it a range of up to 290 kilometres according to the WLTP standard.
This is more than double the range of the previous Smart EQ Fortwo, which had a range of 133 kilometres and did not support direct-current fast charging. The company will open early orders in Europe tomorrow, while deliveries will begin during 2027 after the car completes its certification procedures within the European Union.
A Small Car with a New Platform
The Smart #2 is approximately 2,746 millimetres long, making it about five centimetres longer than the previous EQ Fortwo, while retaining the two-seat body, wheels positioned close to the corners, two-tone paint and split tailgate. Its kerb-to-kerb turning circle is 6.95 metres, a feature aimed at urban use and tight spaces.
The car is based on a new platform called Smart Electric Compact Architecture, with the battery positioned in the cabin floor. A 60-kilowatt motor drives the rear wheels with 130 newton-metres of torque. The company says the model uses the first five-link rear suspension system in its class.
Charging and Equipment
Smart says the battery can be charged from 10% to 80% in about 20 minutes using a direct-current charger. The entry-level Pure variant uses a 7.4-kilowatt single-phase charger, making the same process take about five hours, while the other variants receive an 11-kilowatt charger. The car also supports powering external devices through Vehicle-to-Load, but the usage adapter is sold separately.
The cabin includes a 10.1-inch central display and an 8.8-inch driver display, along with an eight-year connectivity package. Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality and the Smart Pilot Assist system also come as standard equipment on all variants.
Variants and Prices
- Pure: €19,990.
- Pure+: €20,990, with 11-kilowatt alternating-current charging and a heated driver's seat.
- Premium: €24,490, with a glass roof, heated synthetic-leather seats and a seven-speaker Sennheiser sound system.
- Couture Edition: €25,690, with production limited to 999 cars in Europe.
According to Smart, the same starting price applies in Germany, France and Italy. The company will initially sell the car through its retail partners before making online ordering available during the first half of 2027.
What Changes in Practice?
With the #2, Smart regains the advantage of a small footprint, while addressing two of the most prominent limitations of the previous electric Fortwo: its limited range and lack of fast charging. In contrast, the car faces direct competition from the Renault Twingo E-Tech, which starts at approximately the same price in Germany and offers four seats and five doors, although its stated range is 262 kilometres and its fast charging is rated at 50 kilowatts.
Smart #2's success will therefore depend on whether urban buyers are willing to prioritise ease of parking and a length of less than 2.8 metres over the flexibility of a rear seat. The final specifications remain subject to change because the car has not yet completed its European certification.