smart has unveiled its first purpose-built electric car - the #1. Developed as part of a joint venture between Mercedes and Chinese electric car giant Geely, the #1 will be the first of a range of all-electric cars that will be sold both in China and Europe. 

Although smart has traditionally been associated with small cars – the original CityCoupe and ForTwo were famed for their remarkably compact size  – the #1 marks the start of a new era for the brand. At 4.2 metres long and 1.8 metres wide, the newcomer is longer than a Volkswagen ID.3 and tips the scales at a hefty 1,820kg.

The new model will be based on a set of underpinnings developed by Geely and known as the Sustainable Experience Architecture. This universal platform will be used by Geely on a number of new models across its portfolio of brands. The #1 comes with a single 66kWh battery option and has a WLTP figure of between 260 and 273 miles. It will launch with 150kW DC fast charging capability and AC charging at a maximum of 22kW. These specs, according to smart, will allow the #1 to charge from 10-80% in under 30 minutes. 

In terms of layout and performance, the #1 will feature a single, rear-mounted 268bhp electric motor that generates 343Nm of torque. It will be capable of accelerating from from 0-62mph in 6.7 seconds and has a top speed of 112mph.  

The exterior design borrows heavily from the #1 Concept car first revealed in Munich last year and, according to Mercedes design chief Gorden Wagener, is “recognisable as a smart from first glance.” Despite being fully electric, the front of the #1 is dominated by a large air intake, while the side is defined by a distinctive ‘halo roof’ with overlapping C-pillar. The rear incorporates a Mercedes EQ-style full-width lighting strip while the wheel arches house 19-inch alloy wheels. 

Floating 'halo' roof and full-width LED strip give the smart #1 a striking look from the back

A stretched wheelbase of 2,750mm (longer than the overall length of the original smart) promises to deliver distinctly un-smart-like levels of interior space. Thanks to a flat floor and wheels pushed to the corners, the interior appears to offer generous levels of rear legroom. The boot is small though - it can hold 273 litres of luggage with the rear seats in place and 411 litres with the seat backs folded flat. A small 15-litre frunk sits underneath the bonnet for cable storage. 

Up front, smart has incorporated an unusually high centre console that divides the driver and passenger areas. The main dashboard rail hosts a large 12,8” high resolution touch screen with 1920 x 1080 pixels with integrated infotainment system. A second 9.2” full HD digital instrument cluster ahead of the steering wheel and 10’’ Head Up Display (HUD) will ensure that drivers have plenty of information beamed at them.  

Aimed at younger, tech-savvy buyers, the #1 plays host to a raft of connectivity features. A bespoke app will allow owners to lock the electrically-retracting door handles and will incorporate what smart describes as an intelligent AI avatar that can be instructed to execute simple commands. Over the air (OTA) updates will ensure that the smart’s systems are constantly running the latest evolution of the brand’s software. The #1 will initially be offered as a special Launch Edition which features gold interior trim, halo roof and white seating facings.  

The smart #1 is set to be homologated for the European market later this year, which would suggest that a UK introduction looks likely for early 2023. Production will take place in China, with the domestic market expected to be the first to receive the car. smart has yet to make any announcements relating to price, but given the specification and size, Electrifying.com would expect it to sell for between £32,000 and £36,000 when order books open. 

Smart #1 will be built in China and is expected to come to the UK in 2023 with a price tag of around £32-36,000.