On the occasion of the Shanghai show, Smart unveils photos of its 100% electric coupe SUV. But the Smart #3 remains discreet about its technical specificities. If the official photos confirm the leaks from the end of 2022, we know more about its equipment. And on its launch date!
It was at the end of last year, mid-November, that the first photos of what was then called Smart #3 without official confirmation appeared on the Net. Clichés coming directly from China while the manufacturer, which was among the first to offer a 100% electric range, now belongs equally to the giant Geely and to Mercedes. All that was missing then was the formalization: it is now done with the publication by Smart of the first official photos and information that can be seen in the press release.
Before getting to the heart of the matter, you may be wondering when this Smart #3 (pronounced ” hashtag three“) will arrive on the roads. And the Sino-German manufacturer confirms that its launch on the European market will take place in early 2024, after a visit next September to the IAA show in Munich.
Fluid lines and improved aerodynamics
As you have surely noticed, the Smart #3 is aesthetically very close to the one that is still rare on our roads, the Smart #1, since it is late. It effectively takes up all the aesthetic codes, with fluid lines, curves, and a piercing gaze with almond-shaped lights connected by a light strip.
So you have to play the game of 7 errors to actually see some differences: the air intake in the bonnet is single and not double, or even the single deflector (compared to two on #1) in the gills of the shield.
The big difference with this #3 is that we are dealing with a coupe SUV. It is therefore the entire rear part that has been modified compared to the “classic” SUV. In profile, we immediately notice the flag receding to the rear, and a look that plays the “fastback”. The visual gain in sportiness of this #3 is also expressed with this spoiler integrated into the tailgate.
A way of course to integrate into a very buoyant segment, in which we find vehicles as different as the Tesla Model Y, Skoda Enyaq Coupé iV, but also the Volvo C40 Recharge. But it is also the way to lower the drag coefficient: it is displayed at 0.27, which, according to Smart, makes it possible to reduce vibrations and air noise.
A larger Smart Coupe #3
Under the large panoramic glass roof, the interior of this Smart #3 also looks like two drops of water to its supposedly more family-friendly alter-ego. We find the feeling of a cocoon with sporty accents which revolves around this large 12.8-inch central screen and its famous intelligent fox which serves as a voice assistant for the driver and his passengers. The 13-speaker Beats audio system takes care of the sound.
In terms of the novelties of this #3, the headrests are integrated into the seats, again to reinforce the sporty aspect. More surprisingly, Smart tells us about an extended wheelbase that gives the impression of a larger interior space. Is the space between the wheels actually increased compared to #1? Is it just an impression of extra space or is it really?
Last November, the first information leaks on the model reported a length of 4.40 meters, 13 cm longer than the #1. In addition, there was talk then of a wheelbase of 2.785 meters, against 2.75 m for the one that is already on sale. Dimensions completed by a width that would be 1.84 for and a height of 1.56 meters. So much data that seems to confirm what Smart vaguely tells us in its press release, but to be checked with the future European technical data sheet. One thing is certain: the platform is still the same, it is the original Geely SEA, the same as on the Zeekr X and the future Volvo EX30.
Smart #3
Source: Auto Home
Source: Auto Home
A Brabus version that pulls out the muscles
If Smart is still stingy in detail, the dimensions are not the only ones that still need to be checked: it is the same for the technical specificities. Here again, it is on the side of unofficial information that you have to look, because nothing accompanies the official photos of the day.
These confirm to us despite everything the presence of two different versions, including one again badged Brabus, in orange (“Orange Photon Metallic” to be precise) in the pictures. And we also know from a previous press release that the Smart #3 will be more powerful than the #1.
Power and autonomy
What still seems to confirm the information revealed at the end of 2022, which reported a version with a 271 horsepower engine, against 268 horsepower and 343 Nm of torque for the # 1. The #3 Brabus will be equipped with two motors, one of 115 kW at the front, the other of 200 kW at the rear for a total of 315 kW, or 428 horsepower. Again, it’s a handful of horses more compared to the #1 Brabus which claims 422 horses. But these figures are to be taken with a grain of salt until the confirmation that we hope for in the summer, ahead of the Munich 2023 show.
On the autonomy side, we expect figures quite close to the Smart #1. The latter announces a WLTP range of 400 to 440 km thanks to its battery with a capacity of 66 kWh. It’s more or less similar to the Zeekr X, which is a bit more upscale.
Price and availability
As we specified above, the marketing of the Smart #3 should take place in China by the end of 2023 then in Europe during the year 2024. The prices are not yet communicated, but they will certainly be higher than the 39,990 euros claimed by the Smart #1 in its entry-level finish.
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