Leaked Filing Reveals Specs for Smart #2 Electric City Car
The all-electric successor to the ForTwo returns to the brand's micro-car roots, though US buyers will be excluded.
A regulatory filing with China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has leaked the specifications and images for the Smart #2. The all-electric two-seater marks a strategic return to the brand's identity as a provider of ultra-compact urban mobility.
Developed through a partnership between Mercedes-Benz and Geely, the Smart #2 is powered by a 60kW (80hp) motor capable of a top speed of 140 km/h (87mph). According to the filing, the vehicle is built on Smart's proprietary Electric Compact Architecture (ECA) and utilizes an LFP battery with cells manufactured by CATL. The car is targeted to feature a 35.7 kWh battery, which is expected to deliver nearly 300 km of range under the WLTP cycle. Physical dimensions listed in the filing show two length versions—2,751mm (108.3in) and 2,764mm (108.8in)—with a curb weight of 1,130kg (2,491lb).
A Return to Urban Roots
The original Smart ForTwo became a global icon of city driving due to its minimal footprint. However, following a 2019 joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and Geely, the brand transitioned toward larger vehicles and a new naming convention, such as the Smart #1. The #2 represents a pivot back to the micro-car segment, though it is slightly larger than previous generations of the ForTwo to accommodate modern electric drivetrains and safety standards.
Geopolitical Barriers
The launch of the Smart #2 underscores the rapid production cycles within the Chinese EV industry, where vehicles move from concept to production-ready filings in a matter of months. However, the vehicle's market availability highlights a growing divide in global trade. While the car is planned for China and Europe, it is not expected to be available in the United States. This exclusion is the result of escalating trade tensions, specifically high tariffs and software bans targeting Chinese-made electric vehicles, which effectively block these models from competing in the North American market.
What to Watch
The vehicle is expected to be fully revealed in October, with industry analysts suggesting the Paris Motor Show as the likely venue for the official debut. While the technical specifications are now public via the MIIT leak, final pricing and specific launch dates for European markets remain unconfirmed. This return to the micro-car format suggests that Smart is betting on a resurgence of ultra-compact EVs as European cities continue to implement stricter emissions zones and parking restrictions, forcing a shift away from the larger crossovers that have dominated the recent EV transition.