MERCEDES-GEELY

Smart re-emerged as a compact electric crossover

Smart began the electrification of its offering with the debut of the Smart #1 compact electric crossover, which represents a major departure from this company from previous products. The model is designed to appeal to a broad customer base with a smooth look, modern technology and an all-electric drive.

The car is 4.27 m long, 1.82 m wide and 1.64 m high, and the wheelbase is 2.75 m. The weight of the car is not small, as is usual for electric models, and is 1820 kg.

The Smart #1 is equipped with a 272hp (200kW) electric generator with a maximum torque of 343Nm, and power is transmitted to the rear wheels. The nickel-cobalt-magnesium battery has a capacity of 66kWh, and the maximum speed is 180km/h.

Charging a battery from 10% to 80% capacity takes about three and a half hours if using a 22kW charger and drops to 30 minutes with a 150kW charger. Smart published data that the range is from 420km to 440km according to the WLTP cycle. The built-in technology allows software improvements via the Internet for 75% of the engine operation regulation system and battery parameters, so the autonomy should increase in the future.

The cabin is technologically very advanced, and the emphasis is on the 3D user interface that can be used with voice commands. Passengers have access to a central screen with a diagonal of 12.8 inches, and in front of the driver is a 9.2-inch digital panel.

For now, Smart has not announced the start date for the sale or the starting price, but the crossover is expected to arrive first in the Chinese market and then in Europe. Smart became a German-Chinese company when Mercedes partnered with Geely.

Mundoquatrorodas