Smart Automobile, Geely’s joint venture with Mercedes-Benz, launched last week its second model, the Smart #3, in China at prices ranging from 209 900 to 289 900 yuan. In euros, that would be between 27 560 and 38.060. That highest price tag is for the Brabus Performance version, of which only 1 999 will be built.

Deliveries of the Smart #3 will start this month already. The European debut for the #3 is expected at the IAA in Munich in September, with a market launch scheduled for the end of the year.

Longer and lower

The Smart #3 is a coupe SUV with a length, width, and height of 4 542 mm, 1 844 mm, and 1 556 mm, and thus longer and wider but lower than the Smart #1. That one was introduced to the Chinese market in April last year, with deliveries starting in September 2022. Since that time, Smart has delivered 28 923 electric vehicles in China.

The #3 builds upon the scalable Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) from Geely, which the Zeekr X also uses, the expected Volvo EX30, the Lotus Eletre, and the #1.

For #3, there are two powertrain options, a single-motor version with 200 kW and a dual-motor version with 315 kW (115 kW plus 200 kW). It allows acceleration times from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds for the single-motor version and 4.3 seconds for the dual-motor. The Brabus is even better with 3.6 seconds.

Three trim levels

There are three trim levels,  Pro+, Pulse, and Premium, with the latter costing 255 900 yuan (€33 595). The battery pack is a ternary lithium battery from CALB and Sunwoda, offered in three flavors for ranges of 520 km, 555 km, and 580 km according to Chinese CLTC standards. But these standards are generally 15 to 20% more favorable than European WLTP.

The ternary lithium battery has high energy density and high charge and discharge efficiency. Still, it is less resistant to high temperatures and degrades faster than the cheaper lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries.

In the interior, occupants get a 12,8-inch wide infotainment touchscreen, seats with integrated headrests, and a Beats sound system with 13 speakers. The minimalistic-modern design is flattered by turbine-style air vents, ambient lighting, and a panoramic sunroof which will be available on the options list.