More details about Smart #5 production version released

The new Smart #5 is the brand’s largest model yet and its most powerful, putting out more than 450 kW/600 hp in its most potent form. Smart is 50/50% owned by Mercedes and Geely and builds its cars in Xi’an, central China.

The new crossover, which rivals, for example, a VW ID.4, was shown in concept form at the Beijing Motor Show earlier this year, but official specifications remained under wraps. Now, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has published the first pictures of the production car, revealing its final design and disclosing some key technical specifications.

Almost 470 kW

The headline figure is the 468 kW/637hp output of the top version with twin motors, which outpunches the most potent version of the smaller #1 and #3 crossovers by more than 200 hp. In fact, it is even more powerful than the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N or Kia EV6 GT, for example.

However, unlike its performance-focused siblings #1 and #3, it does not appear to wear Brabus branding. Full performance figures have not been detailed yet, but so equipped, Smart’s new SUV is expected to hit 100 kph from a stand in less than 3 seconds. The top speed will be 200 or 210 kph.

There will be a less potent twin-motor option with 420 kW/579 hp and a pair of single-motor, rear-wheel driven cars with either 245 kW/335 hp or 265 kW/358 hp.

Two battery types

The cars with only one motor in the rear will use lithium-ion-phosphate (LFP) batteries, while the AWD models with two motors use lithium-ion batteries.

Battery capacities have not yet been released. However, the brand has already confirmed it will be available with more than 100kWh of capacity in its longest-range form and will be equipped with 800-volt charging architecture for 10-80% top-ups in 15 minutes.

Measuring 4705 mm long by 1920 mm wide and 1705 mm tall, the #5 is a little bit larger than the already mentioned VW ID.4 rival and is a close match in size for the new Peugeot 5008. Nevertheless, it will come with only five seats rather than the seven-seat option the Peugeot can offer. At 2,250 to 2,450 kg, the new Smart is certainly not a lightweight either.

More road-focused?

Design-wise, it stays true to the straight-backed, blocky proportions of the concept car shown in Beijing,  but it swaps the show car’s off-road ethos for a more road-focused positioning, sitting lower and with a more overt urban billing.

No pictures of the interior have been released, but the concept’s digital-heavy, minimalist arrangement is thought to give a strong indication of what the final cabin will look like. Of course, the production version won’t have the counter-opening doors of the prototype.

The #5 was previously tipped to come to the European market in 2025, with a price starting around €40,000, but the possible imposition of new import tariffs on Chinese-made EVs in Europe raises questions about the car’s viability for export.