Smart will return to its roots with a new two-seat city car that revives the spirit of the Fortwo, the diminutive model that defined the brand for more than two decades. The company, now a 50/50 joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and Geely, confirmed that the electric-only Smart #2 will debut in late 2026 as the first new entry in a planned product offensive.
The #2, described as an “ultra-compact A-segment vehicle,” will be designed by Mercedes-Benz and built in China, following the same model strategy as Smart’s larger crossovers.
Development of the car, known internally as “project: two,” is in its final stages. Smart executives say the new model will be tailored for dense urban centers, with Europe positioned as its most important market.
“The Smart #2 will shape a new era of individual urban automobility, especially in classic Smart cities like Rome, London, or Paris,” Smart Europe CEO Dirk Adelmann said in a statement.
Years in the making
The decision to greenlight a successor to the Fortwo has been years in the making. Adelmann previously explained that the economics of building a two-seater EV were challenging, with the Fortwo’s historic best year of 100,000 units not enough to justify a dedicated platform.
Smart then explored potential partners and shortening existing Mercedes or Geely architectures, but found none suitable. Eventually, it embarked on a bespoke electric compact architecture and walked the aisle by itself. The feasibility study was finalized after the launch of the #5 midsize SUV, which secured the financial footing for expansion at the low end of the portfolio.
More angular?
Technical details of the #2 remain under wraps, but Smart has made clear that improving safety, driver-assistance features, and driving range were central goals. The previous Fortwo EQ, launched in 2011, struggled with a limited range (circa 160 kilometers) and a lack of fast-charging capability.
Battery technology has since advanced considerably, and Smart insiders suggest that the #2 will need competitive figures to stand against new-generation city EVs from Fiat, Renault, Volkswagen, and Dacia.
Early teaser images suggest a departure from the rounded design language of the Fortwo. The #2 will adopt a more angular silhouette with aerodynamic touches such as a Kamm tail rear and a roof spoiler, intended to maximize efficiency from what is expected to be a relatively small battery pack.
First of three
The new city car will face a challenging European market environment. Tariffs of 18.8 percent on China-built EVs have already forced Smart to raise prices of its #1 and #3 models by about 2,000 euros this year.
Meanwhile, the brand’s European sales have fallen sharply, down 59 percent to 6,983 units through July, according to Dataforce. At its peak under Mercedes ownership, Smart regularly sold more than 100,000 cars annually in Europe and briefly expanded into the US.
The #2 will be the first of three new models set to arrive in Europe over the next three years, signaling a new era for the reborn brand.
