Smart #3: The Future Electric SUV Spotted!

While the Smart #1 is not yet on sale in France, the first images of the Smart #3, a larger electric SUV, have leaked in China.

If you haven’t kept up with Smart’s recent news, here’s a quick recap. The small manufacturer, owned by Mercedes-Benz Group, has been facing numerous commercial difficulties. The German brand has thus refocused on electric models and has, on this occasion, partnered with the Chinese giant Geely, which now holds 50% of Smart’s capital.

The first model resulting from this partnership is called Smart #1, a stylish electric SUV with a starting price of €39,990, set to be delivered in the second quarter of 2023.

Upscaling for the Smart #3

But Smart does not intend to stop there and will soon offer a full lineup, including the upcoming Smart #3 SUV, which can already be considered the largest in Smart’s history.

According to our initial information, it will also be launched in 2023 and features a much more mainstream design than its smaller sister, the Smart #1. Some will also see it as a nod to Volkswagen’s new electric range, with strong aesthetic similarities between this Smart #3 and the Volkswagen ID.4, especially at the front.

Dimensions announced by Chinese automotive sites indicate a length of 4.40 meters and a wheelbase of 2.76 meters, promising ample interior space. Likely larger than the Mini Countryman, its main rival. Numerous customization options will be available, starting with exterior colors, which will be very numerous, and wheel designs. In standard version, the Smart #3 features 19″ wheels with 245/45R19 tires, while the Brabus model opts for 20″ tires with 245/40R20.

Top-tier performance

On the technical front, the Smart #3 will be available with a 156 hp front-wheel drive version and a four-wheel drive version with 272 hp. Rumors even suggest that the fiery Brabus version could develop up to 428 hp thanks to its two electric motors.

Nothing specific has leaked about battery capacity, but it is likely that the Smart #3 will adopt the same figures as the current Smart #1, equipped with a 66 kWh unit. Lastly, the dashboard should resemble that of the current model in broad strokes.

Read also: Smart #1: starting at €40,000