The Reinvention of an Icon: A Deep Dive into the Smart #3

SMART

The name ‘Smart’ once conjured a very specific image: a tiny, two-seater microcar, ingeniously designed to conquer the tightest of urban jungles. For over two decades, the Smart Fortwo was a symbol of minimalist, city-centric mobility. However, the automotive landscape is in the midst of a seismic shift, and to survive, brands must evolve. Enter the Smart #3, a vehicle that doesn’t just evolve the brand’s legacy but completely reinvents it. This all-electric, coupe-styled SUV is a testament to a new era for Smart—one defined by global partnership, advanced technology, and a bold ambition to compete in the most crowded segment of the electric vehicle market.

A Brief History: From Microcar Maverick to Global EV Contender

To understand the significance of the Smart #3, one must first appreciate the journey of the brand. The original concept, born in the early 1990s, was a collaboration between Nicolas Hayek of Swatch fame and Mercedes-Benz. The idea was to create a fashionable, eco-friendly, and radically small city car. Despite Swatch eventually backing out, Mercedes-Benz pushed forward, launching the first Smart Fortwo in 1998.

For years, Smart experimented with different models like the sporty Roadster and the four-seater Forfour, but the brand struggled to achieve consistent profitability. It remained a niche player, celebrated for its unique concept but limited in its mainstream appeal.

The turning point came in 2019. Faced with mounting losses, Mercedes-Benz (now part of Daimler AG, then Mercedes-Benz Group) announced a transformative 50-50 joint venture with Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, the Chinese automotive giant that owns Volvo, Polestar, and Lotus. The new entity, Smart Automobile Co., Ltd., established a clear division of labor: Mercedes-Benz would be responsible for the exterior and interior design, while Geely would handle the engineering, development, and production from its facilities in China. This strategic partnership provided the capital, engineering prowess, and manufacturing scale necessary to relaunch Smart as a global, all-electric premium brand. The first product of this union was the Smart #1 SUV in 2022, and its sleek, coupe-like sibling, the Smart #3, followed swiftly, signaling the brand’s definitive departure from its microcar roots.

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The Smart #3: Debut and Design Philosophy

The Smart #3 made its world premiere at the Auto Shanghai show in April 2023, with its European debut following at the IAA Mobility show in Munich in September of the same year. Production began in China in late 2023, with European deliveries commencing in early 2024. This vehicle represents the second chapter in Smart’s new story.

Styled by the Mercedes-Benz global design team, the #3 adheres to the “Sensual Purity” design philosophy, which favors clean lines and emotionally appealing surfaces over aggressive creases. Compared to the more upright and boxy Smart #1, the #3 is longer, lower, and wider, with a fastback-style sloping roofline that gives it a distinct “SUV-coupe” silhouette. The design is aerodynamically optimized, boasting an impressive drag coefficient of just 0.27, which contributes to its efficiency and range.

Key design elements include the “CyberSparks” LED headlights connected by a full-width light bar, a muscular “shark nose” front facia, and flush door handles that pop out upon approach. The rear features a similar full-width LED taillight design with a distinctive Y-shaped signature, accentuating the vehicle’s width and modern aesthetic. The overall impression is one of sophistication, sportiness, and premium quality—a world away from the quirky utility of the original Fortwo.

Platform and Powertrain: The Geely Foundation

Underpinning the Smart #3 is Geely’s state-of-the-art Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA). This is a highly flexible, modular EV platform designed exclusively for electric vehicles. It’s the same architecture used by a growing family of acclaimed EVs, including the Volvo EX30, Polestar 4, and Zeekr 001, which speaks volumes about its engineering pedigree. The SEA platform allows for a long wheelbase relative to the car’s overall length, maximizing interior space and enabling excellent driving dynamics with a low center of gravity.

For the European market, most Smart #3 models are equipped with a 66 kWh (62 kWh usable) Nickel Cobalt Manganese (NCM) battery pack. This battery supports rapid DC charging at speeds up to 150 kW, allowing for a 10-80% charge in under 30 minutes. An equally impressive feature is the standard 22 kW AC on-board charger on higher trims, which is a significant advantage over the 7 kW or 11 kW chargers common in the segment, enabling much faster charging at public AC stations or compatible home wallboxes.

2023-Present: Models and Trim Levels Explained

Upon its European launch, the Smart #3 was offered in a well-defined range of trims, catering to different priorities, from range and comfort to outright performance.

1. Pro+

The Pro+ serves as the entry point into the #3 lineup. It features a single electric motor mounted on the rear axle, making it a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) vehicle.

  • Powertrain: 200 kW (268 hp) RWD single motor
  • Battery: 66 kWh NCM
  • 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph): 5.8 seconds
  • WLTP Range: Up to 435 km (270 miles)
  • Key Features: Despite being the base model, the Pro+ is generously equipped with a 12.8-inch central touchscreen, a 9.2-inch digital instrument cluster, a panoramic sunroof, heated front seats, a 360-degree camera, and a comprehensive suite of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS).

2. Premium

The Premium trim builds upon the Pro+ foundation, using the same RWD powertrain but adding significant upgrades focused on range, luxury, and technology.

  • Powertrain: 200 kW (268 hp) RWD single motor
  • Battery: 66 kWh NCM
  • 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph): 5.8 seconds
  • WLTP Range: Up to 455 km (283 miles)
  • Key Features: The enhanced range is achieved through the inclusion of a highly efficient Silicon Carbide (SiC) inverter and a standard heat pump, which improves battery performance in cold weather. Additional features include CyberSparks+ LED headlights with Adaptive Highbeam Assist, a 10-inch colour Head-Up Display (HUD), a 13-speaker Beats Audio sound system, and full leather upholstery. The standard 22 kW AC charger is another key upgrade over the Pro+.

3. 25th Anniversary Edition

To celebrate the brand’s quarter-century milestone, a limited 25th Anniversary Edition was released at launch. It combines the features of the Premium trim with unique design elements inspired by the high-performance Brabus model.

  • Powertrain: 200 kW (268 hp) RWD single motor
  • Battery: 66 kWh NCM
  • 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph): 5.8 seconds
  • WLTP Range: Up to 455 km (283 miles)
  • Key Features: This edition includes all the Premium trim features plus a special white exterior with orange accents, black 19-inch alloy wheels, unique black and white leather seats with integrated headrests, and special “25th Anniversary” badging. It offers the sporty look of the Brabus with the efficiency of the RWD powertrain.

4. Brabus

Sitting at the pinnacle of the lineup is the Brabus model. Continuing the long-standing partnership between Smart and the German tuning house, this version transforms the #3 into a genuine performance EV.

  • Powertrain: 315 kW (422 hp) dual-motor All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
  • Battery: 66 kWh NCM
  • 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph): 3.7 seconds
  • WLTP Range: Up to 415 km (258 miles)
  • Key Features: The Brabus adds a second electric motor to the front axle, providing blistering acceleration and all-weather traction. It features a dedicated “Brabus” driving mode for maximum performance. Aesthetic upgrades include a more aggressive front bumper, ventilation ducts in the bonnet, 20-inch alloy wheels, red brake calipers, and an interior swathed in Alcantara and leather with red contrast stitching. It also includes the full suite of technology from the Premium trim, including the Beats audio system and HUD.

Interior, Technology, and Market Position

Inside, the Smart #3 reflects its Mercedes design heritage with a high-quality, tech-forward cabin. The dashboard is dominated by the large 12.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which runs a custom OS featuring a whimsical 3D animated cheetah avatar that acts as a digital assistant. The system is responsive and feature-rich, handling everything from navigation and media to climate control and vehicle settings.

Despite its sloping roofline, the interior space is generous, thanks to the long wheelbase. The absence of a transmission tunnel creates a flat floor, enhancing rear passenger comfort. Material quality is a notable step up for the brand, with soft-touch plastics, metal-effect trim, and quality upholstery creating a genuinely premium ambiance.

In the marketplace, the Smart #3 competes in the fiercely contested compact electric SUV/crossover segment. Its rivals include the Tesla Model Y, Volkswagen ID.5, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, and its own platform sibling, the Volvo EX30. Smart aims to differentiate the #3 with its unique blend of Mercedes design flair, a high-tech and playful user interface, and the thrilling performance of the top-tier Brabus model.

Future Outlook

The Smart #3, along with the #1, is more than just a new car; it is the physical manifestation of the brand’s new identity. It solidifies Smart’s transition from a quirky European city car specialist into a global premium EV brand with mainstream appeal. The success of this new direction hinges on its ability to convince buyers that the Smart badge now stands for style, technology, and performance, not just small size.

Looking ahead, the flexibility of the SEA platform suggests that the Smart portfolio is likely to expand further. The brand has hinted at future models, potentially a smaller “Smart #2” to connect with its city car heritage, or perhaps larger vehicles to expand its market footprint. The joint venture with Geely provides a stable and powerful foundation for growth, ensuring that Smart has the resources to develop and launch competitive products in the years to come.

In conclusion, the Smart #3 is a compelling and deeply significant vehicle. It successfully sheds the brand’s historical constraints, emerging as a stylish, powerful, and technologically advanced electric SUV. By leveraging the design expertise of Mercedes-Benz and the engineering might of Geely, Smart has not only ensured its survival but has repositioned itself as an exciting and relevant player in the future of electric mobility. The tiny car that thought big has finally grown up.

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