Smart Eyes Compact Crossover Realm Concept #5
At this week's 2024 Beijing Motor Show, smart will preview a car bigger than the brand has ever been.
Concept #5, unveiled Tuesday, is an electric compact crossover with a boxy design highlighted by rugged details such as flared wheel arches, prominent skid plates, chunky off-road tires, and a roof rack with additional lights.
The interior is much more upscale than a conventional Smart vehicle. The dashboard is filled with a digital screen for the instrument cluster, infotainment system, and passenger entertainment. Most controls are located on the infotainment screen, but occupants can also interact with the vehicle via a voice assistant developed by generative AI specialist Cerence.
Concept #5 is mounted on a dedicated EV platform and boasts a battery with a capacity of over 100 kwh. 800 volt electrical system means that fast charging is possible. Smart claims that a DC fast charger can complete a 10-80% charge in just 15 minutes.
The mass-produced fifth car will debut in late 2024, Smart has confirmed. Smart no longer operates in the U.S., but abroad it is offering a new generation of electric vehicles that go beyond the Fortwo's distinctive body style. The first was the #1 subcompact crossover, which debuted in 2022, followed last year by a coupe-like version dubbed #3.
The latest Smart was developed by a Chinese joint venture established in 2019 by Mercedes-Benz and Zhejiang Geely, the parent company of the original Smart. Mercedes remains in charge of the vehicle's design, with the bulk of the engineering and all production handled by China's Geely.
