{"id":544427,"date":"2026-04-22T10:11:12","date_gmt":"2026-04-22T10:11:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/544427\/"},"modified":"2026-04-22T10:11:12","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T10:11:12","slug":"smart-fortwo-returns-as-premium-city-car-ev-with-186-mile-range","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/544427\/","title":{"rendered":"Smart Fortwo returns as premium city car EV with 186-mile range"},"content":{"rendered":"

Smart is going back to its roots as a city car brand with a fourth generation of the tiny Fortwo<\/a> – due in UK dealerships next year as the smallest electric car on the market.<\/p>\n

Revealed today in concept form ahead of a debut at\u00a0the Beijing motor show<\/a>, the new car \u2013 called #2 in line with Smart’s current naming strategy \u2013 is designed to offer what the brand calls “uncompromised urban capability”.<\/p>\n

The two-seater is based on a bespoke ‘Electric Compact Architecture’ developed by\u00a0Geely<\/a>, which co-owns the Smart<\/a> brand with its original founder Mercedes-Benz<\/a>, which took the lead on the design.<\/p>\n

Full technical details remain under wraps until the production car is revealed at the Paris motor show<\/a> in October, but Smart has confirmed it will offer a range of nearly 186 miles and be capable of charging its battery from 10-80% capacity in less than 20 minutes.<\/p>\n

The Concept #2 also features vehicle-to-load ‘reverse-charging’ capability, which is expected to be rolled out to the final car – unusual for such a small EV.<\/p>\n

Although clearly influenced by Smart’s newer SUVs, the #2 retains the “wheels-at-the-corners” and ultra-compact footprint that defined its forebears – helping to give a turning circle of just 6.95m.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

At just 2792mm long, the concept\u00a0is only around 100mm longer than the previous Fortwo,\u00a0so it will reclaim its position\u00a0as the shortest electric car on sale, undercutting the Fiat 500e<\/a> by almost a metre. Anything smaller,\u00a0like the Citro\u00ebn Ami<\/a> or Micro Microlino<\/a>,\u00a0officially fits into the quadricycle\u00a0category.<\/p>\n

Smart said the new #2 will move its\u00a0entry-level model upmarket while “brilliantly maximising interior space” within its compact dimensions – a product of moving onto a bespoke EV architecture, as\u00a0the old electric Fortwo was based on an ICE car platform.<\/p>\n

The Concept #2\u00a0“elevates the city car beyond mere utility” according to Smart – and while it hasn’t yet revealed\u00a0the\u00a0cabin, it promises to be\u00a0much plusher and more luxuriously appointed than the sparsely furnished original.<\/p>\n

It will still be minimalist, in keeping with an exterior design that’s been “reduced to its essence”, but liberal use of leather, translucent surfacing and two-tone gold paintwork will help\u00a0to cultivate more of a premium aesthetic.<\/p>\n

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