{"id":83481,"date":"2025-09-03T11:23:03","date_gmt":"2025-09-03T15:23:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/?p=83481"},"modified":"2025-09-03T11:23:03","modified_gmt":"2025-09-03T15:23:03","slug":"smart-fortwo-revival-announcement-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/?p=83481","title":{"rendered":"Smart Is Bringing Back Its Tiny City Car As An EV"},"content":{"rendered":"<ul>\n<li>The Smart #2 is a planned two-seat minicar, to be introduced in 2026.\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>It is designed by Mercedes-Benz, but will be made in China.<\/li>\n<li>It will be available in China and Europe, plus some unspecified &#8220;global markets.&#8221;\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Smart started out as a cheap minicar brand thought up by the watch company Swatch. When it was sold mostly to China&#8217;s Geely (with Mercedes-Benz retaining a stake), it morphed into a premium brand that seems to have lost its way <a href=\"https:\/\/insideevs.com\/reviews\/768097\/mini-countryman-se-2025-review\/\" data-inline-widget=\"internal-links\" data-type-id=\"0\" data-params=\"%7B%22article_edition_id%22%3A%22768097%22%2C%22section%22%3A%222%22%2C%22alias%22%3A%22mini-countryman-se-2025-review%22%7D\">more than some say Mini has<\/a>. Its minicar roots are gone, replaced with not-so-small hatchbacks and crossovers sold for a not-so-cheap price.<\/p>\n<section class=\"widget-newsletter\" contenteditable=\"false\" draggable=\"true\" data-widget=\"widget-newsletter\" readability=\"-19.086614173228\">\n<\/section>\n<p>Things are about to change, though. On Tuesday, Smart announced that it\u2019s trying its hand at the minicar segment again.<\/p>\n<p>The forthcoming two-seat car will be called the #2 and will be built on an entirely new vehicle platform <a href=\"https:\/\/insideevs.com\/news\/691940\/smart-1-crossover-ev-cheaper-lfp-battery\/\" data-inline-widget=\"internal-links\" data-type-id=\"0\" data-params=\"%7B%22article_edition_id%22%3A%22691940%22%2C%22section%22%3A%221%22%2C%22alias%22%3A%22smart-1-crossover-ev-cheaper-lfp-battery%22%7D\">different from the existing #1, #3<\/a>, and #5. Tong Xiangbei, global CEO of Smart, said it is much harder to develop a new model and architecture for a small car than it is to make a larger one. Smart says this model architecture was developed specifically for ultra-compact minicars.<\/p>\n<section data-is-mosaic=\"0\" contenteditable=\"false\" draggable=\"true\" data-widget=\"image\" data-border=\"\" data-id=\"8236486\">\n        <span class=\"svg-search\"><br \/>\n            <svg>\n                <use xlink:href=\"https:\/\/insideevs.com\/design\/dist\/critical\/icons\/sprite-common-0-1de6c82323269ad4e75a31f5f21e741f.svg#semidir\"\/>\n            <\/svg><br \/>\n        <\/span>\n    <picture><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"&#10;            https:\/\/cdn.motor1.com\/images\/mgl\/nAgyMR\/s5\/smart-2.webp 213w,&#10;            https:\/\/cdn.motor1.com\/images\/mgl\/nAgyMR\/s6\/smart-2.webp 445w,&#10;            https:\/\/cdn.motor1.com\/images\/mgl\/nAgyMR\/s4\/smart-2.webp 889w,&#10;            https:\/\/cdn.motor1.com\/images\/mgl\/nAgyMR\/s3\/smart-2.webp 1280w,&#10;            https:\/\/cdn.motor1.com\/images\/mgl\/nAgyMR\/s2\/smart-2.webp 1440w,&#10;            https:\/\/cdn.motor1.com\/images\/mgl\/nAgyMR\/s1\/smart-2.webp 1920w&#10;        \" sizes=\"(max-width: 767px) calc(100vw - 24px), (max-width: 1023px) calc(100vw - 48px), 644px\"><source type=\"image\/jpeg\" srcset=\"&#10;            https:\/\/cdn.motor1.com\/images\/mgl\/nAgyMR\/s5\/smart-2.jpg 213w,&#10;            https:\/\/cdn.motor1.com\/images\/mgl\/nAgyMR\/s6\/smart-2.jpg 445w,&#10;            https:\/\/cdn.motor1.com\/images\/mgl\/nAgyMR\/s4\/smart-2.jpg 889w,&#10;            https:\/\/cdn.motor1.com\/images\/mgl\/nAgyMR\/s3\/smart-2.jpg 1280w,&#10;            https:\/\/cdn.motor1.com\/images\/mgl\/nAgyMR\/s2\/smart-2.jpg 1440w,&#10;            https:\/\/cdn.motor1.com\/images\/mgl\/nAgyMR\/s1\/smart-2.jpg 1920w&#10;        \" sizes=\"(max-width: 767px) calc(100vw - 24px), (max-width: 1023px) calc(100vw - 48px), 644px\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.motor1.com\/images\/static\/16x9-tr.png\" alt=\"Smart #2\" width=\"16\" height=\"9\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><br \/>\n    <\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<p>Photo by: smart<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p>Other than that, we don\u2019t know too much more about the forthcoming #2. The preview images show a parking space markedly shorter than its existing models, with the text \u201creserved for #2\u201d. A silhouette of the #2 suggests it&#8217;ll be roughly the same shape and size as previous Smart city cars, so it should deliver the same legendary parkability as those earlier models. Smart says the vehicle is in its final design and testing phases and will launch in late 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Of course, this isn\u2019t the first electric Smart; the Smart Electric Drive was introduced in 2007 (2011 for the U.S.). Smart also became an electric-only brand in the U.S. before it left our market entirely in 2019. Under its new Chinese ownership, it specializes in EVs, with three on sale today. Unfortunately, that short wheelbase limits the amount of battery that the car can take. The final generation <a href=\"https:\/\/insideevs.com\/news\/319685\/video-smart-fortwo-electric-drive-the-ultimate-city-ev\/\" data-inline-widget=\"internal-links\" data-type-id=\"0\" data-params=\"%7B%22article_edition_id%22%3A%22319685%22%2C%22section%22%3A%221%22%2C%22alias%22%3A%22video-smart-fortwo-electric-drive-the-ultimate-city-ev%22%7D\">Smart ED<\/a> only had a 16.5 kWh battery, good for up to 58 miles of range on the EPA cycle.<\/p>\n<p>Will this come to the U.S? It\u2019s not likely. The old Smart sold pretty dismally. However, Smart says this model will make it to both Europe and China, along with some other &#8220;global markets.&#8221; If you\u2019re in Europe and looking to get your two-door, two-seat EV fix, then stay tuned. Smart\u2019s returning to its roots late next year.<\/p>\n<p><em>Contact the author:\u00a0<a href=\"mailto:Kevin.Williams@insideevs.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Kevin.Williams@insideevs.com\u00a0<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<section class=\"relatedContent-new\" contenteditable=\"false\" draggable=\"true\" data-widget=\"related-content\" data-widget-size=\"content\" data-params=\"%7B%22type_id%22%3A0%2C%22title_id%22%3A%22%22%2C%22items%22%3A%5B%7B%22article_edition_id%22%3A%22754413%22%2C%22title%22%3A%22Smart%E2%80%99s%20%235%20EV%20Challenges%20Tesla%20With%20400%20KW%20Charging%22%2C%22alias%22%3A%22smart-5-crossover-specs-charging-range%22%2C%22section%22%3A%221%22%2C%22is_video%22%3A%220%22%2C%22images%22%3A%7B%22s5%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.motor1.com%2Fimages%2Fmgl%2FmMq2Eq%2Fs5%2Fsmart-5-summit-edition-2025.jpg%22%7D%7D%2C%7B%22article_edition_id%22%3A%22758632%22%2C%22title%22%3A%22Lynk%20%26%20Co%20Z20%3A%20A%20Better%20Volvo%20EX30%20That's%20Ready%20To%20Take%20On%20Europe%22%2C%22alias%22%3A%22lynk-z20-02-first-drive%22%2C%22section%22%3A%222%22%2C%22is_video%22%3A%220%22%2C%22images%22%3A%7B%22s5%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.motor1.com%2Fimages%2Fmgl%2F7Z34QP%2Fs5%2Flynk-co-top-1.jpg%22%7D%7D%2C%7B%22article_edition_id%22%3A%22769113%22%2C%22title%22%3A%22I%20Drove%20The%20BYD%20Seagull.%20This%20%248%2C000%20Chinese%20EV%20Is%20Scary%20Good%22%2C%22alias%22%3A%22byd-seagull-good-video-drive%22%2C%22section%22%3A%222%22%2C%22is_video%22%3A%221%22%2C%22images%22%3A%7B%22s5%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.motor1.com%2Fimages%2Fmgl%2FJOVqqK%2Fs5%2Fbyd-seagull-video-top.jpg%22%7D%7D%2C%7B%22article_edition_id%22%3A%22760434%22%2C%22title%22%3A%22BYD%20Dolphin%20Surf%3A%20Europe's%20BYD%20Seagull%20Never%20Feels%20Cheap%22%2C%22alias%22%3A%22byd-dolphin-surf-europe-debut%22%2C%22section%22%3A%222%22%2C%22is_video%22%3A%220%22%2C%22images%22%3A%7B%22s5%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.motor1.com%2Fimages%2Fmgl%2FE6p9ve%2Fs5%2Fdolphin-surf.jpg%22%7D%7D%5D%7D\">   <\/section>\n<p>                                                                        <!-- new gallery place, attached gallery --><\/p>\n<div class=\"group isBottomShare mb-spacing-md-lg\">\n<p>\n                                    Share this Story                                <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Smart #2 is a planned two-seat minicar, to be introduced in 2026.\u00a0 It is designed by Mercedes-Benz, but will be made in China. It will be available in China and Europe, plus some unspecified &#8220;global markets.&#8221;\u00a0 Smart started out as a cheap minicar brand thought up by the watch company Swatch. When it was [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":83482,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-83481","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-e-cars"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/83481","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=83481"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/83481\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/83482"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=83481"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=83481"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=83481"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}