Smart’s transformation continues as the company has unveiled the new #5 crossover. It’s a far cry from the old ForTwo as the model is a premium mid-size SUV with a high-tech interior worthy of a Mercedes. Set to arrive in Europe early next year, the crossover features a distinctive face with “oblong headlights” that are connected by a thin illuminated strip as well as a series of oval-shaped lights. Moving further back, there’s plastic body cladding and streamlined bodywork. Designers also gave the model flush-mounted door handles and aerodynamically optimized wheels that feature floating center caps just like a Rolls-Royce. They’re joined by a flowing greenhouse and prominent D-pillars that sport the Smart logo.
Customers looking for something more
rugged can opt for the Summit Edition. It adds a roof-mounted light bar, side
steps, and a ladder that helps to provide access to the included roof carrier.
The model also has underbody protection, an electric trailer hitch, and an
external storage compartment that echoes the one found on the Land Rover
Defender. In terms of size, the #5 measures 4,705 mm long and
has 2,900 mm between the wheels. To put that into perspective,
the Mercedes GLC is 13 mm longer but has a 28 mm shorter wheelbase.
The upscale styling continues inside as
customers will find premium leather, oak wood trim, and zero-gravity front
seats that recline up to 121 degrees. The model also sports a 256-color ambient
lighting system and a 21-speaker Sennheiser audio system. While the interior is
elegant, it’s dominated by a 10.3-inch digital instrument cluster and two
13-inch displays. The one in the center operates as an infotainment system and
features a lion avatar named Leo as well as a “state-of-the-art generative AI
voice assistant [that] uses a variety of sources to provide precise answers to
almost any question.” Sticking with the technology theme, there’s a 25.6-inch
augmented reality head-up display.
Rear passengers aren’t treated like
second-class citizens as they’ll find heated seats with adjustable backrests.
The model also has an “electric sunshield” as well as “airplane-style LED
reading lights with a ‘first class’ setting” and a comfort mode that offers
passengers more legroom by, presumably, moving the front seats forward. in the
cabin. Buyers will also find 34 storage compartments, a frunk, and a spacious
cargo area that can hold up to 1,530 liters of luggage.
Smart was coy on powertrain details, but
confirmed the model has a 100 kWh battery pack that provides over 740 km of range in the CLTC cycle. The company also revealed the crossover
has 800V technology as well as a super-charging function that enables the
battery to go from a 10% to 80% charge in 15 minutes. While Smart played dumb,
China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has previously revealed
the crossover will have a rear-mounted motor with outputs of 335 hp and 358 hp. There will also be dual-motor all-wheel
drive systems that pair a 221 hp front-mounted electric motor
with either a 358 hp or 416 hp rear motor.
