Smart has released official sketches of the Concept #5, offering a glimpse of a production model set to debut later this year. The largest and most spacious Smart to date will be unveiled in concept form on April 25 at the Beijing Auto Show, with production slated for the second half of 2024. The #5 will join the #1 and #3 crossovers in Smart’s lineup, adopting a more adventurous stance.
The third model co-developed by Geely and
Mercedes-Benz, Smart says that the #5 will be its “most spacious and versatile
vehicle to date,” aimed at customers with an “active and open-minded
lifestyle.” While Smart has described it as a premium mid-size model, we
suspect it may be positioned towards the upper end of the compact segment, akin
to the Mercedes GLB. We’ll know for sure after its debut next week.
The teaser depicts a boxy SUV with rugged
styling cues and a generous ground clearance, distancing itself from the
automaker’s urban vehicle lineup. The #5 has muscular fenders, an upright tail,
short overhangs, and massive wheels which are always exaggerated in sketches.
The interconnected lighting units that resemble a pair of sunglasses are a
reference to the #1 and #3 albeit with a boxier shape. The concept also has a
fancy roof rack that integrates inflatable chairs, winterboards, and a folding
shovel. Finally, we get to see the comfy seats inspired by donuts, and a few
camping-related accessories like an inflatable mattress, a hammer, a
flashlight, and a portable bluetooth speaker.
The company didn’t disclose the technical
specifications, but it’s evident that the #5 will be longer than the #1 and #3,
which measure 4,270 mm and 4,440 mm respectively.
Given Smart’s ownership by Geely, the #5 will likely share the SEA platform
with similarly-sized offerings from Zeekr, Polestar, and Volvo. It’s very
likely that the EV will feature dual electric motors, providing it with AWD
capability. We’ll discover more about the Smart Concept #5 on April 25 at the
2024 Beijing Auto Show. The company has confirmed that the production model
will debut in the second half of 2024.