THE SMART #5 IS THE BRAND'S BIGGEST CAR EVER, AND THE EV IS TECH HEAVY
- The Smart #5 is the brand's biggest vehicle ever, measuring 10 inches longer than a Mini Countryman.
- The #5 features an 800-volt architecture that allows for recharging from 10 to 80 percent in a claimed 15 minutes.
- The #5 also packs three sharp-looking screens, an AI-assisted voice-command system, and a built-in projector and portable speaker.
Americans will remember the Smart car brand as makers of diminutive city cars with cutesy styling that felt just a smidge less dinky than a Little Tikes Cozy Coupe. But since Smart departed the U.S. market in 2019 the brand has undergone a transformation, becoming a joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and Chinese automotive giant Geely and launching a pair of chic crossovers. Now, Smart has unveiled its latest SUV, the midsize #5, taking the brand into uncharted territories as its biggest vehicle yet.
The electric Smart #5 stretches 185.2 inches long with a 114.2-inch wheelbase, a far cry from the Smart Fortwo hatchback's 106.1-inch length and 73.7-inch wheelbase. The Smart #5 is even 10 inches longer than the 2025 Mini Countryman and nearly as long as a Ford Mustang Mach-E. Smart didn't release many details about the #5's electric powertrain but says it utilizes an 800-volt architecture that allows the 100.0-kWh battery to charge from 10 to 80 percent in as little as 15 minutes. The #5 is capable of traveling up to 460 miles on a full charge, according to Smart, although that number comes via China's lenient test cycle.
Smart previewed the new SUV back in April at the Beijing auto show, and the production #5 remains faithful to the original concept. The #5 pairs a squared-off silhouette with smooth surfacing and a purposeful stance. The front end features a distinctive full-width light bar with four oval auxiliary lights in a line beneath the Smart badge, and the same eye-catching motif is echoed in the taillights. The #5 comes fitted with a panoramic sunroof and frameless doors and the door handles sit flush with the bodywork. Just like a Rolls-Royce, the Smart features floating wheel caps that remain upright while the wheels move.
The Smart #5 will be offered in two variants: the Premium and the Summit Edition. The latter gains a roof-mounted light bar and an electric trailer hitch, but it can also be specced with the Adventurers' Collection package for a more outdoorsy look. This adds extra underbody protection, a roof rack, side steps, a storage compartment on the left-side D-pillar, and a small ladder on the right-side D-pillar.
The cabin looks premium, with ambient lighting lining the door panels and center console and glowing behind the massive screens plastered onto the dashboard. The two 13.0-inch displays are complemented by a 10.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 25.6-inch augmented reality head-up display. Smart also says the #5 uses a generative artificial intelligence system for the voice-command system to answer "nearly every query imaginable." The driver can use voice commands for everything from the climate controls and navigation to the music, phone calls, messaging, and certain vehicle controls.
Smart refers to the leather-clad front chairs as "zero-gravity" seats and says they can recline up to a 121-degree angle, while all of the seating in the vehicle can be laid flat together to create a king-sized makeshift bed. The materials look luxurious, from the deep brown leather to the oak wood trim. The interior ambient lighting can be set to 256 different colors and the #5 not only comes with a 20-speaker Sennheiser sound system but also a built-in projector and a portable speaker that can be used outside of the car. The ambient lighting can also be set to pulse with the rhythm of the music.
While the Smart #5 features charming looks and enticing technology, the sharp new SUV won't be offered in the U.S. Smart is instead focusing on its home markets of China and Europe, with deliveries starting in Europe early next year at an as-yet-undisclosed price.
Looking to purchase a car? Find your match on the MSN Autos Marketplace 2024-08-28T21:27:53Z dg43tfdfdgfd