- Smart has teased the #2, ahead of its debut next year.
- The model is an electric successor of the ForTwo city car.
- Mercedes is handling the design for the interior and exterior.
The ForTwo defined the original Smart brand, but it died in 2024 as the company underwent a major revamp. However, a successor is in the works and it’s on-track for a world debut next year.
Following a handful of shadowy teasers this fall, Smart has released the first pictures of the #2. While it looks instantly recognizable, there’s a good reason for this as these are mules outfitted with ForTwo bodies.
More: Smart Will Revive The City Car Everyone Thought Was Dead
That means we can’t decipher much from the images, but Smart noted it confirms the “#2 will stay true to the original’s ultra-compact dimensions.” They added their reinvention of the city car will retain a number of attributes from the original. This includes a two-door and two-seat configuration as well as rear-wheel drive and a “wheels-at-the-corners stance.”
Despite offering plenty of déjà vu, the model will have an all-new interior and exterior crafted by the Mercedes design team. This will give the car a “fresh identity” and a modern feel.
The company didn’t go into specifics, but the #2 should follow in the footsteps of recent models such as the #1, #3, and #5. This means we can likely expect an enclosed front fascia with a light bar that connects the headlights. We also wouldn’t be surprised to find flush-mounted door handles, streamlined bodywork, and a minimalist interior.
Smart is keeping details under wraps, but confirmed the vehicle will ride on the new Electric Compact Architecture (ECA). It will “provide the basis for a next-generation electric drivetrain, advanced safety, and an urban driving experience that’s unlike anything else.”
That’s not a lot to go on, but mules are currently being tested across the globe. Much of the work is being done at a Chinese proving ground, where engineers are focused on dialing in the ride and handling and braking performance. Other facilities are working on battery testing, crash safety, and the performance of the climate control system in various conditions.
While a lot of work still needs to be done, the #2 is scheduled to debut late next year. When it arrives, the model promises to “set new benchmarks for the city car segment that Smart defined almost thirty years ago.”
