smart #3: Variants explained

After #1, the German EV brand smart (jointly owned by Mercedes-Benz and Geely) is ready to make waves in Malaysia's electric vehicle market with the newly launched #3. The smart #3 is a coupe fastback EV that shares the same Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) platform as the #1. It is offered in three variants locally - Pro, Premium, and Brabus, each designed to cater to different driving needs and preferences. 

Imported and distributed by Pro-net, smart #3 variants are priced as below- 

Variants	Price (on the road, without insurance)
Smart #3 Pro	RM 175,000
Smart #3 Premium	RM 215,000
Smart #3 Brabus	RM 255,000

As indicated in the table above, there is a significant difference in the pricing. So, what does each variant offer to justify the cost difference? Let’s dive deeper to know.

Power and range

The most important distinction among the smart #3 variants is the drivetrain setup. The Smart Pro and Premium trims come powered by a single electric motor while the Brabus comes fitted by a dual-motor setup. The models are also different in terms of battery packs and the driving range. Here’s a detailed comparison - 

Specs	Pro	Premium	Brabus
Drivetrain	Single motor RWD	Single motor RWD	Dual-motor AWD
Max power	272 PS	272 PS	428 PS
Max torque	343 Nm	343 Nm	543 Nm
0-100 kmph	5.8 seconds	5.8 seconds	3.7 seconds
Top speed	180 kmph	180 kmph	180 kmph
Battery	49 kWh LFP	66 kWh ternary (NCM)	66 kWh ternary (NCM)
Range (WLTP)	325 km	455 km	415 km

While the Pro and Premium variants of the smart #3 share the same motor output and performance numbers, the Brabus variant stands out with its higher power output and quicker acceleration. The Pro trim comes with a smaller 49 kWh battery offering the shortest range in the bunch, whereas the Premium and Brabus models utilise a larger 66 kWh unit, with the Premium offering the longest range.

Charging

Speaking of charging capabilities, the Premium and Brabus variants offer faster AC and DC charging in comparison to the base-spec Pro. The charging specs are as follows - 

Specs	Pro	Premium	Brabus
Max. AC charging rate	7.2 kW	22 kW	22 kW
AC charging speed	10-80% in 6 hours	10-80% in 3 hours	10-80% in 3 hours
Max. DC charging rate	150 kW	150 kW	150 kW
DC charging speed	10-80% in 22 mins	10-80% in 29 mins	10-80% in 29 mins

It’s important to note here that only a few big brand EVs (like Porsche Taycan and Audi Q8 e-tron) support 22 kW AC charging in Malaysia, which means the smart #3’s charging game is quite strong. Not only that, but its 150 kW DC charging is also impressive as it is faster than the EVs sold by BYD and Chery.

Dimensions

All variants of the smart # are identical in terms of dimensions as per the following table - 

Specs	Pro	Premium	Brabus
Length	4,370 mm	4,370 mm	4,370 mm
Width	1,844 mm	1,844 mm	1,844 mm
Height	1,556 mm	1,556 mm	1,556 mm
Wheelbase	2,788 mm	2,788 mm	2,788 mm

Features 

While the base-spec smart #3 Pro comes loaded with several essential and modern-day features, the Premium trim adds luxury and advanced tech to the mix. The range-topping Brabus further enhances sportiness with exclusive design elements and performance-related bits. Here’s a detailed list - 

Specs	Pro	Premium (over Pro)	Brabus (over Premium)
Exterior	CyberSparks LED headlamps with DRLs Manual headlamp levelling 19-inch Flux wheels Panoramic Halo roof Hidden tailgate button Frameless doors	Illuminated front grille Luminous side logo Cybersparks LED + Matrix headlights  Dynamic LED tail light 19-inch Torque wheels	Brabus Spoiler AERO package Brabus badging #3 glossy black emblem 20-inch ‘Synchro’ wheels with red brake callipers
Interior	12.8-inch infotainment 9.2-inch digital instrument panel New smart companion “Cheetah”  Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Single-zone automatic AC 5-speaker audio system Powered front seats with heating Wireless charging pad for smartphone Three driving modes - Eco, Comfort, and Sport Leatherette seats PU leather steering Headrest with smart logo	10-inch full-colour head-up display Beats 13-speaker audio system 64-colour ambient light Two-zone air conditioning system with turbine vents Leather seats Ventilated front seats Leather steering with illuminated steering logo	Aluminium sports pedals Brabus mode Red sporty seat belt Brabus Alcantara-wrap steering wheel Mircro-fibre suede seats Headrest with Brabus logo
Safety	Adaptive cruise control Autonomous emergency braking Lane keep assist  Lane departure warning Lane departure prevention Lane change assist  Front collision mitigation support  Rear collision mitigation support  Front and rear cross traffic alert  Blind spot detection Door opening warning Evasive manoeuvre assist Traffic jam assist Highway assist Driver performance monitoring Speed limited information function 360 visual park assist	Adaptive high beam Full autonomous parking  Autonomous parking assist with emergency brakes

Colours

Variants	Pro	Premium	Brabus
Colour choices	Digital White and Meta Black	Digital White, Ceramic Cream, Future Green, Electron Blue, Cyber Silver and Quantum Blue.	Photon Orange, Meta Black, Atom Grey, and Digital White Radiant Red roof and Eclipse Black roof are also available

Which smart #3 variant should you buy?

smart #3 Pro: The base-spec variant comes at an affordable price tag and offers sufficient performance and decent range for city driving. It can be ideal for budget-conscious buyers who do not require frequent long-distance travel.

smart #3 Premium: It is pricer than the smart #3 Pro and offers extended range along with faster charging capabilities and enhanced interior and exterior features. This model can be ideal for those who need a longer-range EV model with luxurious features.

smart #3 Brabus: This is the most expensive smart #3 variant which offers high performance with all-wheel-drive powertrain and rapid acceleration. However, its range is slightly less than the Premium trim. The Brabus also boasts a sportier design and exclusive features. If you are a performance enthusiast looking for a sporty, high-powered EV with exclusive design and features, you can opt for the smart #3 Brabus.

Thus, compare the variants thoroughly and choose the one that best suits your requirements and preferences.

Also read: Lotus Cars Malaysia launches more affordable entry-level Eletre variant - From RM599k, 603hp/710Nm, 600km range